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Savannah, Georgia Public Relations Firm, PR Agency

Jul 01
0

(SAVANNAH, GA) COMMUNITY HEADLINES, June 29, 2020

By | Local NewsWIRE

Savannah’s

COMMUNITY HEADLINES

The Local Newswire

CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION TO OPEN THREE SAVANNAH AREA LOCATIONS
(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union is expanding to the Savannah area. A division of APCU, the oldest credit union in the State of Georgia, Center Parc plans to open two Chatham County locations in September at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. Center Parc is also planning to open a free-standing flagship branch in the spring of 2021. For more information: www.centerparc.org

SBDC
(SAVANNAH, GA) Free business webinar

CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION HELPS KICK OFF BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY
(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) The 12th Annual READY! SET! GO! Back to School GIVEAWAY is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020. This year’s drive-thru event to provide school supplies to 5,000 area students in need and will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Garden City Recreation Center, 160 Priscilla Thomas Way. If you can donate school supplies for this event please visit: http://rsgbacktoschool.org/. This event is sponsored by WSAV and Center Parc Credit Union.

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY’S PEOPLE OF THE YEAR
(SAVANNAH, GA) The winners of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man, Woman & Students of the Year campaigns were announced on Saturday, June 13 at virtual grand finale celebrations. Cathleen Barela of Keller Williams Realty was named Woman of the Year, raising $61,435. Jeff Maine of Proudly was named Man of the Year, raising $38,713. Cancer Crushers, led by E.B. Threlkeld, Caroline Ambos and Mattie Lynch, earned the title of Students of the Year by raising $65,213. For more information, contact jennie.brewster@lls.org

ROYCE CENTER RECEIVES GRANT
(SAVANNAH, GA) Chatham Academy at Royce received a $1,000 grant from the Matthews Children’s Foundation through their friends at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors.
https://www.roycelearningcenter.org/Chatham-Academy

ROTARY CLUB OF SAVANNAH ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT-ELECT
(SAVANNAH, GA) Ted J. Kleisner, retired CEO and active community leader, has been elected 2020-21 president of the Rotary Club of Savannah. On June 29, the Rotary gavel will be passed on to Kleisner from outgoing president, Ellen B. Bolch, President and CEO of THA Group. For more information, visit www.savrotary.org

FARM TRUCK 912
(SAVANNAH, GA) Farm Truck 912 is a mobile farmers’ market is delivering local seasonal fruits and vegetables to Savannah neighborhoods throughout the week, even during the COVID pandemic. All of the fruits, vegetables, and agricultural products are sourced directly from the Saturday market vendors. Farm Truck 912 accepts credit, debit, and cash as forms of payment. In addition, the farm truck also accepts and doubles SNAP/EBT benefits. This program is supported by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded through the Center for Disease Control’s REACH program to provide close the gap in health disparities among priority populations in Savannah and Chatham County. https://forsythfarmersmarket.com/farmtruck912

MIA MANCE’S TRENDING TOPICS PODCAST
(WXYY G100-1) Keeping Savannah Healthy with Paula Kreissler of REACH and Healthy Savannah
https://g100savannah.com/podcast/view/mias-trending-topics/keeping-savannah-with-healthy-savannahs-paula-kreissler

HOW TO EASILY CREATE ATTRACTIVE INSTAGRAM STORIES
(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Are you tired of Instagram Stories that all look alike? Wondering how to create visually attractive stories without using third-party tools?

SHOP AROUND FOR BETTER INTEREST RATES
(MONEY.COM) For years, online banks have boasted about their high-interest rates, which they’re able to offer by sidestepping many of the overhead costs associated with brick-and-mortar locations. But those rates are shrinking fast. Experts suggest shopping around to see if a competitor offers a better APY and that means checking into community banks and credit unions for savings accounts offering higher yields.
https://money.com/high-yield-savings-accounts-rates-increase/

CHOCOLATE NEEDS A HOME
(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Chocolate is a female American Staffordshire Terrier mix in need of a place to call home. If you are interested in adopting Ms. Chocolate, please visit http://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2020-d-157-chocolate/.

