COMMUNITY HEADLINES – MARCH 20, 2023

(SAVANNAH, GA) Coastal Pet Rescue, an organization dedicated to changing the lives of homeless, abused and neglected pets. To celebrate, they will be hosting a Blue Jeans Soiree on Sunday, April 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at La Scala. In addition to the party, local artist AJ Hetzel is painting murals of CPR’s adopted pets to decorate its adoption room at their shelter, Camp Pawsawhile Retreat. Families can sponsor a mural of their adoptee at coastalpetrescue.org/events/cpr-20. The portraits will be unveiled at an event on May 10. Tickets are available online at coastalpetrescue.org/events/cpr-20-party.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society is asking residents of the Coastal Empire to wear two different socks on World Down Syndrome Day to raise awareness of people with different abilities. World Down Syndrome Day will be observed Tuesday, March 21, 2023. When it was recognized by the United Nations in 2012, the 21st day of the third month of the year was chosen to reflect the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.

https://carriagetradepr.com/lowcountry-picks-different-way-to-observe-world-down-syndrome-day/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union will be hosting a free Business Lunch and Learn Event in support of Horizons Giving day on May 10th at noon at the Flagship Branch located at 5698-A Ogeechee Road. Box lunches will be provided. Community members can learn more about Horizons and the upcoming Horizons Giving Day.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHnCIe5A7jWEEM-Wd0wolvc_W_3Pzce3OwG8v5CBb3JXaGWQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

(COLONIAL OIL INDUSTRIES) Join Colonial Oil Industries in congratulating Gabrielle Butler on her new promotion to Terminal Operations Manager. In this position, Gabrielle will be responsible for coordinating incoming and outgoing cargos and communicating terminal and rack operation information. Her years of experience will help her also excel in facilitating the offloading of products and ensuring Colonial’s multiple ocean terminals are stocked with the additives that customers look for to improve fuel performance.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=660751169387623&set=a.623213036474770

(CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION) Take your savings goals to another level. Ask for Kasasa Saver and find out how you could save more and earn high interest on what you save.

https://www.centerparc.org/product-pages/kasasa-saver/

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Want to be more persuasive? Wondering which words will influence people to take action? Discover how to use language to guide people to a desired outcome.

(WSAV) The proposed Wetlands Preserve Park and nature trails will be located just north of Enmarket Arena. There is already an $80,000 grant set aside to help pay for it. But first officials want people who live there to be the ones calling the shots about what it should look like.

https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/savannah/neighborhood-weighs-in-on-enmarket-arena-development/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Nominate your Champions TODAY for the 14th Annual Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s Night of Champions! This year’s event will be Friday, May 12, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before! Log onto their website at https://ldssga.org/night-of-champions/ to nominate your Champion today!

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) This is Milo. He had a family that taught him commands, house broke and crate trained him, let him sleep on the couch and in the bed, took him for walks, made him calm and submissive to other dogs and even to tolerate cats, but that family dumped him on the side of the road. Now, he’s safe and well taken care of by his foster. Milo has mild separation anxiety and he pees a little when he’s excited. Milo is a young little guy who is only 1-2 years old and weighs only 23 lbs. He’s such a good boy and will fall madly in love with you.

https://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2023-d-060-milo/

(AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION) Nine hospital employees from UAB Medicine in Alabama candidly discuss their COVID-19 vaccine experience, including any initial hesitancy and side effects. Team members from environmental services, food services, guest services and supply chain services share their “why” for getting the vaccine.

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) The Chatham County Health Department will offer FREE mammograms to eligible women on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive. The St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Mobile Mammography Unit will be in the Health Department’s parking lot from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free mammography screening will be available by appointment for women between the ages of 40 and 64 who meet income guidelines and have no health insurance coverage.

https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/free-mammograms-at-the-chatham-county-health-department-march-28/

(ENMARKET) Enter for a chance to win a Club Car Onward and a VIP experience at a private Yacht Rock Revue concert held during the 2023 Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club. Visit one of these participating locations to purchase your $50 Sweepstakes ticket and enter: 4318 Ogeechee Rd, Savannah GA 31405; 3024 E. Victory Dr, Thunderbolt, GA 31404; 1601 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA 31322

https://www.facebook.com/enmarketstations/posts/pfbid0BhkvPF26VikDrvj3REbUUdnkbxAFEJS7hBVA6F6Qm6VbffCdPNsUGF3Fb3UwnJQ2l

(WTOC) Joe Marchese and his daughter Ella appeared on WTOC to encourage folks to wear two different socks on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2023.

https://www.wtoc.com/2023/03/13/world-down-syndrome-day-is-next-week/

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Need more leads but don’t have the budget to run ads? Looking for an organic LinkedIn prospecting process that works? Discover how to use LinkedIn Messages to develop relationships and sell.

