Buz Stone “Lake Rabun Cares” Award
The Buz Stone “Lake Rabun Cares” Award is presented each year to an LRA Member who reflects the spirit of LRA member Buz Stone, a long-time Executive Director of the Lake Rabun Foundation, and his work to build goodwill of the Lake Rabun Association through service to the broader Rabun County community.
The Lake Rabun Foundation awards a $5,000 grant to a Rabun County charitable organization selected by the recipient of the Buz Stone Award in recognition of his/her service to the community.
Criteria
Any LRA member can nominate an eligible member for the Buz Stone Award by completing the nomination form and submitting it no later than May 15th to Steve Raeber by email or mail as noted on the form.
2026 BUZ STONE AWARD RECIPIENT
Greg & Laura Rhodes
Greg and Laura Rhodes were recognized at the Lake Rabun Association’s Memorial Day meeting as recipients of the 2026 Buz Stone “Lake Rabun Cares” Award, which honors LRA members for their good work in the Rabun community.
Since moving to Lakemont, Greg and Laura have become fully engaged in the community, serving in numerous leadership positions within the LRA. Both currently serve as trustees of the Lake Rabun Foundation, where they provide leadership for the scholarship and planned giving programs.
Since 2019, Laura has played an active role in planning for Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church’s future needs through her service on the church’s New Building Committee. From the program’s inception, she has brought her vision, energy, and talent to the project. Greg is also very involved in the church, often playing the piano at services and volunteering with Rabun Gap’s monthly food ministry.
Greg served as president and chairman of the F.A.I.T.H. board of directors and led the successful campaign to build the new Power House child advocacy facility currently under construction in Habersham County. Director Caroline Wallis stated, “Greg provided exceptional stewardship in setting a tone of accountability, vision, and purpose. His impact on F.A.I.T.H. will be felt for many years.”
Don Barber, pastor of Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church, observed, “Greg and Laura Rhodes have been a force for God and a force for good in Rabun County. They have touched the lives of many, from scholarship students to women and children in abusive relationships, as well as members of the faith community and their Lake Rabun neighbors.”
Greg and Laura have requested that the $5,000 award be shared equally between the F.A.I.T.H. in the Future capital campaign and the Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church building campaign.
PAST RECIPIENTS
| Year | Recipient | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Laura & Greg Rhodes | F.A.I.T.H. in the Future Capital Campaign and the Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church building campaign. |
| 2025 | Pete & Sue Halter | F.A.I.T.H., Rabun Schools Needy Kids Fund, FCA camp scholarships, and RCHS Girls Basketball |
| 2024 | Victoria Anderson | F.A.I.T.H., Inc. |
| 2023 | Collin & Tommy Lines | F.A.I.T.H., Inc. |
| 2022 | Dr. Laura West | Foxfire |
| 2021 | Clay & Al Battle | CASA & F.A.I.T.H. |
| 2020 | Denny Webb | CASA & The 100 Club of Rabun County |
| 2019 | Anita & Robert Pittman | Forward Rabun County |
| 2018 | Leckie Stack | Foxfire |
| 2017 | Kirk & Kathy Knous | F.A.I.T.H. (Fighting Abuse in the Home) |
| 2016 | Joe Hamilton | The 100 Club of Rabun County |
| 2015 | Dorothy Ann King | CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) |
| 2014 | Charles & Jacqueline Groover | F.A.I.T.H. Power House Campaign |
| 2013 | David & Barbara Cantrell | Habitat for Humanity of Rabun County & Rabun Christian Food Ministry |
| 2012 | Buz Stone | Foxfire |
