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Savannah, Georgia Public Relations Firm, PR Agency

Apr 01
0

(SAVANNAH, GA) COMMUNiTY HEADLiNES, March 30, 2020

By | Local NewsWIRE

Savannah’s

COMMUNiTY HEADLiNES

The Local Newswire

ENMARKET BOOSTS EMPLOYEES PAY BY $2.50

(SAVANNAH, GA) As an essential business selling fuel, grocery items and prepared foods, Enmarket’s stores across a three-state region continue to remain open to serve the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, those employees are receiving a temporary pay boost of $2.50 an hour, reflecting the importance of their role during this crisis, and the chain also will install plexiglass shields at its checkout counters as further protection for employees and customers. Meanwhile, Enmarket’s adoption of self-checkout technology in 2019 is proving its value during the current pandemic. For example, Skip Frictionless Checkout enables users to check out on their phones, without direct interaction with a cashier. www.enmarket.com

SCORE MENTORS STANDING BY

(SAVANNAH, GA) The current COVID-19 emergency is causing many businesses, especially small businesses, to be experiencing significant challenges. The very existence of some businesses may be at risk. Please know that the Savannah SCORE team of 45 expert business mentors is available to provide free business mentoring services to help you navigate these uncharted waters.  Mentoring will take place by phone, video or email. https://savannah.score.org and click on “Find A Mentor” or call 912-652-4335.

LIST OF MANDATORY CLOSURES  

(CITY OF SAVANNAH) After receiving regulatory guidance from the state, barbershops, beauty parlors, nail and personal care salons closed on Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m.
Additional clarifications include pawn shops, title pawn shops, landscaping services and moving services; which are considered essential businesses and may remain operational. Vape stores are not permitted to stay open. Automobile dealerships can operate their service departments, but they may not operate their sales departments. Real estate maintenance and rental services and work to execute contracts currently in existence are allowed, but all other real estate work should be performed remotely. https://www.savannahga.gov/2958/Covid-19

6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE JUST-PASSED COVID-19 RELIEF BILL

(UNITED WAY)  Congress recently passed a $2 trillion emergency relief package which seeks to help millions of Americans survive this economic and health crisis. Reason #4 for this legislation is that it gives relief to small business.

https://www.unitedway.org/blog/6-things-to-know-about-the-just-passed-covid-19-relief-bill?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=covid19&utm_content=learnmore&fbclid=IwAR3aeBllxBZP0wdrKqr_BP380FpWdfnNL8ZLqCpH1Iqc3Po6fv983as6AIE#

CHILDREN’S BOOK

(SAVANNAH, GA) New free book helps children cope with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Author Dr. Melissa Gratias

SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS

(SBAC) Interview with Tony O’Reilly of the Small Business Assistance Corporation. https://sbacsav.com/

GET COUNTED

(US CENSUS) Respond today, get counted:

GET TO KNOW US IN A WHOLE NEW WAY

(SAVANNAH, GA) VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE – Thursday, April 2 at 4 p.m.St. Andrew’s invites families with children age 3 to grade 12 to get to know the school faculty through a virtual, interactive Q & A session. Register at https://saslions.com/openhouse/ for this unique experience.

UNITED WAY

(SAVANNAH, GA) Rise to the challenge, as Americans have always done, to support those in need. Your giving helps those most affected by the pandemic. Learn how United Way is responding to COVID-19 and helping the community during this difficult time: https://untdwy.org/2IVKXV3

COUNCIL OF DADS

VIRTUAL TOUR

(SAVANNAH, GA) With the challenges of COVID-19, and a city under a “shelter at home” mandate,  local real estate agents are getting creative by offering virtual open houses and and tours through video and social media.  Here’s an example of a a virtual tour:

FIRST VIRTUAL CHECK DONATION

(SAVANNAH, GA) DIRTTbags Donate to Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society for World Down Syndrome Day  https://youtu.be/hyhvWakliJs

