COMMUNITY HEADLINES – MAY 8, 2023

(SAVANNAH, GA) Historic Savannah Foundation kicked off its celebration of Preservation Month with the annual Historic Preservation Awards on May 4. HSF presented awards to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in preservation in Savannah and Chatham County. Watch the full unveiling video: https://www.myhsf.org/events/preservation-month/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society has announced the 14th annual Night of Champions will be Friday, May 12th, 2023, from 6-11pm at the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island.The Night of Champions event recognizes area businesses that employ differently abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and celebrates the contributions made by these employees. Order your tickets, reserve your table, sponsor a past Champion and guest, or set up your Sponsorship package ASAP. Use link https://NOC2023.givesmart.com.

https://carriagetradepr.com/lowcountry-down-syndrome-society-set-for-14th-annual-night-of-champions/

(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.

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

https://www.wtoc.com/2023/05/04/horizons-giving-day-lunch-learn/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah observed its 16th anniversary on May 2 at the Charles H. Morris Center in Savannah. The non-profit organization is known locally and nationally for championing a culture of health in Savannah and Chatham County by fostering programs and promoting environments that make the healthy choice the easy choice. During the breakfast event, held every other year with a collaborative network of local partners, Healthy Savannah announced the winner of the 2023 Health Innovation Award to Loop it Up Savannah and celebrated the milestones that have made and are making Savannah a healthier place to live and work.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannah-celebrates-16-years-and-bestows-2023-health-innovation-award-to-loop-it-up-savannah-at-biennial-meeting/

(RICHMOND HILL, Ga.) Enmarket celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting of its new Richmond Hill location at 3651 Highway 17. A large crowd from the Richmond Hill community gathered to help celebrate their 130th store in the southeast. Guests were treated to product samplings from vendors like Red Bull, Monster Energy, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Leopold’s Ice Cream, Ghost Energy, and free giveaways.

https://carriagetradepr.com/enmarket-cuts-ribbon-in-richmond-hill-for-its-130th-store/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah Philharmonic is pleased to announce the contract extension of Executive Director Amy Williams through the 2025-26 season. Dr. Williams has played a pivotal role in elevating the organization’s presence and fostering connections within the community since her tenure began.

https://carriagetradepr.com/savannah-philharmonic-extends-contract-of-executive-director-amy-williams-through-2025-26-season/

(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

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) Thinking of making a video reel about your organization’s story or events? Healthy Savannah recently developed a presentation for a CDC communications webinar to explain how the nonprofit develops livestream videos. The process includes reviewing technical considerations, getting permission from participants, and creating content engagement. This recording was excerpted from a ZOOM meeting with Healthy Savannah’s PR team, which is, in itself, another example of creating video content to share on your social media sites.

(WSAV) – The Historic Savannah Foundation hosted its annual Preservation Awards on Thursday at the Charles H. Morris Center.

https://www.wsav.com/aroundtown/gallery-historic-savannah-foundation-announces-2023-preservation-award-winners/

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Want to create more effective marketing campaigns? Wondering how buyers make purchase decisions? Discover how neuroscience can help us become better marketers.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Loop It Up is now accepting book donations for a Book Box Project with 500 kindergarten students at five local public schools. The goal is to have 5,000 books, so each student can take home a box with a minimum of 10 books. Books should be age appropriate for children ages 5-7. They should be new or gently used. Books should not be written in, or have torn or missing pages. Books can be dropped off at Loop It Up Savannah, 1106 E. 59th St., by Friday, May 12. Volunteers are also needed to help decorate book boxes and to sort and deliver books to the different schools participating in this project. Click to volunteer and learn more: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjCw4mH-R_JUinTkZy8EMaWmDqmtKLlTQY8aPVV6mdDVnQtg/viewform?usp=send_form

(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 May 9 at Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd, Thunderbolt, GA 31404. For more information contact Armand.Turner@healthysavannah.org.

https://healthysavannah.org/series/healthy-walk/

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Paolo and his friends were abandoned a few weeks ago. They were rescued by one of our volunteers. Paolo is a young dog, neutered and has recently had a repair of his cherry eye. He’s now ready to find his forever family. According to his foster, Paolo is a super duper sweet boy, 90% house trained and a big cuddle bug. He is shy at first but warms up very quickly. He is good with other dogs.

https://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2023-d-071-paolo/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah Nocturnal is a series of oil paintings on panel by Bernard Nolan that depict Savannah after dark from the artist’s evening strolls. With narrative interpretations of recognizable streetscapes around Savannah, each piece offers a glimpse into an interior world. The show opens Friday, May 19, from 6-8 p.m. at 251 Bull St, in the Location Gallery at Corcoran Austin Hill Realty, and runs through June 12 in the Main Gallery. As part of Preservation Month, gallery profits from the run of show are donated to Historic Savannah Foundation. Contact Peter E. Roberts, Gallery Director at 912-604-6250.

