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Comcast Foundation Grants Over $100,000 To California State PTA In Support Of Digital Literacy Curriculum For Parents – MarketWatch Comcast Foundation Grants Over $100,000 To California State PTA In Support Of Digital Literacy Curriculum For Parents

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The Comcast Foundation today announced a grant of more than $100,000 for the California State PTA. The two year grant will be used to develop digital literacy curriculum and sessions for the organization’s School Smarts Parent Engagement Program.

The program currently offers a seven session parent academy that educates parents on topics that include: understanding the education system, communicating effectively, advocating for a quality education, and the importance of parent involvement. Closing the digital divide is a top priority for Comcast and we are excited to partner with the California State PTA to bring this new curriculum to parents,” said Hank Fore, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s California Region.

Including this most recent grant, Comcast NBCUniversal has donated more than $38,900,000 in California to organizations and programs dedicated to closing the digital divide, youth development and volunteerism. Last year, Comcast supported the Greater Sacramento Urban League with a grant that empowers youth through the Digital Connectors program with digital multimedia skills to support them in their education and career.
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations.
As nearly 1 million Californians supporting 9 million California children as part of a century-long, nationwide, grassroots movement, California State PTA is a professional, non-profit volunteer organization committed to the well-being of all children and families.

— Nearly 30 agencies who serve children in need got some much needed financial help.

The Poshard Foundation handed out $67,000 in grants to local agencies Thursday afternoon. All the money came from last October’s Poshard Foundation Brunch, and will help serve abused and neglected children across Southern Illinois.

With state budget cuts hurting local agencies, those getting the money say it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“With these funds, these children that maybe would not be able to join sports clubs, cheerleading, gymnastics, maybe not be able to go to camp because they live an underprivileged life, this is what this means to these children, that they’ll actually going to be able to participate in these activities,” said Sherri Crabb of Family Counseling Center.

“Whenever they get access to things that they don’t normally have access to, it kind of lifts their spirits up and makes them feel normal,” said Kent McDermott of the United Methodist Children’s Home.

For more than six decades, Mount Holly has taken time to say thanks to the men and women who make the city what it is.
The Mount Holly Community Development Foundation continued that tradition Thursday by recognizing the city’s 2015 Man and Woman of the Year, along with the Volunteer, Entrepreneur, Business and Service Organization of the Year.
The ceremony is a nod to individual achievement, leadership, service and innovation and recognizes the everyday efforts that make Mount Holly a great place to live.
“If you’ll look around, you’ll see so many past men and women of the year,” Mayor Brian Hough said. “They give selflessly of themselves everyday, not just the year they win an award, and that’s what helps make Mount Holly the place we love to live.”

Man of the Year: Mount Holly’s 2015 Man of the Year, Myles Biggerstaff, focuses on getting the small things in life right.
“Tonight, we honor this year a husband, father and grandfather who is devoted to family, friends and community,” said Max Pendleton, Mount Holly’s 2014 Man of the Year. It opened on South Main in 1938.
With the help of a local contractor, Williams and company were able to refinish the interior, and uncover the original hardwood floors, as well as the original tin ceiling.
Since moving to Main Street last year, in a space next to one once owned by his grandfather, Williams said his business has tripled in sales.

Community Service Organization of the Year: Since it was founded by two sixth-graders more than 40 years ago, the Ida Rankin Safety Patrol has taught its members the value of service to others. The program was recognized Thursday as Mount Holly’s Community Service Organization of the Year.
“There are so many things the safety patrol does in the community to serve us, and they do it at such a great age,” Hough said. Students must also design and implement their own service projects in their communities.

Volunteer of the Year: Drew Foster, a longtime member of Mount Holly Community Foundation, was named the city’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year.
Foster, along with his wife, Wendy, and two children, moved to Mount Holly in 1994. He’s always up for running errands for the group’s executive director and helps schedule monthly board meetings and events.
“He is always available when we need assistance and is happy to lend a helping hand,” said Lauren Shoemaker, the chairman of the Mount Holly Community Foundation.

Foundation Award for Business of the Year: American & Efird has long been a fixture of the Mount Holly business community. The company was recognized Thursday as the city’s Business of the Year.
A leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial and consumer sewing and embroidery thread, American & Efird makes products used by companies that produce apparel, auto parts, home furnishings, medical supplies and footwear.
The company employs nearly 1,200 in Gaston County, roughly half of whom are located at the company’s Mount Holly plant.
Last year, A&E purchased Gutermann, a European manufacturer and distributor of consumer and industrial sewing thread products. The Mount Holly Community Development Foundation continued that tradition Thursday by recognizing the city’s 2015 Man and Woman of the Year, along with the Volunteer, Entrepreneur, Business and Service Organization of the Year.
“They give selflessly of themselves everyday, not just the year they win an award, and that’s what helps make Mount Holly the place we love to live.”

