COMMUNITY HEADLINES – MARCH 28, 2022

SAVANNAH’S CORNER STORE PROGRAM AWARDED $10K CITY GRANT AND EXPANDS TO OFFER MORE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES

(SAVANNAH, GA) Six local stores are now participating in the Corner Store Initiative to make healthy food choices the easy choice in small retail stores that are often the only source of food in some of Savannah’s low-wealth neighborhoods. The program experienced challenges during the COVID pandemic, but is now beginning to thrive and new incentives are being introduced to entice more retailers and their customers to get on board. Retailers wishing to enroll in this free program to enhance food access should contact Dr. Deidre Grim at grimconsultingllc@gmail.com or Ruby Hallam at ruby.hallam@ymcaofcoastalga.org. For more information on the Corner Store Initiative please visit healthysavannah.org/healthy-corner-store-initiative.

BRETT GIESICK NAMED CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF SAVANNAH-BASED COLONIAL GROUP INC.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Colonial Group Inc. has announced that Brett Giesick has been named chief operating officer for the Savannah-based group of companies. Giesick has served as president of Colonial Group’s retail division, Enmarket, since 2017. He is the first person to serve in the role of COO for Colonial.

TOBACCO-FREE LIVING

#ThisIsQuitting has your back. Text VAPEFREEGA to 88709 to begin your quitting journey.

HOW TO USE LINKEDIN NEWSLETTERS

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Want to start sending regular updates to your LinkedIn following? Are you wondering if LinkedIn newsletters would work for your business? Learn why you should explore LinkedIn newsletters including the pros and cons, what you can publish, and how to get them to convert.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

(SAVANNAH, GA) – United Way of the Coastal Empire is proud to announce the annual Women Who Rule event will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. This year’s event is sponsored by Step One Automotive Group and will honor Ellen Bolch, President and CEO of THA Group, as the 2022 “Woman of the Year.” Table sponsorships and tickets are currently available for purchase. For more information, visit www.uwce.org/womenwhorule.

COMMUNITY CELEBRATED HEALTHY WALK ANNIVERSARY

(SAVANNAH, GA) Dozens participated in a Healthy Walk on the Truman Linear Park Trail on March 22 to celebrate Healthy Savannah and YMCA’s two-year milestone of encouraging folks to get out and get active. Each week for the past two years the group has walked different trails around Savannah. To participate in future Tuesday morning walks visit https://www.facebook.com/healthysav.

ECHO NEEDS A HOME

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Echo is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She is a 1.5 yr old Chihuahua/Jack Russel mix. Echo wants nothing more than to be with her person giving and receiving love. She came to us after she had to have her front leg amputated. Someone wrapped an injury with medical tape and did nothing else. Her leg was so badly infected it could not be saved therefore had to be amputated. This does not slow this girl down one bit. She loves to run and play and can even jump on the couch. She gets along with other dogs and older children. She will make someone a loyal lapdog!

WHY POLLEN SEASON ARRIVES EARLY IN COASTAL GEORGIA

(THE CURRENT) As a seasonal allergy sufferer, Alan Harvey, Ph.D., was curious what types of pollen cause his sniffles and sneezes in Statesboro. So the biology professor at Georgia Southern University’s College of Science and Mathematics did what any curious mind would do — he began exploring the types of pollen throughout Coastal Georgia while trying to narrow down the culprit of his symptoms.

INSTAGRAM CONTENT STRATEGY MADE EASY

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) In this video, expert Nicky Saunders will walk you through the three step process for building an Instagram content strategy that boosts engagement and simplifies your workday. You’ll discover how to evaluate your content and fill in the gaps to make sure you’re posting consistently and with content that your audience will love. You’ll get examples of what a monthly Instagram content strategy looks like for both product and service-based businesses. Plus, you’ll get a few simple engagement tips to get more out of your posts.

ENMARKET STOREFRONT AT THE JA COLONIAL GROUP DISCOVERY CENTER CUTS RIBBON

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) As Savannah’s largest convenience store chain and one that continues to grow, ribbon-cuttings are not that unusual for Enmarket. But earlier this month, the store observed a ribbon-cutting unlike any other in its history. The facility the ceremony opened was not a regular store, but instead was a storefront inside the Junior Achievement Colonial Group Discovery Center at the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern University.

SAV PHILHARMONIC’S KEITARO HARADA AWARDED ONE OF JAPAN’S HIGHEST MUSICAL HONORS

(SAVANNAH, GA / JAPAN) Keitaro Harada, conductor for the Savannah Philharmonic, received the Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award. This award is presented to young, promising cellists and conductors. The Sony Music Foundation established the Hideo Saito Memorial Award in 2002. The committee selected Keitaro because of his vast musical knowledge and training gained from living abroad and training under wonderful mentors. They mention the courage he shows as Music & Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic and how he has improved the importance of music in the Savannah region.

LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY ANNOUNCES TICKET SALES FOR NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS, APRIL 14

(SAVANNAH, GA) After one year of virtual staging and a COVID pause year the Lowcountry Down Syndrome’s Night of Champions returns April 14, 2022, as an in-person event at The Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island. The multifaceted event includes recognition of some of the area’s outstanding differently abled employees and their employers.

ARDSLEY PARK TOUR OF HOME & GARDENS

(SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC) SavPhil is teaming up with Ardsley Park Tour of Homes and Gardens on Saturday, April 9th for a performance in Kavanaugh Park from 12:30-1:30 p.m. No tickets are required to attend. This event is free and open to the public.