PEACOCK AUTOMOTIVE

(JASPER COUNTY, SC) While battling the pandemic together with the community, Peacock Automotive dealerships in South Carolina are fully operational with social distance guidelines and sanitation efforts in place. The staff is offering virtual test drives and no charge delivery of purchases to the local community. The sales departments at Peacock Hyundai Savannah and Savannah Volkswagen are open by appointment only due to the shelter in place order for Savannah. The service departments are open with normal hours, and social distancing is being practiced. A key drop-box is available for clients who do not wish to have contact. Peacock Automotive remains committed to providing customers a clean, friendly experience. Extensive sanitation efforts are in place, and employees are using gloves to handle vehicles. As the situation changes with the virus, Peacock Automotive will continue to update clients and re-evaluate and improve its measures to ensure the safety of everyone we encounter.  For more information or any assistance, please call (843)-208-1258 or visit online at https://www.peacockautomotive.com/.

HOSPICE SAVANNAH

(SAVANNAH, GA) Hospice Savannah is committed to maintaining its exemplary level of care for patients and families as our nation grapples with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The staff is monitoring CDC guidelines to ensure correct precautions are utilized in order to continue to provide safe and outstanding care. Both Hospice Savannah, Inc., and the Steward Center for Palliative Care remain open and dedicated to serving the public while also striving to patients are in prepared and capable hands throughout this extremely difficult time for the nation and world. Where possible, some staff members are working remotely to comply with emergency declarations.

https://files.constantcontact.com/c6a91b43201/e7e36d8a-3749-46d8-975f-758590dce13e.pdf

PARK PLACE OUTREACH  

(SAVANNAH, GA) Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter has announced the appointment of a new board president and three new board members. Tammy Stokes, Chatham County Recorder’s Court Chief Judge, will serve as the board president in 2020. Stokes has served on the Park Place Outreach board since January of 2019, and succeeds Salita Hill, who served as the organization’s board president in 2018 and 2019. The new board members are Erina Tandy; Hunter Hall, with Hunter T. Hall Consulting; and Megan Manly, law clerk for the U.S. District Court.

SEEKING BUSINESS INPUT

(SAFE CITY) Local security company seeking business owners’ input on where to place free security cameras during this crisis. https://safecitysav.com/community    

IVOLUNTEER INTERNATIONAL

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah Nonprofit IVolunteer International wins the University of Georgia Kickstarter Fund. – the Tech-Nonprofit received $5,000 in grant money to design and develop a new mobile app for volunteers. https://www.ivint.org/press/ivolunteer-international-winners-at-university-of-georgia-kickstarter-fund/

PEACOCK AUTO MALL DONATES FOOD TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT

(JASPER COUNTY, SC) The on-site cafe at Peacock Auto Mall is temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus epidemic. Peacock Auto Mall was able to donate the unused food and condiments on March 27 to Old Savannah City Mission, which serves the hungry population in Savannah. The Old Savannah City Mission is a local 501(c)(3) funded by people who care about the less fortunate and demonstrate it by giving of their time, talent and treasure. The Mission works with a staff of seven employees. This community’s dedicated servants work with hundreds of volunteers to deliver services to Savannah’s most vulnerable and needy citizens in a highly cost-effective way. If you’re interested in volunteering, visit http://www.oscm.org/

REACH ENCOURAGES HEALTHY FOOD DONATIONS

(SAVANNAH TRIBUNE) Many people have heard the saying, “You are what you eat,” without understanding the concept behind it. What and how much a person eats has a profound impact on continuing health. Eating a nutritional, well-balanced diet helps prevent health disparities. REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) Savannah is encouraging families to avoid processed foods and turn to nutritional foods like fruits and vegetables. https://www.savannahtribune.com/articles/reach-savannah-encourages-healthy-food-donations/

LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY POSTPONES NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, out of an abundance of concern about the health and safety of its members and participants at the 11th annual Night of Champions event, has decided to postpone the celebration because of the potential risks associated with the coronavirus. The event had been scheduled for April 2 at the Savannah Convention Center. https://www.facebook.com/ldssga/, call 912-436-3626 or email info@ldssga.org.