FIVE PR TRENDS THAT WILL MAKE AN IMPACT IN 2020 AND BEYOND
(FORBES.COM) The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into the best-laid PR plans. While masks and lines outside store entrances will hopefully become relics of the past, some of the trends catching steam this year will continue for years to come, and companies relying on traditional PR tactics will need to sit up and take notice or risk falling behind.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2020/06/07/5-pr-trends-that-will-make-an-impact-in-2020-and-beyond/#2dab48ed2c02

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SAVANNAH COMMUNITY HEADLINES *LIVE* THIS MORNING AT 9AM
(SAVANNAH, GA) Join us for an online, interactive conversation about Savannah each Monday morning at 9:00am on Facebook. Join on this link: https://www.facebook.com/CarriageTradePublicRelations/videos/551917438815949/

Jun 30
0

HealthMPowers Now Up to Four Stores in Drive for Healthy Food Choices

By | Local NewsWIRE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Four local stores have joined the HealthMPowers campaign, a project of REACH Savannah-Chatham County, to make healthy food choices available in small retail stores that are often the closest — or only — stores that sell food in low-wealth neighborhoods.

The project is supported by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded through the Center for Disease Control’s REACH program to help close the gap in health disparities among African Americans in Savannah and Chatham County.

HealthMPowers works with store owners to encourage and support them in stocking healthier options to go along with such mainstays as soda and chips.

“HealthMPowers is an organization that oversees the Corner Store Initiative,” said Deidre Grim, nutrition program manager for REACH Savannah-Chatham County. “Through the REACH grant, HealthMPowers provides technical assistance and support to corner stores in low-wealth communities to encourage them to provide fresh produce in their stores.”

Targeted neighborhoods include those where many residents lack transportation to more distant grocery options. Services include surveys of patrons to see how receptive they would be, what they would buy if more options were available and whether it would be seen as beneficial.

“The pandemic shutdown has really driven home the importance of access to good food. Even affluent citizens struggled with how to get fresh groceries into their homes during the height of the crisis, so you can imagine how difficult it was for those in lower-wealth communities,” Grim said. “By working directly with the ground-level stores that are such an important part of these communities, we can help build strong supply chains that will make healthy food readily available, even in times of tumult. HealthMPowers can be a significant player in helping communities weather another emergency, whether it’s a global pandemic or just the everyday struggle of feeding a family.”

The organization provides signage and literature and serves as a go-between for the store and the USDA to the extent of doing regularly scheduled taste testings.

Participating stores are:
A-1 Food Corner (formerly named El Cheapo), 902 Pennsylvania Ave., Savannah;
Alive Mini Market, 707 Harmon St., Savannah (temporarily closed due to COVID-19 shutdowns);
Niti Food Mart, 1212 U.S. Highway 80, Garden City; and
Zack’s Quick Stop, 2701 Ogeechee Road, Savannah.

For more information, visit online at https://ymcaofcoastalga.org/reachsavannah or https://healthysavannah.org/about/reach-savannah-chatham-county/

ABOUT REACH SAVANNAH:
In September of 2018, The YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million dollar Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health (REACH) grant from the Center for Disease Control. Through this funding, the Savannah / Chatham County REACH team works to close the gaps in health disparities among priority populations in Savannah and Chatham County in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and community – clinical linkages. The local project is called HOPE, Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity. Working with over 20 community partners and organizations, the REACH team works to provide equal and consistent access to ensure the health and wellness of our community through policy, systems, and environmental change. www.ymcaofcoastalga.org www.healthysavannah.org

 

Zack’s Quick Stop, 2701 Ogeechee Road, is one of four local stores participating in the REACH Savannah-Chatham HealthMPowers campaign.

 

The Alive & Sho’Nuff Deli at 707 Harmon St. is currently closed due to COVID, but the staff hopes to be able to welcome customers again soon. (Pictured L-R in the Alive & Sho’Nuff Deli before the pandemic: Deidre Grim, REACH Grant; Joyce Griggs, owner, Alive and Sho’Nuff Deli; and Danielle Scudder, HealthMPowers)

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com

Jun 27
0

CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION TO OPEN THREE SAVANNAH AREA LOCATIONS

By | Local NewsWIRE

 

(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union is expanding to the Savannah area. A division of APCU, the oldest credit union in the State of Georgia, Center Parc plans to open two Chatham County locations in September at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. Center Parc is also planning to open a free-standing flagship branch in the spring of 2021.

