We have 12 new Hey Henrys this week! Submit your "Hey Henry"

 

 

By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor

  Tony Moye is well known in Henry County as being an entrepreneur, a leader in business and for his generosity and charitable contributions, and for all those qualities, he gets the privilege of being “roasted.” He will be the guest of honor at the 12th Annual Roast presented by the accounting firm of Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds and Allison, P.C., the law firm of Smith, Welch and Brittain and Moye’s Pharmacy. The event is Saturday, March 13 at the Eagle’s Landing Country Club in Stockbridge.

  Moye is a lifelong resident of Henry County, attended Henry County High School and is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and Mercer University’s Southern School of Pharmacy. He is the President and CEO of Moye’s Pharmacy, which he founded in 1977 and has grown to six locations throughout Henry County. He’s active in several community service organizations, including the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the Henry County YMCA, the Kiwanis Club and the Flint River Council Boy Scouts of America. He has earned numerous community service awards over the years and serves as a Trustee for the University of West Georgia and Mercer University, and is on the McKesson National Advisory Board.

  “Tony has always been a great supporter of Henry County through his benevolent charities,” said roast organizer, Dody Morris. “We just can’t say enough good things about him.”

  According to Greg Hammonds, of the CPA firm of Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds and Allison, honorees need to have a good sense of humor as well as other attributes to be roasted.

  “I think that it’s an honor to be asked to be the ‘roastee.’ We try to pick people who have given back to the community in some way and who have a great sense of humor,” said Hammonds, who has been an emcee and a speaker at previous roasts. “The speakers prepare some of their material, but the “off the cuff” stories are really funny.”

  The first roast took place on February 6, 1999, honoring Buddy Welch. Moye is twelfth in a long line of community leaders to be “roasted” by friends, in what has become known as a hilarious and worthwhile evening. Mark Brittain will emcee the event and will be joined by a panel that will retell, with some poetic license, funny stories and jokes about the honoree. The panel of roasters includes Larry Brumley, President of Mercer University, Dr. Bobby Foster, Rochelle Knoll, Taylor Rice, of Moye’s Pharmacy, William Strickland, owner of Bellamy-Strickland Chevrolet and Jim Womack, owner of the Corner Maker, all of whom will keep the crowd laughing with their own personal anecdotes of Moye.

  "Mark Brittain is a scream,” said Morris. “The night is so much fun.”

  “This is one of the best events of any of the charitable events out there. You get to hear the best stories and it is a great time,” said Hammonds.

  Money raised benefits the Friends of the Henry County Libraries, and primarily goes to support the children’s programs, such as the summer reading program. Funds also go towards computers and other resources for patrons. According to Hammonds, the annual roasts have raised well over $100,000, which is more money than many other ‘friends’ organization in the state have raised.

  According to Moye, he had been asked several times in the past and finally agreed after his friend, Hammonds, called in a favor.

  “I guess this is the bad tasting medicine I have to take in order to raise money for the library,” he said. “We’ve attended these roasts for several years and we have a lot of fun."

  Moye says that many libraries are facing shortfalls in funding, which makes this charity event so important. He urges everyone to stop by any one of the county’s libraries to see all of the resources and programs that are offered.

   They don’t have adequate funding, as most counties don’t, but the libraries have become busier, especially with adults using the computers to write resumes and search for jobs.” he said.

  In addition to a spectacular meal, this year’s roast will feature a live auction where the grand prize is a package for four to see Collective Soul, a popular band that received its start out of Stockbridge. The package features four tickets and backstage passes for a concert of choice anywhere in the county.

  The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m., followed by the auction, with auctioneer Ray Lambert and then the “roasting” begins. Individual tickets for the event are $100 and $110. Tables may also be purchased for larger groups or companies. To purchase tickets or for additional information, call 770-914-1040.