CARRIAGE TRADE PUBLIC RELATIONS® MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

(SAVANNAH, GA) Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc. is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter of a century of service to the region’s small business community. As a lead-up to the anniversary, the firm’s founder and principal, Marjorie Young, will publish “Reputation Matrix,” a step-by-step guidebook to help small businesses increase their visibility, credibility and positive word-of-mouth in the community and online. Once released, the book will be available on Amazon. For more information, visit www.carriagetradepr.com or call 912-844-9990

LILLY NEEDS A HOME

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) If you’ve been looking for a loving feline companion, Lilly could be the girl for you. This super sweetie found her way to CPR after being left when her previous family moved. http://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2018-c-129-lilly/
Mar 31
0

Enmarket Employees Get Pay Boost, Additional Safety Measures

By | Local NewsWIRE

(SAVANNAH, GA) As an essential business selling fuel, grocery items and prepared foods, Enmarket’s stores across a three-state region continue to remain open to serve the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, those employees are receiving a temporary pay boost of $2.50 an hour, reflecting the importance of their role during this crisis, and the chain also will install plexiglass shields at its checkout counters as further protection for employees and customers.

The installation of the plexiglass shields, also known as “sneeze guards,” is expected to begin Monday and will include all of Enmarket’s stores, which are located in Georgia and the Carolinas.

The measures come in addition to health and safety measures already implemented throughout the chain, which is the 49th largest in the country. Those measures include the suspension of the sale of self-service food, like hotdogs and frozen yogurt, along with increased cleaning and sanitizing. The Eatery, Enmarket’s in-store food preparation operation, continues to prepare food under controlled sanitary conditions, but service is now limited to to-go orders, with use of dining tables on premises suspended.

“We wanted some tangible way to express to our employees how much we — and the shopping public —appreciate their efforts during this extraordinary time,” said Brett Giesick, president of Enmarket, which is based in Savannah. “Nothing is more tangible to an employee than their paycheck, so for the next three weeks, each hourly employee’s wage will be increased by $2.50 an hour.”

Salaried employees, who are eligible for bonuses as part of their compensation package, will be guaranteed 100% payout of their March and April bonuses.

Hourly Enmarket employees will receive a one-time check equivalent to $2.50 per hour for all hours worked from March 26 through April 15. This will include field technicians and other hourly team members that work in the field to support multiple stores.

The plexiglass shields will become a new icon of the current pandemic. Walmart, Kroger and other major retailers who are open for essential services during the crisis have begun to install the barriers to limit exposure between customers and cashiers during the check-out process. Enmarket is one of the first convenience store chains that has committed to installing them at every location.

“These shields will provide an additional level of safety for our employees,” Giesick said. “We will be moving as quickly as possible to get them in place at each of our checkout locations.”

Meanwhile, Enmarket’s adoption of self-checkout technology in 2019 is proving its value during the current pandemic. For example, Skip Frictionless Checkout enables users to check out on their phones, without direct interaction with a cashier.

ABOUT ENMARKET
Enmarket is Savannah’s largest convenience store chain, employing more than 1,300 people and operating 124 convenience stores, 14 quick-serve restaurants, and a fast casual restaurant 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

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

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
www.carriagetradepr.com
912-844-9990

Mar 15
0

Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Postpones Night of Champions

By | Local NewsWIRE

MEDIA ALERT: 11th Annual Night of Champions Postponed Due to Risk Associated with Coronavirus

Organizers plan to reschedule the annual event that honors employees with different abilities and their employers.

