COMMUNITY HEADLINES – FEBRUARY 15, 2021

HUNGER IS REAL. HELP IS HERE.

(SAVANNAH, GA) A new resource is now available to help those needing food assistance. Bus cards are being installed on Chatham Area Transit buses that feature a QR code which, when read by a smartphone camera, instantly connects people with the help they need to locate and secure low-cost, healthy food throughout Chatham County. The bus card program is funded by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded by the Centers for Disease Control’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, whose purpose is to eliminate disparities in health outcomes based on race and income in Savannah and Chatham County.https://healthysavannah.org/nutrition-destination/

COMCAST OFFERS MARKETING AND TECHNOLOGY GRANTS TO BIPOC-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES

(CSRWIRE) Comcast has announced the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, providing $5 million dollars of grants to hundreds of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned, small businesses in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston and Philadelphia. In addition to the investment fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for BIPOC-owned, small businesses nationwide to apply for a technology- or marketing-focused grant opportunity. Over 700 recipients were announced in November, with the next wave of recipients to be announced in March 2021. https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/718391-comcast-rise-award-5-million-grants-small-businesses

NATIONAL YOUTH-AT-RISK CONFERENCE GOES VIRTUAL

(GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY) The National Youth-At-Risk Conference goes virtual March 8-10. Youth advocates from across the country will engage in training to help them continue to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering environments for kids. Register at http://coe.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/

UNION MISSION ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Union Mission Board of Directors is proud to announce that Michael C. Traynor has been named as President and CEO, effective February 15, 2021. Traynor assumes the role following an announcement of current Executive Director Pat Youngquist’s retirement in the spring of 2021. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2951456525088295

HEALTHY MOMENT

(SAVANNAH, GA) In this week’s Healthy Moment video, host Frandasia Williams speaks with a partner of the Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health or REACH grant. Jeb Bush from Forsyth Farmers’ Market discusses Farm Truck 912’s role in the Market’s mission to make fresh produce accessible to the community, all while helping local farmers.

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

(SAVANNAH, GA) The 6th Annual JIT “FORE Vision” Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, April 12 at the Landings Palmetto Course, to benefit the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision. The Center is southeast Georgia’s fully accredited, community facility providing visual rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Since 1963, the Center has provided low vision and blind services throughout 29 counties in the southeast portion of our state. https://savannahcblv.org/event/2021-fore-vision-golf-tournament/

CAR LOAN QUESTIONS

(CENTER PARC) Center Parc Credit Union can help you decide whether to get a car loan from a bank or a credit union. Click the link below to visit the blog and learn more.

SEASONAL FLU FACTS

(CDC) Did you know that flu vaccines contain small, inactive parts of a virus? After getting the shot, it takes the body about two weeks to build its defenses against the flu.

PODCAST

(WATERCOOLER) Meet the new officers of Buy Local Savannah. This program additionally features guests from the Entrepreneurial Center, Club Car Championship at the Landings Club, and the Mediation Center. https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-cq4cf-fa6ca6

ENMARKET SPONSORS URBAN HOPE FUNDRAISER

(SAVANNAH, GA) Enmarket is a proud sponsor of Urban Hope’s 11th Annual Chefs and Chocolates, the Virtual Edition, to be held on February 19. Urban Hope is a local nonprofit that gives inner-city and at-risk children in Savannah a sense of hope and future through spiritual, educational development and life management skills at after-school and summer programs. Those programs are funded through fundraisers including the annual Chefs and Chocolates event.

COLONIAL GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW CEO

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah-based Colonial Group Inc. has announced a new era of leadership as it prepares to mark a major milestone in the company’s history in 2021. Christian B. Demere has been named chief executive officer, representing the fourth generation of family management in the company. https://napipelines.com/colonial-group-new-leadership-nears-100-years/

MARJORIE YOUNG PRESENTS FREE ONLINE PR CLASS WITH SAVANNAH ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER

(SAVANNAH, GA) The City of Savannah is hosting a free online class, “Increase Positive Buzz in the Community and Online,” offered in conjunction with the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center. On March 25 from 12 noon to 1 PM, learn from community publicist Marjorie Young as she shares powerful tips on how to position oneself as the authority in the field, how to create brand ambassadors by forming an advisory board, and how to create a “Repeatable Tagline™” that helps the positive buzz spread easier and faster. https://www.savannahga.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=4568&month=3&year=2021&day=25&calType=0

ANNUAL SAVANNAH BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL GOES VIRTUAL

(SAVANNAH, GA) The 32nd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival is virtual this year with a full schedule of activities. Presented February 5-21 by Savannah State University with investment by the City of Savannah, the event will include readings, art installations, dance performances, concerts, a marketplace, and more. Most events will be presented at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkJjjSQeXnRoltz2Dk8FdVg. For more information and the full schedule, visit www.savannahblackheritagefestival.org.

MARJORIE YOUNG TO PRESENT “REPUTATION MATRIX” WORKSHOP FOR SCORE

(SAVANNAH, GA) As part of SCORE’s “Tools to Grow Your Business” Lunch-and-Learn Series, Marjorie Young will present a webinar on “The Reputation Matrix” from 12 to 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 15. Young is the founder of Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc. and has been a community and SEO publicist for over 25 years. She is the author of Reputation Matrix™ and holds frequent PR boot camps and monthly online coaching webinars that empower business owners and nonprofit organizations to take control of their PR, brand, and message.

Register here: https://score.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bIvtI_F8QgmnTOHc3aCRdw

ELIZA NEEDS A HOME

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Eliza is a sweet little lady who is a bit wary of this big, chaotic world.

Her perfect day would be to snuggle with you on the couch and watch a period romance movie, while maybe catching a nap during the slower parts. She’s polite and not pushy, but does like to sneak in some kisses if you’re deemed worthy.

HOW TO PERSUADE WITH VIDEO: CREATING EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Want more people to love and buy from you? Wondering how to use video to relate to your customers? Video marketing expert Matt Johnston explains how to optimize your videos to create emotional connections with your audience. Discover three tips to script and produce video that forges emotional connections that turn viewers into loyal fans and customers.