(ENMARKET) All summer long, enter to win daily, weekly and overall product prizes including cents off fuel discounts, $25 cash cards, free fuel for a year, and a grand prize of $25,000. Earn a digital game ticket every time you make a qualifying purchase using Enjoy Rewards at Enmarket. Plus, earn bonus game tickets when you purchase specially marked items in store. Learn more at enmarketenjoywinning.com.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=264073495964632&set=a.256887753349873

(SAVANNAH, GA) This summer SHE HUSTLES is set to take place from 5:30 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 at The Clyde Venue in Savannah. The Creative Coast will co-host its women’s leadership and entrepreneurial conference with Savannah SCORE and has also announced a partnership with the Startup Runway Foundation for the upcoming event. Startup Runway will bring a pitch competition for existing businesses led by women and founders of color to SHE HUSTLES. Startup Runway is now accepting applications for the pitch portion of the event through June 5. Those interested in applying should visit https://startuprunway.org/apply-for-startup-runway-today/. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.thecreativecoast.org/shehustles.

(WSAV) After a school year darkened by a traumatic shooting hoax, Savannah High School students worked with Resilient Coastal Georgia to put on Friday’s event “Love on the High Day.” It’s designed to help students go into summer on a high note. At the time of the lockdown, parents, students and teachers were experiencing very real fear in what they thought was an active shooter situation.

https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/savannah-high-school-students-healing-after-traumatic-shooting-hoax/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Rotary Club of Savannah is hosting its spring “Party With a Purpose” event to benefit Hospice Savannah. Join us for an evening of fun, delicious bites, drinks, and good company – all while supporting a great cause from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 at The 5 Spot Sandfly, 7360 Skidaway Road, #Unit E-1, Savannah, GA 31406.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/party-with-a-purpose-rotarygas-light-giveback-supporting-hospice-savannah-tickets-621767040957

(WSAV) — Charles Bowen, entertainment lawyer and founder of the Savannah Film Alliance says in 2019, Savannah brought in $266 million in film revenue, and in 2022, that number had grown to $440 million. On Wednesday, Bowen along with several small business leaders attended an event called “The State of Small Business in Chatham County.” Industry experts had the opportunity to highlight their business success over the course of 2022. Bowen says the entertainment industry in Savannah is growing at a rapid pace with many productions set to film in the coming months. He says although the writer’s strike has put a pause on many tv shows and movies, he doesn’t expect it to significantly affect revenue in the hostess city.

https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/savannah-film-industry-sees-record-breaking-numbers-in-revenue/

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Are you looking for a strategy to attract your ideal audience with YouTube? Do you want more quality leads? Discover a YouTube content strategy for businesses.

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) Our community feedback sessions of the Food Policy Council have taken place in Garden City, Georgetown, and we will have another one soon in Thunderbolt. The date and location will be announced in the upcoming days. Come join us and share your thoughts so we can better understand the needs of your community around food. #foodpolicycouncil #savannahga #healthysavannah #nutritionmatters

https://www.facebook.com/healthysav/posts/pfbid0sqhsUx3tKTfM72F999pSCSGiH4qh5YzqbYmDRqumwXmgnHS4zCBDpZJ9AunrRhSsl

(COASTAL HEALTH DISTRICT) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to allow for an additional bivalent booster dose for people at highest risk of severe illness. Previously, individuals could only receive one of the updated booster shots. The additional bivalent booster dose has been authorized for Adults ages 65 years and older and people who are immunocompromised. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, go to www.chdcovidvax.org or call your county health department. Individuals may also call with questions regarding eligibility for another COVID-19 booster shot.

https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/cdc-updates-covid-19-vaccine-booster-recommendations/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Loop It Up Savannah is currently looking for new staff members to join its summer camp team during the month of June. These positions pay $15/hour and are open to ages 16 and older. Experience working with children in a summer camp or school setting is preferred but not required. All applicants must be willing to complete a background check and drug test. Apply today.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoPrWHSWwxs_kvAe_9BCIP_O_h1t4agNGTXG-TY-ei5Ua-9Q/viewform

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Creative Coast has opened registration for Girls Code Summer Camp, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, July 10 to 14 at the Georgia Southern University Armstrong campus in Savannah. In its second year, camp is 100% free for 5th to 8th-grade girls enrolled within the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. The theme of this summer’s camp is centered around aerospace and will include a field trip to Fly Corps Aviation. Lunch and snacks will be provided each day via the campus dining hall with a celebratory showcase to end camp on July 14. Spots are limited and camp fills up quickly so those interested are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. In order to sign your child up for camp, please complete all required forms found at https://thecreativecoast.org/programs/girlscode/summer-camp/.

(SAVANNAH, GA) On Friday, Nov 17, 2023, the Savannah Film Alliance Honors Gala Presented by I.A.T.S.E. Local 491 will be held at Victory North. In a night filled with Hollywood glamour and live entertainment, the Savannah Film Alliance (SFA) will honor eight outstanding local professionals from Savannah’s thriving film and television community.

https://savannahfilmalliance.org/

(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.

(SAVANNAH, GA) This year, HSF is encouraging everyone to visit historic sites around Savannah that they may have never been to before through a Historic Sites Bingo game. Check their social media on May 10th when they will post the game boards. https://www.myhsf.org/events/preservation-month/

(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/