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) Chatham County Parks & Recreation will be hosting its Annual Eggstravaganza from 11 am to 1 pm on April 1. Children 11 years of age and under are invited to participate in the egg hunt. There will be prizes and treats and fun for the whole family including face painting, inflatable obstacle courses, henna tattoos and balloon twisting. The egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. at Lake Mayer Community Park. For more information, call 912-650-6002 or email kwilson@chathamcounty.org.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chatham-county-parks-recreation-annual-eggstravaganza-tickets-541552988567

https://www.facebook.com/events/1833382317061270

(SAVANNAH, GA) On Tuesday, March 21, the public is invited to meet up with members of Healthy Savannah, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society at 7:30 a.m. in the parking area at Scarborough Sports Complex, Skidaway at Bona Bella Ave. for a two-mile trek of the Truman Linear Park Trail to celebrate the three year anniversary of #HEALTHY WALKS and commemorate World Down Syndrome Day.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannah-and-ymca-celebrate-three-years-of-healthy-walks-on-march-21/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The official Earth Day Savannah celebration returns for the first time since 2019 on April 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Daffin Park, 1301 E. Victory Drive. The 2023 Earth Day Savannah theme is “Our Future is Bright” to educate and engage the public on the clean energy goals of the 100% Savannah Plan: https://www.savannahga.gov/2931/100-Savannah. Earth Day Savannah is hosted by the City of Savannah Office of Sustainability, with support from Pratt Industries – Recycling Division, and other local business sponsors.

https://earthdaysavannah.org/

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) March is National Nutrition Month, Savannah! How can you and your family “fuel for the future”? Thinking about what we can eat to stay healthy; we take a dive into our planet’s health as well. Eating nutritious foods with our planet’s well-being in mind may not be as difficult as we think. Eating a diet with all food groups (carbs, protein, grains, vegetables) whether frozen, canned, fresh or dried while limiting packaging will help you and the environment. Plan to create your own garden! It can be as easy as buying a tomato plant and taking care of it and you will save yourself money buying tomatoes! We encourage you to explore the options and discover the fun of healthy eating! Try this link to get more information about eating healthy while taking care of our planet: https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023/resources

https://mailchi.mp/healthysavannah/celebrating-public-health-8711333?e=2e3e573688

(SAVANNAH, GA) Live 5K event Saturday, April 8, at the Ronald McDonald House located on the campus of Memorial Health Hospital. The Annual Red Shoes Run is a day of fun for the entire family. Show your support of The Ronald McDonald House mission to help keep families close by joining other runners wearing red-and-white striped socks on Saturday, April 8. There are no refunds for this event. If you are unable to make the race or there is rain/inclement weather, your registration will be considered a donation to the Ronald McDonald House and very much appreciated. Virtual 5K and Sleep In for Families options are also available. Registration includes a pair of red & white striped socks and a McDonald’s value meal card.

https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Savannah/RedShoesRun

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Ashford Tea Company on 406 E. Oglethorpe Ave, hosts Wellness Tea Conversations every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. The conversations center on different dimensions of wellness such as physical, emotional, and environmental among others with the presence of Wellbeing Coach Rosa Maria Olortegui and accompanied by a great and healthy cup of tea. Click the link to learn more: https://ashfordtea.co/product/wellness-tea-conversations/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah Philharmonic and the Savannah Music Festival are in support of the City’s plan to renovate the Johnny Mercer Theatre. The proposed plan includes the largest restoration of the Oglethorpe Plan in Savannah’s history, returning six of the 10 blocks that were lost in Elbert and Orleans wards when the Civic Center was built in 1972. The Johnny Mercer Theatre is part of an important portfolio of entertainment venues, including the Enmarket Arena, the Lucas Theatre for the Arts.

https://carriagetradepr.com/savannah-philharmonic-and-savannah-music-festival-in-support-of-the-citys-plan-to-renovate-the-johnny-mercer-theatre/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Union Mission will host its 8th Annual Raising Hope on Tuesday, June 6 at the Savannah Convention Center. Presented by Oliver Maner LLP and Nine Line Apparel, the event will be emceed by Rabbi Robert Haas, leader of Congregation Mickve Israel and Tina Tyus-Shaw, lead anchor for WSAV News 3 as a special guest emcee. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring Jeremy Davis & the Equinox Jazz Trio and domestic & international travel silent auction items by AmFund, followed by dinner & program at 7:00 p.m. The program will feature keynote speaker David Ambroz. He is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate, Emmy nominated, and best-selling author of A Place Called Home. Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities for Raising Hope are available at www.unionmission.org. For more information, contact Mark Toth, Union Mission’s director of Major Gifts & Organizational Strategy at (248) 770-3933 or mtoth@unionmission.org.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The popular Hoops for Horizons “three vs three” charity basketball tournament will be making a comeback with new twists on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25 at Savannah Country Day School. For youth teams, 5th-8th graders, registration is $100. It’s $150 for teams with members in 9th grade-adult. Visit www.horizonssavannah.org/hoops or call 912-961-8854 for more info.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Live Oak Public Libraries and Coastal Heritage Society announce a new partnership offering free family passes to the community. Live Oak Public Libraries library card holders in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties can check out a Coastal Heritage Society Family Pass, usable for up to eight people per visit, for free admission to Savannah History Museum, Savannah Children’s Museum, Georgia State Railroad Museum, Old Fort Jackson, and Pin Point Heritage Museum. Each library location will have one pass available, and passes are valid for seven days. Learn more at liveoakpl.org/passes.

