Meredith, Andy & Stephanie are thrilled to have the opportunity to focus full-time on Friends U Need. They look forward to gaining the support of our community to sustain and grow this wonderful and much needed program. 

Meredith Thigpen - Executive Director
Meredith Thigpen is a 1992 graduate of the University of Georgia with a BSED in Middle Grades English. Meredith has an additional certification in Special Education. Meredith was employed by Gwinnett County Public Schools at North Gwinnett High School from 2010 - 2015 in the Special Education Department. Since 2000, Meredith has also managed the bookkeeping for her husband’s commercial construction business. 

Meredith has been thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the last few years creating the FUN Club! Having family members with varying levels of special needs, she has been very aware of the need for a program like the FUN Club. 
 
Meredith is a lifelong resident of Gwinnett County and graduated from North Gwinnett High School. She currently resides in Suwanee, GA with her husband and two teenage boys.
meredith@friendsuneed.org
 
Andy Peevy - Executive Director
Andy Peevy is a 1993 graduate of the University of Georgia with a BSED in Special Education. He received his Masters from North Georgia College & State University. Andy was employed with Gwinnett County Public Schools at North Gwinnett High School from 1994 - 2015 as a Special Education teacher of students with moderate intellectual disabilities. 

Andy felt he could better serve the community by starting the FUN Club.  Andy has been hosting summer camps for over 10 years for his former special needs students who have graduated from high school.  The ongoing relationships Andy has with former NGHS students and their families are the root of what has become the FUN Club.
 
Andy is a lifelong resident of Gwinnett County and graduated from Dacula High School. He currently resides in Auburn, GA with his wife and two teenage boys. 
andy@friendsuneed.org

Stephanie Brown - Director of Resource Development
Stephanie Brown graduated from the University of North Georgia with a BBA in Marketing & Management.  Stephanie was employed with Buford City Schools at Buford High School from 2005 - 2016 as the school's academic & athletic financial bookkeeper.

Stephanie joined the FUN Club staff in June of 2016. During the summer months of her high school & UNG college years, Stephanie worked as a lifeguard & camp counselor at Will-A-Way special needs camp located inside Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, Ga. The positive experiences gained there made the decision to work with the FUN Club easy & exciting. Fundraising, event planning & bookkeeping are Stephanie's main FUN Club responsibilities, however, you'll see her joining in on FUN Club daily activities as often as she can!

Stephanie graduated from Winder-Barrow High School.  She moved to Buford, GA in 2001, where she currently resides with her husband, son & daughter.
stephanie@friendsuneed.org

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