COMMUNITY HEADLINES – SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

(BRYAN COUNTY, GA) The Enmarket convenience store chain has donated 10,000 reusable 20-ounce water bottles to returning students in Bryan County’s public school to ensure that all 9,600 students in the county’s eleven schools have water bottles as they return to classes. Enmarket offered to donate the water bottles after officials learned that state guidelines recommend schools turn off water fountains during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://carriagetradepr.com/enmarket-donates-10000-reusable-water-bottles-to-students-in-bryan-county/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society will hold its 15th annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Due to COVID they had to create a virtual Buddy walk this year. They hope you can continue this tradition of walking to help raise awareness and making change. Individual registration is $10. Register here: https://www.classy.org/event/lowcountry-down-syndrome-society-2020-virtual-buddy-walk/e293811.

(SAVANNAH, GA) SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Violence Services is inviting the community to participate in a virtual party featuring the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. Set to premiere Thursday, October 8th at 7:00 p.m., the organizers hope to raise funds needed to serve the growing number of victims of domestic violence in the Chatham County area due to the COVID pandemic. The organization is currently facing a 15 percent reduction of funding from across-the-board cuts in state aid, coupled with the cancellation of its traditional fundraising event. https://carriagetradepr.com/safe-shelter-announces-virtual-fundraiser-with-fabulous-equinox-orchestra-oct-8-at-7pm/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Got an idea for a unique, exciting new product or service? Then consider becoming a BizPitch Savannah™ 2020 entrepreneurial competition contestant. BizPitch Savannah™ offers aspiring local entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and win over $10,000 in cash and free professional services to help launch their new businesses. Online applications are available at http://bizpitchsavannah.com/pre-application/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Chatham County Justice Center and Healthy Savannah are seeking donations of tablets, computers, and gift cards for its back to school giveaway. The center is also seeking assistance with identifying children in the community with the most need. For more information, please contact Sheryl Jones at smjones@chathamcounty.org or Deidre Grim at deidre@healthysavannah.org. https://www.facebook.com/ChathamCountyFJC

(SAVANNAH, GA) Emmaus House will celebrate its 10th Annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser on Sunday, November 1 in Reynolds Square on Abercorn St. in Historic Downtown Savannah. Empty Bowl is the main fundraiser that allows the organization to feed, shower, and launder our community’s homeless population. Organizers are currently seeking sponsors and donors to make this event a huge success. Ticket purchasers will enjoy a take-out soup lunch that will directly benefit the Emmaus House mission of providing vital services to the unsheltered homeless population.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Creative Coast has partnered with Career Karma to help give laptops to community members affected by the pandemic. The goal is to help women, people of color, the disabled, veterans, and/or low-income households work towards building a new skill set that will allow the participating individuals to re-enter the workforce with a strong foundation. The campaign is particularly focused on helping those who do not already own a computer, who do not have a job, or their job has been impacted by the pandemic in some way. https://thecreativecoast.org/goodnews-creative-coast-partners-with-career-karma-to-reskill-america

(WJCL) WJCL is launching a new initiative called Drive for Good to spotlight helping agencies who are assisting so many in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and to highlight ways that you can support them. For the month of September, WJCL’s partner is Healthy Savannah, a nonprofit focused on making “a healthy choice the easy choice.” The organization works to ensure all residents have access to healthy, affordable food, activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations, and a community infrastructure that supports them. Since 2007, Healthy Savannah has created and collaborated with a coalition of 200 organizations to lead policy, systems, and environmental change efforts. https://www.wjcl.com/article/wjcl-s-drive-for-good-how-healthy-savannah-is-helping-the-hostess-city-live-better/33863458

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah-Safe Jazz Festival 2020 will be live-streamed from its fixed venue at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, September 23 – 27. A small live audience with socially-distanced seating will also help ensure efforts to keep members, artists, attendees and production partners safe from COVID-19. https://savannahjazz.org/festival/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The first of four 2020-21 Enmarket Encourage Health in partnership with Healthy Savannah’s Educational Series LIVE broadcasts will kick off Thursday, October 1 with a conversation on “Tips to Reduce Stress and Anxiety During COVID”. The program will be livestreamed at 1:00 p.m. on Healthy Savannah’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/healthysav/)

(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union has named Emily Hopper as the in-store manager for its new Savannah area branches set to open in September. The financial institution has also hired Mary Thomas and Yalanda Henderson as assistant managers. The two new Center Parc Credit Union locations will be located at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in the state of Georgia. https://carriagetradepr.com/center-parc-credit-union-hires-savannah-area-branch-manager-and-assistant-managers/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The auction site is live for Hospice Savannah’s first-ever virtual Summer Nights Party & Auction. The fun, fast-paced virtual event will be held Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. with proceeds supporting the vital Healing Arts of Music & Massage Therapy. Auction items include a fabulous trip to Alaska with a three-year window, personal planning concierge and no black-out dates. Paintings by seven local artists and jewelry from three local jewelers will also be offered. Register to be entered for a $50 gift card: text SN2020 to 22454 or visit SN2020.afrogs.org

(SAVANNAH BUSINESS JOURNAL) Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Services recently hosted a Derby Delivered benefit in partnership with The Olde Pink House and Woodford Reserve which raises $13,000. https://www.savannahbusinessjournal.com/news/nonprofits/sept-15—-park-place-outreach-raises-13k-during-derby-delivered-benefit/article_1042b38e-f69c-11ea-8a11-2f2fc65c2cab.html

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah Technical College’s Professional Continuing Education department, the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce and SCORE have created a series of live, online workshops called Black in Business. This free series will empower Black entrepreneurs and business owners to launch, climb and excel with the series of three online workshops. Sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. Register now.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Did you know that the Hero Database can help you find resources dealing with COVID related assistance? The H.E.R.O (Health Effective Resource Organizations) Database is an online health and social services resource for Savannah-Chatham county residents. It is funded by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded by the Centers for Disease Control’s REACH program to eliminate disparities in health outcomes based on race and income in Savannah and Chatham County.

(COASTALPETRESCUE.ORG) Flower is super sweet, lovable and calm. She enjoys cuddling on the couch and gets along well with other animals. To adopt Flower, please visit http://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2020-d-186-flower/.

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Live video expert Luria Petrucci explains how to create strategic live video content that delivers results.

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