COMMUNITY HEADLINES – JANUARY 8, 2024

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah’s Faith and Health Coalition will meet @ 6:00 pm on February 5 at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship, 425 W Montgomery Crossroad, Savannah, Ga. The Coalition supports faith-based organizations in Chatham County that work with their members and communities to build a culture of health. The Coalition is supported by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, administrators of a five-year, $5.1 million Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant awarded by the CDC in September 2023.

https://healthysavannah.org/event/faith-and-health-coalition-meeting/2024-02-05/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Join the Healthy Savannah team every Tuesday for a #healthywalk or head out to explore a local trail on your own. Join us for a two-mile walk at 7:30 a.m. on January 9 at Heartwood at Richmond Hill, 35 Outfitters Park Drive, Richmond Hill, GA 31324.

https://healthysavannah.org/healthy-activities/

(SAVANNAHNOW.COM) A new Enmarket store and a welcome center are coming to the Skidaway Island area. Enmarket recently announced an agreement with Bethesda Academy to bring the store and Bethesda Welcome Center to the area. The facilities will be built at the intersection of Diamond Causeway and Ferguson Avenue.

https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2023/12/19/enmarket-partners-with-bethesda-academy-on-diamond-causeway-store/71854677007/

(WTGS) — The CDC reports a rise in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases as people gather together for the holidays. Healthy Savannah also recommends taking some time to take care of yourself during the festivities.

https://fox28savannah.com/news/local/flu-covid19-surge-holiday-gatherings-respiratory-viruses-georgia-department-health-get-vaccinated-take-care-yourself-stay-healthy-get-tested-december-22-2023

(SAVANNAH, GA) The public is invited to a Wormsloe Tree Planting on the Avenue of Oaks from 1 – 3 p.m. on Jan 27, 2024. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Savannah and the Garden Club of Savannah, the Savannah Tree Foundation will plant the final dozen trees to complete this phase of replanting the Avenue of Oaks. Come on out to help plant these trees and care for the trees planted in previous years. For more info:

https://savannahtreefoundation-bloom.kindful.com/e/wormsloe-tree-planting

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Page came to us after she wound up at Effingham Animal Shelter, still carrying a lot of milk from a recent litter. Unfortunately, no puppies were with her. She was emaciated, so she had some weight to put on as well as skin issues to fix. it was quickly noticeable that she had a strong prey drive, and had likely been a hunting dog at some point (with squirrels a primary target). Page unfortunately is highly dog selective, and reacts very strongly to other dogs when they go by her. She has gotten along with our black lab, Rose. Any home with other dogs will need a slow introduction. Page is incredibly fast running around the play yard and walks well on leash with you. She loves chasing the ball and just hanging out anywhere near you. She is fantastic with people and kids. Page is a member of our “clean kennel” club, holding her business to do until she can get to the play yards at each shift, which leads us to believe she may have been housebroken at some point. While Page was in storm foster for tropical storm Idalia, her foster family said she has not uttered a peep since she got here and goes easily into her crate.

https://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2023-d-040-page/

(SAVANNAH, GA) On Saturday, January 13, about 30 members of Boy Scout Troop 1 and Pack 1 will join with the Friends of Tide to Town for a trail cleanup along Wheaton Street. This pack and troop rank among the largest in the city and may also hold the oldest charters in Savannah. The volunteers are expected to gather at 9 a.m. at A.B. Williams Elementary School, 1150 Wheaton St, Savannah, GA 31404, and then will fan out in two directions equipped with equipment including trash bags and litter grabbers provided by the city of Savannah.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc. is now enrolling for the AbilityOne Training Program on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 7220 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, Ga. 31406. AbilityOne places preference on job seekers with significant disabilities or barriers to employment. No experience? No worries! They will train you!

Enroll here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=5ab7c5e8-53aa-45b3-b2fc-28dfda3e226b&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter&jobId=493480&fbclid=IwAR0p6rRxTvc25t-km1-VLyGaPz12CBRRyR8iVX3TtbfLUUbwBFEOkx0GnJs

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) Historic Savannah Foundation is pleased to announce that Kendall Graham has joined the organization as its new Education & Research associate. Graham will be responsible for helping fulfill HSF’s mission to preserve and protect Savannah’s heritage through education by implementing outreach programs and communication to HSF members, community organizations and the general public. She will work directly under the guidance of CEO Sue Adler to coordinate lectures and workshops, develop educational activities and programs, manage HSF’s preservation and easement programs and summer interns, and assist with outreach to local schools, among other duties.

https://www.myhsf.org/about-us/staff/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia are reminding everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get a flu vaccine. Find a flu vaccine near you at https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/. For more information about Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant-funded adult vax initiatives in Savannah and Chatham County, visit https://healthysavannah.org/adult-immunization/.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah Tree Foundation has been awarded a $1 million, 4-year grant to address equitable tree planting in Chatham County. To learn more about STF, visit savannahtree.org.