“Center Parc’s parent company, APCU, has a familiar history in middle and north Georgia, and we’re now excited to bring our services to the Coastal Empire,” said Chuck Head, CEO. “Everything we do is for the benefit of our members and future members. We want prospective members to invite us to have a seat at their kitchen table, where families make decisions about their finances.”

Established by a post office employee to help improve the financial well-being of postal workers in Georgia, APCU (Atlanta Postal Credit Union) was chartered in 1925 as a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, built on the premise that working people need a safe and sound place to save and borrow money. It now serves more than 100,000 members nationwide. In the new Savannah area Center Parc branches, membership will be open to anyone who works or lives in Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties, and any U.S. Postal Service employee as well to the family members of anyone in these groups, no matter where they reside.

“The Center Parc division of APCU will provide the same products and services as APCU, with a community-focused outreach to help even more members grow and prosper,” Head added. “Our hope is that prospective members will get to know Center Parc as a trusted advisor to help them navigate their finances.”

Head explained that the Center Parc brand is aligned with the idea of “parks” and “town centers” being a place where members of a community gather to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. The unique spelling of the name is intended to reflect the company’s respect for its postal roots with the word “parcel.” The new brand is focused on community engagement and participation to attract a diversity of members from each community.

ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in the state of Georgia. In September 2020 two new Center Parc Credit Union locations will open in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The company is also planning to open a free-standing flagship branch in Savannah in the spring of 2021 and will launch an exciting community gardens program this year. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is committed to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800-849-8431, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org. #MembersFlourish

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
Jun 25
0

The Rotary Club of Savannah Announces Ted J. Kleisner as 2020-21 President-Elect

By | Local NewsWIRE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Ted J. Kleisner, retired CEO and active community leader, has been elected 2020-21 president of the Rotary Club of Savannah. On June 29, the Rotary gavel will be passed on to Kleisner from outgoing president, Ellen B. Bolch, President and CEO of THA Group.

A third-generation hotelier, Kleisner originally came to Savannah in 1973 as general manager of the DeSoto Hilton and that year became an active member of the Rotary Club of Savannah. He is a former member of Rotary organizations in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“I am honored that Rotary Savannah has entrusted me with the leadership of the organization,” Kleisner said. “I look forward to continuing our mission to promote peace, fight disease, support health and education initiatives, and to grow our local economy.”

Kleisner is the immediate past chairman of the board of trustees of the Telfair Museums, president of the Savannah Classical Academy Foundation and a member of the board of directors of the Savannah Music Festival, Inc. Appointed by the Mayor and City Council of Savannah, he currently serves as a commissioner on the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Commission and as a member of the Downtown Savannah Authority board.
The Chicago native retired as chairman of the board, president & CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company and as president of CSX Hotels, Inc., CEO of The Greenbrier Resort & Club Management Company and The Greenbrier Sporting Club Development Company, Inc. He is a graduate of the University of Denver’s College of Business.

Kleisner and his wife of 48 years, Karen, reside in Savannah’s Historic Landmark District. They have two grown children: Kerry (Cornell ‘94) and Colonel Teddy (USMA, West Point ’97; and five grandchildren.

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF SAVANNAH

The Rotary Club of Savannah includes 205 community leaders and volunteers. Over the past 104 years, the club has championed local and regional developments that include completing the road to Tybee Island, improving the Savannah River for commercial traffic, enhancing the Dixie Highway system in southeast Georgia and building bridges over the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers. Most recently, in recognition of its 100th anniversary, the club raised funds and built an all-accessible playground in Forsyth Park. Meetings are held each Monday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the DeSoto Hotel, 15 E. Liberty St. For more information, visit www.savrotary.org

CONTACT
Rotary Club of Savannah
P.O. Box 11105
Savannah, GA 31412
Phone: 912-272-9711

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
http://www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com

Jun 15
0

(SAVANNAH, GA) COMMUNITY HEADLINES, June 15, 2020

By | Local NewsWIRE

Savannah’s

COMMUNITY HEADLINES

The Local Newswire

SOUTHERN HOMETOWN PHARMACY
(POOLER, PEMBROKE) Locally owned and operated Southern Hometown Pharmacy is pleased to announce the opening of two locations under new management in Pooler and Pembroke, Ga. For more information, visit https://carriagetradepr.com/southern-hometown-pharmacy-is-open-for-business-in-pooler-and-pembroke/

REACH TEAM SAYS BREASTFEEDING IS BEST EVEN DURING COVID
(SAVANNAH, GA) Breastfeeding remains the healthiest way to feed a baby, even during the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, and locally, the REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health) team of Project HOPE (Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity), continues to urge mothers to choose this method.