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, out of an abundance of concern about the health and safety of its members and participants at the 11th annual Night of Champions event, has decided to postpone the celebration because of the potential risks associated with the coronavirus. The event had been scheduled for April 2 at the Savannah Convention Center.

https://event.auctria.com/282da56c-189a-4201-b183-fa086f2842d7

“Our decision to delay this event was not taken lightly,” said Tom Kenkel, the event’s chairman. ”It was made after closely monitoring updates and guidelines from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Down Syndrome Society. Our top priority is the health and safety of the community.”

Night of Champions recognizes employees with different abilities in the Savannah area who excel in their workplace as well as employers who have come to understand the value and importance of inclusive employment.

“Although we are all incredibly disappointed about this development, we have every plan to reschedule the 11th annual Night of Champions as soon as it is safe and prudent to do so,” Kenkel said. “We are thankful to Grainger Honda and Grainger Nissan and all of the sponsors who have supported this event. We are extending the deadline for more organizations to join the mission and celebration.”

For updates and information, go to the LDSS website at ldssga.org, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ldssga/, call 912-436-3626 or email info@ldssga.org.

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

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young, CEO
Carriage Trade Public Relations®, Inc.
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
912-844-9990

Mar 10
0

Bethesda Academy Senior Nishan Roberson Signing Day with Savannah State University

By | Local NewsWIRE

Bethesda Academy Senior Nishan Roberson Signing Day with Savannah State University

Bethesda Academy hosted a Signing Day ceremony in honor of senior Nishan Roberson’s decision to accept a football scholarship with Savannah State University in the Diamond Dining Hall at Bethesda Academy.

Roberson has played on the Bethesda Academy football team as a lineman for three of his four years in high school, having missed his junior year due to a preseason knee injury. Highlights from his senior year include 64 tackles on defense and offensive blocks that accounted for 3,002 rushing yards and 2,017 passing yards. He will receive a full-ride scholarship to play at Savannah State.

ABOUT BETHESDA ACADEMY
Founded in 1740, Bethesda Academy is the oldest child-care institution in the United States. Now it is a private day and boarding school for young men in grades six through twelve and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The 650-acre campus features a variety of athletic teams, a wildlife management and organic farming program and college preparatory curriculum. Through its “Lead The Way” initiative, students have access to exclusive integrated learning and leadership opportunities. For more information, visit www.bethesdaacademy.org or call 912.644.4376.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Carriage Trade Public Relations®, Inc.
Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@carriagetradepr.com
912.856.9075

Mar 06
0

Carriage Trade Public Relations® Marks 25th Anniversary

By | Local NewsWIRE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Carriage Trade Public Relations®, Inc. observed its 25th anniversary on March 6, marking a quarter of a century of service to the region’s small business community.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Carriage Trade Public Relations®, Inc. observed its 25th anniversary on March 6, marking a quarter of a century of service to the region’s small business community.

As a lead-up to the anniversary, the company’s owner and president Marjorie Young will publish “Reputation Matrix,” a step-by-step guidebook to help small businesses increase their visibility, credibility and positive word-of-mouth in the community and online. Once released, the book will be available on Amazon.

“I started my own company after helping turn my father’s publishing and printing company around. I learned the power of public relations and wanted to make it accessible to other business owners,” said Young.

Marjorie Young, Founder

“Throughout the 25 years, it has been a mission of mine to help small business owners realize that PR creates powerful word of mouth in the community and online. According to Nielsen, Over 90% of referrals and new business comes from word of mouth, PR helps to create that positive buzz,” said Young.

“In 1998, Google launched, and that was a game-changer, realizing everything can go online,” Young said. “We were really the first in the region to understand you could put up a press release and have people find it and read it. You know, it’s easy to forget these tools weren’t always there and that even when they did become available, people had to learn how to use them.”

In addition to growing a company and pioneering the power of the internet, Young has been active in the community, having served as president of the Small Business Chamber, chair of the Small Business Council and chair of Savannah SCORE. Other past and present board involvement include Leadership Savannah, Hospice Savannah, Dawn’s Daughter Leadership Academy, Small Business Development Center Advisory Board and Rotary Club of Savannah.

