COMMUNITY HEADLINES – SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union will host a ribbon cutting at its new Savannah-area flagship financial center on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The new comprehensive financial services center will become Center Parc Credit Union’s first stand-alone facility in the Savannah area, as its two existing branches in the area are located inside large retail stores. Center Parc Credit Union officials, members, invited guests and the community will gather for the Grand Opening at 11 a.m. at 5698-A Ogeechee Road, an outparcel of the Berwick Marketplace, to cut the ribbon on the completed structure.

https://carriagetradepr.com/center-parc-credit-union-to-cut-ribbon-at-grand-opening-on-new-flagship-center-on-ogeechee-road/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Seimitsu presents a free online workshop on how to protect your business from a security breach. The workshop is on ZOOM, Oct 6 at noon. Cyber attacks occur every 39 seconds, learn how to protect your business. This is sponsored by the City of Savannah’s Entrepreneurial Center and SCORE. RSVP with the link below.

https://www.savannahga.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=5516&month=10&year=2022&day=6&calType=0

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) Colonial Group Inc. has announced that Alexandra (Alex) McCants has been named as the new vice president of Human Resources for the Savannah-based group of companies. McCants was previously with Emerson Commercial and Residential services. She is the first person to serve in the role of vice president of Human Resources for Colonial Group.

https://colonialgroupinc.com/colonial-group-inc-welcomes-alexandra-mccants-as-new-vice-president-of-human-resources/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah is pleased to announce that Ashley Rainge-Shields, director of Fund Development and Communications, has been named as a facilitator for Step Up Savannah’s 14th annual Neighborhood Leadership Academy. The online training sessions began on September 12 and continue through November 28. Rainge-Shields will also help facilitate an online public forum on November 14. For more information visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QF3jh1cQQgW_3v2O4uH3bg.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannahs-ashley-rainge-shields-joins-step-up-savannahs-neighborhood-leadership-academy-as-facilitator/

(LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY) The 17TH Annual Buddy Walk (#BWSAV2022) is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 1, in Forsyth Park, starting at 10:00 a.m. Participants will walk a mile around Forsyth Park. Registration is $15. The money raised at the Buddy Walk goes toward Camp Buddy, two summer camps in Effingham and Chatham to help students retain their skills over the summer break. It also goes towards new parent packets and educational opportunities for local families and advocates. Please sign up here: https://www.classy.org/event/lowcountry-down-syndrome-society-2022-live-in-forsyth-park/e421222

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah is providing $7000 in grant funding to support six Back-to-School and other community events planned by faith community partners. Funds were granted to applicable projects that include COVID-19 and flu awareness activities and vaccine clinics. Upcoming events include “Reaching Others For Health and Hope” on September 17 from 11:00 am -3:00 pm at Faith Deliverance Church; and “Community Awareness Day,” on September 17 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm at First Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannah-announces-funding-for-faith-based-back-to-school-events/

(COASTAL HEALTH DISTRICT) Stronger protection against COVID-19 is available in the Coastal Health District as all 8 county health departments now offer updated booster shots. These reformulated booster vaccines target the original strain of the COVID-19 virus plus the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Appointments for COVID-19 vaccination, including bivalent boosters, can be scheduled online at chdcovidvax.org or by calling your local county health department. https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/bivalent-booster-shots-now-available-in-the-coastal-health-district/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. For the past nine years, Enmarket has joined forces with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the fight to end cancer through in-store fundraisers. September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of local patients and survivors throughout our communities, Enmarket is once again raising money in all 129 Enmarket locations.

www.enmarket.com

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) In this video, Facebook marketing expert Dana Malstaff breaks down the biggest mistakes group admins make, why they stifle engagement, and what to post instead. Discover what to remove from your content calendar right now, and learn how to get better results from the posts you share starting today.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah SCORE is now accepting applications from aspiring local entrepreneurs who want to become contestants in Savannah SCORE’s “BizPitch Savannah™ 2022” Entrepreneurial Competition. A kinder, gentler version of TV’s “Shark Tank”, “BizPitch Savannah™”, now in its fifth year, offers aspiring local entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to win cash and free professional business services valued at more than $10,000. The online application is available at http://bizpitchsavannah.com. The Rules and Requirements for the competition are currently available on the website. The deadline for submitting applications is midnight, Monday, October 3.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s September Support Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 15. The meeting will be held in person at Marchese Construction’s Banquet Room at 1525 Dean Forest Rd. Savannah, GA 31408 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be a live feed that runs during the meeting and viewers can connect through Facebook. For more info visit: https://ldssga.org