PRETEEN IMMUNIZATIONS

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) – The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends certain immunizations for preteens 11 to 12 years old which include human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) and Tdap. Everyone 11-12 years of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year and preteens may also need to catch up on other immunizations, including chickenpox, MMR (measles mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, and COVID-19. For more information on immunization schedules, please visit coastalhealthdistrict.org/immunizations.

DIGICON THE SERIES, FIRST SESSION BEGINS APRIL 7, 2022

(SAVANNAH, GA) The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a Public Service and Outreach unit of the University of Georgia, and Blue Edge Business Solutions invite small business owners and marketing managers to a brand-new four-part digital marketing series. Take the mystery out of the ever-changing platforms, strategies, tactics and tools and gain confidence in your ability to identify digital marketing opportunities to grow your business and the tactical ability to put them into place. Take individual workshops or take all four and save. https://bit.ly/digicon2022

FDA IS A STEP CLOSER TO SHUTTING DOWN LOOPHOLE THAT’S FUELING TEEN VAPING

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) A provision in the congressional spending bill would give the Food and Drug Administration greater authority to regulate synthetic nicotine — an ingredient e-cigarette manufacturers have used to get around regulations. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the new regulation would be part of the effort to stop the dangerous resurgence in teen vaping. Healthy Savannah and the Coastal Health District are encouraging young people who want to quit smoking or vaping to know that help is just a phone call or text away. Call the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line at (877) 270-STOP and get confidential, 24/7 support through #ThisIsQuitting by texting VAPEFREEGA to 88709.

CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES $1000 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) High school seniors are invited to apply for the 2022 Youth Member Development Scholarship Award being presented by Center Parc Credit Union. The financial organization will present two $1,000 scholarships to students who are entering college or vocational school this year. The deadline for submitting a completed application packet with supporting documents is March 31, 2022. To access the packet and full information about the application process, visit https://www.centerparc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Center_Parc_2022_Scholarship_Packet-Print_Ready.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2seZ1oJL1sc8uqiDBrCd7HzRixGBoppeDgx1M3uZ6ff4KfWgdjryC-wLw.

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH SCORE

(SAVANNAH BUSINESS JOURNAL) Savannah State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), has partnered with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, to help students gain valuable skills in planning, launching and operating their own businesses. Six local business people from the SCORE network will mentor students throughout March culminating in a business pitch competition later this spring.

TAKE THE HEALTHY SAVANNAH COMMUNITY SURVEY

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) Healthy Savannah’s 2022 Community Survey is ready and we would love for you to take it so we can learn more about the health needs and wants in our community! Take the survey in the month of March for a chance to win a gift certificate to Ashford Tea Company!

TWILIGHT EGG HUNT – APRIL 15

(CHATHAM COUNTY) Chatham County Parks and Recreation will present the Twilight Egg Hunt on Friday, April 15th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex, 7221 Sallie Mood Drive for ages: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The Easter Bunny will be present for photos at this FREE event.

SCCPSS GRADUATION

(SAVANNAH CEO) The Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) 2022 graduation schedule was released at the February Regular Board Meeting as the Board approved a contract to hold the ceremonies at Savannah’s new Enmarket Arena. In-person graduation ceremonies were held for years at the Savannah Civic Center, before being held virtually in 2020 and returning to an in-person experience in 2021 held outdoors at T.A. Wright Stadium on the campus of Savannah State University.

COASTAL HEALTH DISTRICT TO HOST WALK TO BRING AWARENESS TO HIV

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) The Coastal Health District will host “Walk to Stop the Spread” at Forsyth Park on Saturday, April 16. The health fair and park walk are being held to raise awareness around HIV. The event is free and open to the public and participants who register will receive a free swag bag and t-shirt. There is no cost to register. To register, go to coastalhealthdistrict.org/hiv or to eventbrite.com. You can also register in person at the Chatham County Health Department located at 1602 Drayton Street during regular operational hours.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: WORLD TRADE CENTER SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

(SAVANNAH, GA) World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) is now calling for nominations for the 2022 World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the Year Award. Given annually, the award recognizes companies that excel in international trade and acknowledges the importance of trade to the region’s economy. This award is presented to encourage and recognize exemplary corporate leadership for international business or trade that advances relations between the U.S. and other nations as well as creates quality jobs in the region. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 1. Nominations can be submitted online at wtcsavannah.org/nomination2022 or for more information contact Antwone Smoak at asmoak@wtcsavannah.org.

SOUTHERN COAST HEART BALL – APRIL 2

(SAVANNAH, GA) The 2022 Southern Coast Heart Ball is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront, 100 General McIntosh Boulevard in Savannah. Through the Southern Coast Heart Ball campaign, the American Heart Association celebrates a collective success in driving change, funding science and improving health – no matter where, or how, we gather. That means taking efforts beyond the ballroom, working every day to help every heart. For more information visit SouthernCoastHeartBall.heart.org.

GREEN GALA

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah Tree Foundation is celebrating 40 years of Growth. Sponsorships and tickets are available for the Green Gala on April 23, 2022, at Tiedeman Park. savannahtree.org/greengala

ENROLLMENT IS UNDERWAY FOR FOOD FARMACY 912’S FREE NUTRITION CLASSES AND PRODUCE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Open enrollment for Food Farmacy 912 is now underway through April. This program of Forsyth Farmers’ Market takes place March through October. Participants attend classes on healthy living, nutrition and cooking and receive vouchers for fresh, local produce redeemable at the Forsyth Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and Farm Truck 912’s 13 regular stops.

FAITH AND HEALTH COALITION

(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.

Meeting Dates:

March 30th @ 12pm

May 25th @ 12pm

July 27th @ 12pm

September 28th @ 12pm

November 30th @ 12pm