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC) The Lowcountry Gullah Foundation announces its Annual Fundraiser on Friday, May 12 at the USCB Hilton Head Campus. Join the Foundation for an intimate evening of Gullah culture and grace through storytelling, dinner, and a silent auction. Nationally known Master Gullah Storyteller, Sista Patt will speak and share incredible stories about the culture, its foodways and music. Sponsorships for Sankofa Nights are still available, please contact gullahland@gmail.com or 843.715.3506 for more information. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sankofa-nights-tickets-520421343247?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

(SAVANNAH, GA) Young children need fruits and vegetables daily to support healthy growth and brain development but a new study has found 1 in 2 Georgia children don’t eat a vegetable daily and 1 in 3 don’t eat a fruit daily. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released the results of a 2021 study, “Fruit, Vegetable, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Young Children, by State.” [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7207a1.htm?s_cid=mm7207a1_w] The data indicates the importance of and need for interventions at both the national and state levels that improve young children’s nutrition to support their optimal growth and brain development.

https://carriagetradepr.com/national-study-recommends-georgia-children-need-to-eat-more-fruits-and-vegetables/

(HILTON HEAD, SC) Libraries For Kids, International, will host a World Book Day Celebrity Gala dinner & dance from 5-9 p.m. on April 22 at Martin Family Park in downtown Bluffton, SC. The fundraiser to benefit children who live in places with no internet, electricity, or libraries in their schools will feature music by the 2020 Readers’ Choice best local band, The Chiggers. Each event ticket buys a seat at a table with a local, national, or international celebrity. Sponsorship packages are available. Click HERE https://www.libraries4kids.org/events for tickets or to sponsor.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Creative Coast has announced Winter/Spring 2023 sessions for Girls Code, a youth coding program for girls in 5th to 8th grade attending Savannah Chatham County Public Schools. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to code video games using MIT Scratch during the upcoming season’s Girls Code Games. Sessions will run independently of one another and take place from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at a different Live Oak Public Library branch each week on the following Saturdays: April 1, and April 8. Registration is required for attendance. Seats are limited so The Creative Coast encourages early sign-ups to reserve a spot. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.thecreativecoast.org/girlscode.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Do you know a business that deserves recognition for hiring workers with different abilities? If so, here is your chance to recognize them. The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is seeking nominations for its 14th annual Night of Champions on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 6-11 p.m. at The Savannah Convention Trade Center on Hutchinson Island. The multifaceted event includes recognition of some of the area’s outstanding employers of differently-abled people, and the public is invited to nominate businesses for this recognition. Employee nominations may be completed online at https://ldssga.org/night-of-champions and will remain open until March 22.

https://carriagetradepr.com/lowcountry-down-syndrome-society-issues-call-for-nominations-for-2023-night-of-champions/

(CDC.GOV) Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. However, if you were not able to get vaccinated yet, vaccination is still recommended because flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May. Find a flu vaccine near you at https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2022-2023.htm

(SAVANNAH, GA) On Thursday, March 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., Pin Point Heritage Museum will host its annual “Art & Oysters,” a coastal-themed fundraising event featuring a silent auction of original artwork presented by local artists. Guests are invited to meet and greet with the participating artists and enjoy an evening on the Moon River marsh. Proceeds from the auction will support educational programs and operations at Pin Point Heritage Museum. Tickets for “Art & Oysters” are $60 for Coastal Heritage Society Members and $75 for nonmembers and may be purchased by contacting Dan McCall at 912-944-7457 or registering at: bit.ly/AandO2023.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Fresh Express no-cost fresh food distribution program is seeking volunteers for its three sites.

• 1st Friday: The intersection of Waters and 40th St.
• 3rd Friday: Curtis V. Cooper Family Health at 106 E. Broad St.
• 3rd Friday: Moses Jackson Center at 1410 Richards St.

All begin at 9:30 a.m. on the day of distribution. To sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/i7eDcdi5em. For more information: Laura Schmarkey at Laura.Schmarkey@ymcaofcoastalga.org.

(STEPUPSAVANNAH.ORG) Step Up Savannah is accepting applications for the 2023 Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP) training sessions. This is a cornerstone workforce development program targeting those who are unemployed and underemployed in Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Bryan counties with services and training aimed at helping them become stabilized in employment. The program includes hard and soft skills training coupled with wrap-around services. Upcoming 2023 training sessions are April 10-May 4 and May 22- June 14. Sign up online:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3lxUE38bCPfnIYyszFowmke0iP-SZ9MjrLsKv7WAPLmM58Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

(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/