By Elliott Brack | Most people in Gwinnett probably do not realize the contribution that Dr. Jim Collins, who died at age 77 last week, had on the county. Dr. Collins was the long-time pastor of the Peachtree Christian Church in downtown Atlanta. Through his efforts, Duluth’s Peachtree Christian Hospice is now thriving in Gwinnett.
The story goes back to mid-1990s, when businessman Scott Hudgens of Duluth was seeking to place his philanthropic dollars to good causes. He asked his staff and friends to list the pressing areas of Gwinnett that needed funding. There was near unanimous determination that the areas of focus should be to children, the elderly, the developmental handicapped, veterans and to the homeless. Today his family foundation still focuses on these areas. The Foundation donates annually $4-5 million for these causes and others annually.
At that time, there was no hospice in Gwinnett. Mr. Hudgens thought the county needed one, and but his first effort did not work out. He approached the head of one church denomination, offered his idea and monies, and this person accepted. After all, this was for 8.7 acre tract of land, on which Mr. Hudgens would pay for and build the hospice, and then would underwrite its operations for three years. Altogether, that amounted to at least a $5 million contribution.
Once the offer was made, this church group sat and sat and sat on the idea, doing little toward starting the hospice. Eventually, Mr. Hudgens withdrew the offer to this church, and approached an old friend, Dr. Jim Collins. The two had worked together to help solve a parking problem near the church.
Mr. Hudgens made the same offer to fund a hospice to Dr. Collins, who said: “I think I know a couple who will get that done.” He was thinking of Martha and Bill Todd of his church.
The Todds worked at lightning speed, putting together a group to oversee the design, construction and operations. Construction began in August of 1999, and the opening was October 22, 2000. Mr. Hudgens was smiling widely at that achievement. However, on October 29, Mr. Hudgens died unexpectedly at age 77. Of all his many achievements, the founding of that hospice seemed to give him the greatest pleasure.
On the hospice web site, there is tribute to Mr. Hudgens. It reads: “It is because of the wisdom and vision of Mr. D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. that Peachtree Christian Hospice exists. He saw and understood the crucial need for a facility like Peachtree Christian Hospice. He had the insight to recognize numerous needs in the community and the desire and resources to satisfy them. It was with an unselfish heart and spirit that he gladly contributed millions to his beloved community. Though a successful developer, his business insight translated with the greatest of ease into visionary philanthropic ventures.”
The Hospice had served over 9,000 people at the end of their lives in a place of comfort and peacefulness.
It never would have been built without the funds of Scott Hudgens, nor without the drive, determination and selection of the right leaders that Dr. Jim Collins saw in the pair of Martha and Bill Todd. Unfortunately, Mr. Todd died in 2013.
Today Martha Todd continues as chairman of the board. The other board members include Dr. Joseph H. Barnes, Mrs. Anne Mancini, John B. McIntyre, Jeff Busbee, Jim Ellis, Ms. Jo-Anne Graham-Jones, J. Scot Kirkpatrick, Phillip W. Maffett, Mrs. Martha R. Vickers, Ms. Dianne D. Watson and Ms. Kathryn Parsons Willis.
James Lee Collins Jr., 1938-2015: may you rest in peace.
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