She has also won numerous awards; Business Advocate of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business of the Year and Savannah Community Star Award from the Savannah Morning News and Buy Local Advocate of the Year from Buy Local Savannah.

She holds a certification in crisis communications from the Public Relations Society of America and hosts frequent PR boot camps and webinars to empower business owners and nonprofit organizations to take control of their reputation, brand and message. Community Headlines, the local NewsWire, was launched in 1997. Her online business education show, Open For Business was launched in 2000.

Young is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism and a minor in fine art. In her spare time, Marjorie enjoys hiking and painting, and in 2016 she hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a 500-mile trek. Her daughter just graduated from Georgia Tech with a Ph.D. in Robotics Engineering.

ABOUT CARRIAGE TRADE PUBLIC RELATIONS®, INC.
Carriage Trade Public Relations®, Inc. is Savannah’s premier reputation management company founded in 1995 by Marjorie Young to help businesses increase their visibility, credibility and positive word-of-mouth in their community and globally online through its proprietary REPUTATION MATRIX method. For more information, contact www.carriagetradepr.com. 912-844-9990

Mar 05
0

Peacock Ford Opens Renovated Spaces in Orlando Dealership

By | Local NewsWIRE

Peacock Ford Opens Renovated Spaces in Orlando Dealership

(ORLANDO, FL) Peacock Automotive is pleased to announce the completion of Phase One of renovations on Peacock Ford, and has now reopened its showroom, service and parts departments, sales and support offices and customer lounge.

Peacock Automotive acquired the Ford dealership in 2017, expanding its established markets in Georgia and South Carolina to Florida. The company has undertaken this full remodel with the goal of bringing the building into the 21st century with state-of-the-art modern amenities.

Peacock Ford is located at 1875 S. Orlando Avenue in Maitland and sits on a 10-acre lot that displays nearly 350 vehicles.

The dealership has been operating out of temporary offices since renovations began in the spring. This will be a stark contrast with the sleek new design of the current showroom, which will better serve customers while the renovated lounge will enable patrons to relax in comfort while their cars are serviced.

“We saw the need for upgrade immediately upon moving in, and we’re excited to be able to welcome not only the community into our beautiful, improved space, but also our employees, to whom we have been so grateful throughout this process,” said Warner Peacock, chairman and CEO of Peacock Automotive. “We’re looking forward to continuing onto Phase Two, and we’re confident that during the project we will continue to deliver on the efficient, quality service our customers expect.”

Peacock Automotive plans to celebrate the dealership’s updates with a grand re-opening party when it completes renovations on the service shop in the fall.

ABOUT PEACOCK AUTOMOTIVE
Peacock Automotive owns and operates 12 automotive dealerships representing 21 brands in Ga., S.C. and Fla., employing more than 700 individuals. The company’s headquarters are located at Peacock Auto Mall on U.S. 278, five miles east of I-95 at Exit 8 near Bluffton, S.C. The dealerships at the Auto Mall include Peacock Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat, Peacock Subaru, Porsche of Hilton Head, Audi Hilton Head, Jaguar Land Rover Hilton Head, Peacock Hyundai Hilton Head, Genesis of Hilton Head, and Hilton Head Volkswagen. Additionally, the company owns Peacock Hyundai Savannah, Genesis of Savannah and Savannah Volkswagen in Savannah, Ga. Other holdings include Jaguar Land Rover Columbia, Peacock Hyundai Columbia and Hyundai Genesis of Columbia. Its subsidiary, Peacock-Griffey Automotive, owns Peacock Ford in the Orlando area of Fla. Peacock Automotive also owns and operates the Peacock Collision Center in Bluffton, S.C., and Peacock Insurance in Ga., S.C. and Fla. For more information about Peacock Automotive, call (843) 208-1258 or visit https://www.peacockautomotive.com/

CONTACT
Jill Jauch
Peacock Automotive
265 Drivers Way
Hardeeville, SC 29927
Office: 843-208-1217
jj@peacockautomotive.com