The Foundation of Wesley Woods has announced the honorees for its 2025 Heroes, Saints & Legends Awards. The awards will be presented at the 36th annual Gala, scheduled for September 18, 2025, at Flourish in Buckhead. This prestigious event celebrates individuals in business and philanthropy who have made lifelong contributions to Atlanta's community through achievement, leadership, and service.

The distinguished honorees for 2025 are:

• Doug Hooker: The retired Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, current Special Professor of Practice at Georgia State University's Urban Studies Institute, and Board Chair of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, among others.

• Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker: The City Attorney for Atlanta and former County Attorney for Fulton County, as well as an administrative partner at Johnson & Freeman, LLC. A trailblazer in the legal community, she was the first person of color elected President of the State Bar of Georgia.

• Nancy Gordy Simms: Chairman of the Board and retired Chief Executive Officer of The Varsity Restaurants, Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame inductee, and emeritus member of the Reinhardt University Board of Trustees.

The Heroes, Saints & Legends Gala plays an essential role in supporting over 1,800 older adults residing in Wesley Woods residential communities across North Georgia. Sponsors and attendees provide critical funding for charitable care, pastoral care, and innovative wellness programming. Since 1990, the Gala has honored 117 exemplary leaders and raised over $8.7 million for the Foundation of Wesley Woods.

Diane Vaughan, president of the Foundation for Wesley Woods, praised the honorees for their remarkable careers and civic contributions. “Patrise Hooker’s outstanding service to our city and the legal profession, Doug’s impactful work in urban development and public policy, and Nancy Simms’ legacy in hospitality truly embody the ideals of our annual honors,” said Vaughan.

Vaughan highlighted their contributions to Atlanta’s civic landscape. Hooker’s leadership spans organizations such as the Atlanta Housing Council, the Fox Theatre, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Perkins-Hooker serves as Board Chair for Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless and the Emory Business School Alumni Association. Simms has provided board leadership at Reinhardt University and Feed My Lambs Christian Schools and serves as a trustee for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, formerly Scottish Rite.

Corporate sponsorships for the 2025 Gala are currently available, and individual tickets will be available in July. “Corporate sponsorships play a crucial role in the success of Heroes, Saints & Legends and enable our older adults to thrive,” said Vaughan.

The Heroes, Saints & Legends Gala will take place on Thursday, September 18, at Flourish by Legendary Events, located at 3143 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA. For more information about sponsorships, the 2025 honorees, and the Gala, visit www.wesleywoods.org/heroes.