GRIEF COUNSELING NO CHARGE
(SAVANNAH, GA) Hospice Savannah’s Full Circle bereavement counselors offer individual and group counseling at no charge. Virtual Grief 101 support group for adults and Virtual Kids 101 support group start Tuesday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m. Virtual Spouse/Life Partner Loss support group starts Thursday, June 11 at 11:00 a.m., and Virtual Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group is the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Please call Full Circle at 912.303.9442 for registration information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIRIfifWnJY&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=June&utm_campaign=April+14&utm_medium=email
ENMARKET PARTNERS WITH ATLANTA GAS LIGHT TO OFFER CLEAN, EFFICIENT COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS IN SAVANNAH AT NEW PORT WENTWORTH STORE
(PORT WENTWORTH, GA) The newest Enmarket store is now open in Port Wentworth, bringing the first public compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling service to Savannah. The new store at 7002 Highway 21, at Exit 109 off Interstate 95, also offers Enmarket’s second Fuzzy Taco Shop, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant. For more information, visit https://carriagetradepr.com/enmarket-partners-with-atlanta-gas-light-to-offer-clean-efficient-compressed-natural-gas-in-savannah-at-new-port-wentworth-store/
NOT FOR SALE
(ONEHUNDREDMILES.ORG) One Hundred Miles, an advocacy group striving to preserve, protect, and enhance Georgia’s 100-mile coast, is urging the public to tell Georgia’s senators that “Ossabaw is Not For Sale.” The group is asking Georgia residents to contact their Georgia state senators to ask them to vote NO on HB 906, which, if passed, would allow certain heritage preserves, including portions of Ossabaw Island, to be sold to private and commercial developers. http://www.onehundredmiles.org/protectheritagepreserves/#/240/
HIPPIE NEEDS A HOME
(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Hippie is a one of a kind, energetic, happy, carefree senior who believes in second chances. That’s because her second chance was being rescued by Coastal Pet Rescue She had some health problems she was dealing with when she first came to rescue, but thanks to the folks at Von Trapp Animal Lodge helping with cold laser therapy and hydro therapy, she has made a complete recovery! http://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2019-d-248-hippie/ Female German Shepherd.
PARK PLACE OUTREACH RECEIVES FACE MASKS
(SAVANNAH, GA) Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Services has received a donation of 100 face masks through Satchel’s buy-one-give-one face mask program. The masks will be distributed and required for all youth in Park Place Outreach’s residential and non-residential programs.
http://parkplaceyes.org Facebook: ParkPlaceOutreachInc, Instagram/Twitter: @outreachpark
LOCAL NEWSWIRE SIGN UP
(SAVANNAH, GA) To receive SAVANNAH COMMUNITY HEADLINES™ each Monday morning, please sign up here for free: SIGN UP HERE
VIRTUAL CAMP BUDDY
(CHATHAM AND EFFINGHAM COUNTIES) For the past 11 years, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) has been helping students with Down syndrome enjoy summer fun at Camp Buddy as they prepare for the upcoming school year – and this year, not even a global pandemic can stop them! The LDSS will host Virtual Camp Buddy June 22 through June 25, 2020. https://ldssga.org/

15 TOP MARKETING TRENDS FOR 2020

(FORBES) Members of Forbes Agency Council weigh in on the trends they expect to show up throughout 2020, to better inform marketers where they should be putting their focus.
SAVANNAH COMMUNITY HEADLINES *LIVE* THIS MORNING AT 9AM
(SAVANNAH, GA) Join us for an online, interactive conversation about Savannah each Monday morning at 9:00am on Facebook. Join on this link: https://www.facebook.com/CarriageTradePublicRelations/videos/559683571588148/
Jun 15
0

LDSS Announces Virtual Summer Camp Buddy June 22-25 for Savannah and Effingham Students

By | Local NewsWIRE

(CHATHAM AND EFFINGHAM COUNTIES) For the past 11 years, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) has been helping students with Down syndrome enjoy summer fun at Camp Buddy as they prepare for the upcoming school year – and this year, not even a global pandemic can stop them! The LDSS will host Virtual Camp Buddy June 22 through June 25, 2020.