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Want to deliver extraordinary customer care that leads to client retention? Wondering how your approach to customer experience leads to tangible outcomes like increased sales, customer retention, and referrals? Discover practical ways to improve relationships with your clients.

(SAVANNAH BUSINESS JOURNAL) One of Savannah’s most photographed historic sites, colonial Wormsloe, unveiled its new visitor center this week. State and local leaders, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials, members of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and others gathered for the ribbon-cutting at the new Wormsloe State Historic Site Visitor Center.

https://www.savannahbusinessjournal.com/community/georgia_business_news/jan-5—-wormsloe-state-historic-site-unveils-new-visitor-center/article_cade6402-ab68-11ee-a599-cf796e07cad5.html?utm_source=savannahbusinessjournal.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Fheadlines%2F%3F-dc%3D1704448809&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

(SAVANNAH, GA) January is National Hot Tea Month. Celebrate by brewing up a cup of Health Equi-Tea, a special blend created by Ashford Tea Company in partnership with Healthy Savannah. Health Equi-Tea is a loose, tasty tisane with great ingredients that can be served hot or cold. Enjoy this special blend of sliced turmeric, rooibos, fennel, Melissa’s leaves, coconut flakes, sea buckthorn, aloe vera, chamomile, sweet blackberry leaves, peppermint, blue cornflower blossoms, and chlorella algae powder. The ingredients come with a suite of potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, improving mood, and helping with sleep and relaxation.

https://ashfordtea.co/product/health-equi-tea/

(SAVANNAH, GA) You are invited to attend these FREE program evaluation training opportunities in 2024. Register by scanning the QR code or visit this link for Leadership 101 or this link for Leadership 201.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKrHIVi2XrOqAN0Tpk1XsKyPxOv5GQQL3tsin-djDdspdVCQ/viewform

(HINESVILLE, GA) Hinesville Downtown Development Authority is looking for Farmers Market vendors. The deadline to apply is January 17, 2024. To learn more about becoming a vendor or to request a vendor application contact Market Manager, Kenya Romero at mainstreet@hinesvilledowntown.com or call 912-877-4332.

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Want to improve your marketing results? Wondering how to tap into proven human behaviors to influence people? Explore behavior science tips that lead to better marketing results.

(COASTAL HEALTH DISTRICT) Wondering if your cough is from COVID or the flu? Want to make sure you aren’t bringing either respiratory virus to your next family gathering? Now you can get free COVID and flu tests from seven testing kiosks in the Coastal Health District. The kiosks dispense two test kits – one for COVID and one for influenza. They are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Savannah, Pembroke, St. Marys, Hinesville, Brunswick and Darien. Pre-registration for testing is not required but is available at https://register.testandgo.com/. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the tests provided through a DPH kiosk; for individuals with insurance, their insurance will be billed. In addition to testing, vaccination and good respiratory hygiene also help prevent the spread of COVID and flu. The Coastal Health District encourages everyone to frequently and thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow to help prevent the spread of germs and stay home from work or school if you’re sick.

https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/free-testing-for-covid-and-flu-now-available-at-testing-kiosks-throughout-coastal-health-district/.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Tickets are now available – with early bird prices till 12/31/23 – for the Savannah High School class of 1974’s 50th reunion on June 8, 2024. Several exciting events are planned at various price ranges, including some FREE options. Join us for breakfast, a school tour of Savannah Arts, then dining and dancing at the Savannah Golf Club. All class members and friends of SHS 1974 are welcome.

tinyurl.com/SHS74Tix

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) Are you a faith-based organization in Savannah/Chatham County interested in encouraging a culture of health among your members and the broader community?

Please join the Faith and Health Coalition at our next virtual meeting to discuss the importance of health within our community. Please email FaithAndHealth@healthysavannah.org for the meeting link. For more information, visit the Faith and Health Coalition page on the Healthy Savannah website.

https://healthysavannah.org/the-faith-and-health-coalition/