(SAVANNAHGA.GOV) This is an online class you don’t want to miss! In this series, business consultant & mentor, Zenetria Ward of ZenWard Solutions, helps you gain an overall understanding of how to market your products and services to your customers in today’s economy. You’ll learn the 7-Step Marketing Process, how to conduct marketing research, pricing, social media, promotional marketing, and much more! The class meets every other Tuesday at 6:30 pm EST. The fall session is ongoing through 1/3/23. Take one class or take them all. Registration required.

https://savannahga.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0scuuvqDkjGNxp06w4jD-YwW0GzsgnkCmk

(HILLROBINSON.COM) A dedicated service facility for superyachts, Savannah Yacht Center has become one of the leading refit shipyards on the US east coast since it welcomed its first superyacht client in 2019.

https://hillrobinson.com/news/2022/refit-and-repair-in-the-us?fbclid=IwAR2rpLOIyp7LwxpTDht_wz3JOzCUe1B1crbRYTKNENMe1HMUD3BfbJzpd5I

(SAVANNAH, GA) YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s Laura Schmarkey is being honored as an Anti-Hunger All Star for her work on the Fresh Express food distribution program. Fresh Express provides free fruit, vegetables and bread to “food desert” neighborhoods, or neighborhoods with low access. This program is supported by the five-year, $3.4 million grant called Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, jointly administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. According to a 2020 study from Feeding America, 17.1% of Chatham County residents are considered food insecure, and 21.8% of children in Chatham County are food insecure. Since its 2016 inception, Fresh Express has put more than 40,000 pounds of fresh, healthy food into the community, and expanded to its third location in June. The program has also recently been recognized in the media, and Laura’s “fun fruit Friday” reel from last month about rambutans has become the Y’s most-viewed video ever, with more than 36,000 views. https://ymcaofcoastalga.org/freshexpress

(SAVANNAH MAGAZINE) To some, ice hockey in a warm southern city like Savannah may seem unexpected. Then again, the Savannah Hockey Classic — a collegiate ice hockey tournament dating back to 1999 — typically has held its popular games at the Savannah Civic Center every January. And considering the city’s location between two other non-traditional cities that already have teams — Charlotte and Jacksonville — Savannah is an ideal place for burgeoning hockey fans. So, since the shovel hit the dirt on the Oak View Group’s development of the Enmarket Arena, the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) has been working to bring mid-level professional action to the rink beyond the annual collegiate games (now known as the Enmarket Savannah Hockey Classic).

https://www.savannahmagazine.com/savannah-ghost-pirates/

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) If you are looking for a sweet senior to love, then Papi could be the dog for you. She absolutely loves people and kids, going on walks, chasing squirrels and large bugs, riding in the car with the windows down, and getting lots of your attention with belly rubs. Given her hound makeup, a fenced yard would be best for her as she loves to explore every inch of her environment. Papi loves her canine resident siblings and going on walks with them but has not been cat tested yet. She is housebroken and knows how to use a doggie door, and has also wormed her way onto her foster mom’s bed at night. She has a lot of love to give, so if you want a steadfast companion that will give you her undivided love and attention, then don’t wait to submit an application to meet her before someone else does.

https://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2022-d-138-papi/

(SAVANNAH, GA) This black carpet affair is sure to be another huge success, reflecting a mission to collectively highlight the best our community has to offer, empowering a diverse culture of African American professionals, entrepreneurs, and the community at large in the Savannah Metro area. The Gala has consistently sold out and you don’t want to miss it, so register early. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets can be purchased at www.gsbcc.org under Events.

(GARDEN CITY, GA) S2S Facts is gearing up for its 3rd annual Drive Through Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, October 29 at the Garden City Recreation Gym Lot. Email s2sbtg@gmail.com for more information or call 912-201-1946 on how to participate.