Kerry Heape with daughter Brenna.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic upended life in mid-March, people have turned to internet meeting applications like Zoom or Google Meets for everything from business meetings to class sessions to worship services. Now, add summer camp to that list. With web-cam equipped computers, parents and their campers (ages 7 to 16) will gather for the virtual camp each day during the camp session.

Look for the features that made Camp Buddy a favorite with families for more than the past decade, according to Molly Marchese, the camp’s co-director with Pam Hussey — things like involvement of occupational, physical and speech therapists, and learning cleverly disguised as games.

“The summer break always presents the threat of children losing ground as they’re away from the classroom, and that’s heartbreaking when they have worked so hard,” said John Bogardus, president of LDSS. “This year, we knew we couldn’t give up on Camp Buddy because children have been out of the classroom for at least two additional months. All kids need to have a fun and exciting summer, and we’ve worked out a way to do that safely with a virtual day camp that also reinforces learning.”

Previous camps started out using church facilities and moved on to public school facilities, with different sessions for Chatham County and Effingham County and nearby areas. As the pandemic gobbled up larger and larger chunks of the calendar, LDSS’s leadership realized that a physical camp was simply not possible in 2020. The answer was Virtual Camp Buddy, largely an improvisation driven by necessity.

“We’ve always had a very therapeutic approach to camp, with involvement by speech, occupational and physical therapists, and also a focus on socialization and grade-appropriate level education by special education teachers,” said Marchese.

What are some activities that can be done in a virtual camp? She gave the example of a scavenger hunt, where children are asked “Where do you go if you needed to find a toothbrush?” or working on fine motor skills by being told to find a jacket that zips or something that buttons.

The physical camps were generally based in a public school, with students often using the camp as a home base for field trips. Instead, this year the campers will be led through various projects via Zoom and its audiovisual links. The plan is to return to the physical format in future years, but Marchese said the virtual version may present some future potential as well. Depending on how well things go in this first year, it could become an option for serving children who live in areas without summer options for differently-abled children.

The camp sessions will run daily on each of the four camp days. Most of the slots are already claimed, but parents can see if any positions open up by emailing Marchese at mollymarchese6107@gmail.com. The camp fee is $20.

Working with Marchese and Hussey will be occupational therapist Melinda Hawkins, physical therapist Joy Marshall, speech therapist Helen Reynolds and special education teacher Traci Whitaker.

“Our campers look forward every year to Camp Buddy, and we are determined that our virtual version won’t disappoint them,” said Marchese. “So much of our daily lives has been turned upside down by this virus, but we aren’t going to let it rob the children of a joyful learning experience that, for many, is a summer tradition.”

ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) supports people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact. LDSS encourages the whole family to attend; children of all ages are welcome. LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. For more information about LDSS, visit ldssga.org

CONTACT
Whitney Lowery
Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society
wlowery@ldssga.org

Jun 11
0

COVID-19 Doesn’t Change the Message: Breastfeeding is Best

By | Local NewsWIRE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Breastfeeding remains the healthiest way to feed a baby, even during the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, and locally, the REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health) team of Project HOPE (Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity), continues to urge mothers to choose this method. The program, which is supported by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded through the Centers for Disease Control’s REACH program, is dedicated to closing the gap in health disparities among various populations in Savannah and Chatham County, and many of those disparities are rooted in nutrition.

Major health organizations – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and professional associations representing obstetricians and pediatricians – continue to call breastfeeding the best option, largely even in cases where there is a threat or even confirmation of COVID-19 infection.

That doesn’t mean things haven’t changed, however. Mothers are advised to pay particular attention to hand hygiene before feeding their infants and to wear a mask if there is a possibility they have been exposed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that infants born to infected mothers should be cared for by a healthy caregiver. “Mothers who are in the same household as their babies should maintain at least a 6-foot distance whenever possible,” the AAP website says.

Mothers who are concerned about exposure to COVID could pump milk for someone else to feed their babies, according to groups like the CDC, but great care must be taken to sanitize pumping equipment and observe other health measures.

“We do not know for sure if mothers with COVID-19 can spread the virus to babies in their breast milk, but the limited data available suggest this is not likely,” the CDC says in a statement on its website, pointing out that breast milk provides protection against many illnesses.

Shawntay Gadson is a lactation consultant who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Memorial and with Project Hope and the REACH team’s various programs. She has first-hand experience in the health value of breastfeeding. She pointed out that she and other lactation professionals are making sure they keep up with the latest CDC guidelines since the COVID situation has proven to be fluid and rapidly changing.

“If moms are expressing concerns about COVID-19, we are telling them the most important thing is to have good hand hygiene,” Gadson said. “If a mom is COVID-19 positive, basically the mom and her doctor come up with a plan. If that mom chooses to pump breast milk rather than directly breastfeed, then she gets her own dedicated pump. If she decides to breastfeed, she wears a mask and takes extra care with hand hygiene.”

Local breastfeeding advocate Holly McSpadden, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), who is the senior lactation consultant at Memorial Health University Medical Center, says current medical thinking is that breast milk remains the best option for babies and keeping mother and baby together while directly breastfeeding is preferable whenever medically possible. She pointed out that pumped breast milk is a well-established option, especially when health concerns separate mother/baby pairs.“That wouldn’t be any different than what we do with our mothers and babies in the neonatal intensive care nursery,” she said. “We want to talk to mothers that are suspected of or who have COVID and instruct them to be careful when they pump, to be sure they disinfect the surfaces. But they certainly can provide their own milk.”

The American Academy of Family Physicians, via its website, has issued a statement on breastfeeding and COVID-19. It reads in part: “The AAFP recommends promotion of breastfeeding and parent-infant bonding, and avoidance of parent-infant separation whenever possible. If the parent has been exposed to COVID-19 but is asymptomatic, breastfeeding is a reasonable choice. The parent should use a mask and careful hand hygiene to reduce the risk of exposing the infant to respiratory secretions.”

The REACH team, through Project Hope, supports a variety of programs to make healthy food available to low-wealth communities, including a new Photovoice Project being developed by Nandi Marshall, DrPH, of the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University. She uses a combination of photography and storytelling to empower those taking part to share their experiences with breastfeeding. Gadsen is also working with this effort in recruiting new moms as participants. This effort was inspired by the 2007 Breastfeeding Report Card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that indicates African Americans have the lowest rates of initiating breastfeeding (60 percent) and continuing it at six months (28 percent) and 12 months (13 percent) compared to all other racial/ethnic groups in the United States.

Project HOPE is supported by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded through the Center for Disease Control’s REACH program to provide close the gap in health disparities among priority populations in Savannah and Chatham County.

For more information, visit online at https://ymcaofcoastalga.org/reachsavannah or https://healthysavannah.org/about/reach-savannah-chatham-county/

ABOUT REACH SAVANNAH:
In September of 2018, The YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million dollar Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health (REACH) grant from the Center for Disease Control. Through this funding, the Savannah / Chatham County REACH team works to close the gaps in health disparities among priority populations in Savannah and Chatham County in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and community – clinical linkages. The local project is called HOPE, Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity. Working with over 20 community partners and organizations, the REACH team works to provide equal and consistent access to ensure the health and wellness of our community through policy, systems, and environmental change. www.ymcaofcoastalga.org www.healthysavannah.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com

Jun 10
0

CARRIAGE TRADE PUBLIC RELATIONS® WELCOMES MYANDI PETERSON

By | Savannah, Georgia Public Relations Firm, PR Agency

CARRIAGE TRADE PUBLIC RELATIONS® WELCOMES MYANDI PETERSON

(SAVANNAH, GA) Carriage Trade Public Relations is pleased to announce that Myandi Peterson has rejoined the company as its Director of Communications. She is looking forward to putting her 16 years of public relations and marketing expertise to use. https://carriagetradepr.com/carriage-trade-public-relations-team-members/

Myandi J. Peterson is originally from Upstate, New York. She is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a concentration in broadcast journalism. Myandi has helped several businesses up and down the east coast increase visibility within their communities. She has a passion for working with charitable opportunities and getting involved and giving back to communities.

Myandi was formerly employed as a production assistant at WTOC TV and served as Carriage Trade PR’s public relations coordinator for a number of years. Now, as director of communications, she continues to employ her 16 years of public relations and marketing expertise, while implementing new ideas and systems that will help the company grow and thrive during these changing times.

Myandi and her husband, Shannon, have two children, Cullen and Delanie. She also plays an active role in supporting, managing and marketing her husband’s entertainment business as a solo musician. She enjoys running and has completed three marathons and 10 half-marathons. She is also a licensed real estate agent, which is a natural extension of her passion for family and community.