(GUYTON, GA) Faith Equestrian announces its Boots and BBQ fundraiser on October 15 at 5:30 p.m. featuring live music from the bluegrass sensation Headin’ Home. Tickets are available here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-boots-bbq-tickets-388722588727?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

(COASTAL HEALTH DISTRICT) With the addition of a new kiosk at Georgia Southern University in Savannah, there are now four locations for free COVID-19 PCR testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Coastal Health District. A state-wide map of kiosk locations and a short video about using the kiosks can be found at https://dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting.

https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/additional-covid-pcr-test-and-go-kiosk-available-in-the-coastal-health-district/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Bull Street Library has been selected as a participating site for the Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and StoryCorps One Small Step project, a nationwide initiative to help bridge political divides and strengthen communities, one conversation at a time. One Small Step invites Georgians to meet someone new, a fellow community member with different views, to have an hour-long facilitated conversation.

https://www.gpb.org/storycorps/one-small-step

(SAVANNAH, GA) September 25 will be the inaugural Savannah Day of Peace, hosted by the Mediation Center at Daffin Park from 12 PM to 4 PM. The event is designed to build peace, resilience, and unity within the community through peacebuilding activities, conversations, and A parade. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more about Savannah Day of Peace at https://www.facebook.com/events/447021030293445.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Deep Center, in partnership with Black Voters Matter, A. Phillip Randolph Institute, and League of Women Voters, presents Voting is Deep, a voting series in honor of National Voter Registration month. The power of one’s vote is now more important than ever, and to get people ready for the 2022 midterms, Deep will be offering multiple get-out-the-vote events. For more information, visit the event page at https://www.facebook.com/deepcenter912/events or contact event organizer, Martina Yvette at martina@deepcenter.org.

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) In this video, learn how to expand your reach with your Instagram and TikTok posts: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zCQsF5ZmskI

(SAVANNAH, GA) – The Savannah Philharmonic (SavPhil) has announced the appointment of Jamie Coffey as the new director of external relations. She brings with her an extensive resume of work in nonprofit development and, before that, in higher education administration.

https://carriagetradepr.com/savannah-philharmonic-names-jamie-coffey-director-of-external-relations/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Regina Pointer has been named the new marketing growth specialist for Center Parc Credit Union’s Savannah metro area, which includes Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties. In that role, she will support marketing and sales enablement efforts.

https://carriagetradepr.com/regina-pointer-named-marketing-growth-specialist-for-center-parc-credit-union-in-savannah/

(ENMARKET) In April, Enmarket had to close its location on Hwy 301 in Statesboro Ga. due to severe weather damage. Thanks to the help of the community, business partners, and team members Enmarket is happy to announce that the Statesboro store is officially reopened for business.

https://www.facebook.com/enmarketstations/photos/a.111691549015/10159080267554016/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Visit Live Oak Public Libraries during Library Card Sign-Up Month in September. Your free library card offers more than books – it is a passport to explore your world! Enjoy free passes to State Parks and museums, learn a new language, or research your roots. Visit your local library or go online to liveoakpl.org.

(SAVANNAH, GA) SHE HUSTLES is a Creative Coast tri-annual event, where Savannah’s women entrepreneurs and leaders connect, learn, and inspire. The event features an inspirational keynote speaker and panel discussion made up of Savannah women who are paving the way in their industries. The Creative Coast is excited to announce its partnership with SCORE Savannah for the final SHE HUSTLES of 2022, which is set to take place on Wednesday, September 28, at the Coastal Georgia Center (305 Fahm St) and the Clyde Venue (223 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd). Seating is limited so please purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.thecreativecoast.org/programs/shehustles/.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah has expanded the Fresh Express no-cost fresh food distribution program to a third site and its own day! The third site is at 40th and Waters and upcoming dates are: October 7, November 4, December 2. The main locations are at Curtis V. Cooper Family Health and the Moses Jackson Center, with these upcoming dates: September 16, October 21, November 18, December 16. Fresh Express provided more than 6,600 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables and bread to communities with low access to fresh foods in 2021. Interested in volunteering? Contact Laura Schmarkey, YMCA of Coastal Georgia director of outreach programs at laura.schmarkey@ymcaofcoastalga.org or visit YMCAofCoastalGA.org/Volunteer. Fresh Express is supported by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant awarded through the CDC.