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
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marjorie@carriagetradepr.com

Jun 09
1

Enmarket Partners with Atlanta Gas Light to Offer Clean, Efficient Compressed Natural Gas in Savannah at New Port Wentworth Store

By | Local NewsWIRE

(PORT WENTWORTH, GA) The newest Enmarket store opened June 8 in Port Wentworth. It is the first fueling station to bring compressed natural gas (CNG) supplied by Atlanta Gas Light to the Savannah public and provides a wide range of services aimed at truck traffic serving the Port of Savannah as well as the general public. The new store at 7002 Highway 21, at Exit 109 off Interstate 95, also offers Enmarket’s second Fuzzy Taco Shop, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant.

The store becomes the 126th in Enmarket’s growing chain of convenience stores and travel centers in Georgia and the Carolinas.

“CNG is an increasingly important fuel, especially for heavy trucks, and we are delighted to bring the fast-fill version of it to the motoring public in Savannah,” said Brett Giesick, president of Enmarket. “CNG is a clean, efficient product and making it available is in keeping with our goals to serve the public and protect the environment.”

According to Southern Company Gas subsidiary Atlanta Gas Light, CNG reduces emissions up to 90 percent when compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles. The new station will be able to fuel all classes of CNG vehicles, including Class 8 trucks (18-wheelers).

“We are proud to partner with Enmarket and help expand the state’s CNG infrastructure,” said Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light. “This new station is also making it possible for local area fleets to deploy CNG vehicles to help meet their sustainability goals.”

The new store supplies a wide array of fuel types, including an electric vehicle charging station, auto and truck diesel, DEF, and ethanol free blu, in addition to CNG.

CNG is still developing in the public markets. Early investors in CNG vehicles were often commercial fleets, and the investing companies tended to have dedicated fueling stations of their own. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are more than 175,000 CNG-powered vehicles in the United States, and 23 million worldwide.

According to the Department of Energy’s alternative fuel website, 23 Georgia cities have public CNG vendors, with 26 sites among them. Atlanta is the only city in the state with a large number of stations, while Augusta has two and Columbus has one. The stations tend to cluster around Interstate accesses.

Atlanta Gas Light adds the location of the new station off Exit 109 provides value to CNG vehicles traveling I-95 between Florida and the Carolinas. The company has been building and maintaining CNG fueling sites for fleet customers in Georgia since the early 1990s.

The 5,814-square-foot store is a new build. The adjoining Fuzzy’s Taco is 3,960 square feet. The fast casual restaurant features a full bar as well as outdoor seating.

“We’re excited to add a second Fuzzy’s location to the low country area,” added Giesick. “Based on the customer reception at our Hardeeville location, we are confident that customers who have yet to experience Fuzzy’s Taco Shop will be happy that there is now one a little closer to Savannah.”

The first Fuzzy’s Taco Shop opened in Fort Worth, Texas back in 2003 and there are now more than 140 of them scattered across the country.

Customers can expect the same wide array of services as familiar at most Enmarkets, including freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, breakfast biscuits and more- all made on site. The store will be the third Enmarket location to offer Mooz frozen yogurt. Overflow parking for diesel trucks and a backup generator will also be included in the site.

For more information about natural gas vehicles visit https://www.atlantagaslight.com/business/natural-gas-vehicles.html.

ABOUT ENMARKET
Enmarket, Savannah’s largest convenience store chain, employs more than 1,400 people and operates 126 convenience stores, 14 quick-serve restaurants and two fast casual restaurants as the 49th largest convenience store operator in the country. Founded as Interstate Stations by Robert Demere in 1963, the retailer operates convenience stores in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina and was noted as the industry’s “Biggest Mover” in store count ranking by Convenience Store News in 2018. The company is committed to giving back to the community through many charitable contributions and volunteer efforts, offering fresh food, healthy snacks, and competitively priced quality fuel as part of its mission to enrich life. www.enmarket.com

ABOUT ATLANTA GAS LIGHT
Atlanta Gas Light is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Atlanta Gas Light provides natural gas delivery service to more than 1.6 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is one of the oldest corporations in the state. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com.

CONTACT
Matt Clements
Vice President of Marketing
Enmarket
MClements@enmarket.com

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations®
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com

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