Man of the Year: Mount Holly’s 2015 Man of the Year, Myles Biggerstaff, focuses on getting the small things in life right.
Students must also design and implement their own service projects in their communities.

Volunteer of the Year: Drew Foster, a longtime member of Mount Holly Community Foundation, was named the city’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year.
“He is always available when we need assistance and is happy to lend a helping hand,” said Lauren Shoemaker, the chairman of the Mount Holly Community Foundation.

Foundation Award for Business of the Year: American & Efird has long been a fixture of the Mount Holly business community.

With Louisville, Kentucky-based rock band, My Morning Jacket’s newest album The Waterfall, releasing on May 4th, it seems fitting that the band announce another effort, through philanthropic means; The Waterfall Project. The announcement was made on April 29, per Girlie Action Media.

To promote their project, the band released a new video through Sonos, which is the creator of the world’s leading hi-fi system. Since 2007, the band and its members have raised nearly $300,000 for close to 100 non-profits that focus on music education, environment, disaster response, health care, and more.

My Morning Jacket Tour Dates

May 15 at Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA
May 16 at Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN
May 17 at Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, AL
May 23 at Boston Calling Festival in Boston, MA
June 3 at State Theatre in Cleveland, OH w/ Floating Action
June 4 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA w/ Floating Action
June 5 at Governors Ball Music Festival in New York, NY
June 7 at Field Trip Festival in Toronto, ON
June 9 at Chicago Theatre in Chicago, IL w/ Hiss Golden Messenger
June 10 at Chicago Theatre in Chicago, IL w/ Hiss Golden Messenger
June 11 at Chicago Theatre in Chicago, IL w/ Hiss Golden Messenger
June 12-14 at Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN
June 16 at The Fillmore in Detroit, MI w/ Hiss Golden Messenger
June 17 at The Fillmore in Detroit, MI w/ Hiss Golden Messenger
June 19 at Gentlemen of the Road Stopover in Waverly, IA
June 20 at Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, WI w/ Floating Action
June 21 at Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, WI w/Floating Action
June 23 at Palace Theatre in Columbus, OH w/ Floating Action
June 24 at Palace Theatre in Columbus, OH w/ Floating Action
June 26 at Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis, MN w/ Hippo Campus
June 27 at Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis, MN w/ Lizzo
July 17-19 at Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY
July 21 at nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville, VA w/ Lizzo
July 22 at Artpark Series in Lewiston, NY w/ Lizzo
July 25 at Xponential Music Festival in Camden, NJ w/ St. Vincent
July 26 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD w/ Jason Isbell
July 28 at Red Hat Amphitheatre in Raleigh, NC w/ Lucius
July 29 at Uptown Amphitheatre in Charlotte, NC w/ Lucius
July 31 at Champions Square in New Orleans, LA w/ Lucius
August 1 at Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, FL w/ Mini Mansions
August 3 at The Fillmore in Miami, FL w/ Mini Mansions
August 4 at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL w/ Mini Mansions
August 7 at Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA w/ Mini Mansions
August 8 at Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA w/ Mini Mansions
August 10 at BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham, AL w/ Mini Mansions
August 12 at The Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, MO w/ Hippo Campus
August 13 at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO w/ Hippo Campus
August 14 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, CO w/ Sylvan Esso
August 28-30 at Rock en Seine Festival in Paris, FR
September 1 at Rivierenhof Amphitheatre in Antwerp, BEL
September 2 at Gloria in Koln, GER
September 4 at Electric Picnic Festival in Dublin, IRE
September 5 at End of the Road Festival in Larmer Tree Gardens, UK
September 6 at The Ritz in Manchester, UK
September 8 at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, UK
September 10 at Paradiso in Amsterdam, HOL
September 12 at Take Root Festival in Groningen, HOL
September 13 at Lollapalooza in Berlin, GER

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Literacy Volunteers on the Green Receives Grant from Community Foundation

Zoo walk to raise Make-A-Wish fundsZoo walk to raise Make-A-Wish funds After his wish was granted in April 2013, Peter, 15, wanted to give back to the foundation that allowed him to forget about his condition.

aItas really important to me to help raise money for the walk because I want other kids to experience what I did,a said Peter of Northville.

Make-A-Wish will host its 17th annual Walk For Wishes Saturday at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak.

Regions, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Alabama Power to sponsor Birmingham bikeshare | AL.com Regions, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Alabama Power to sponsor Birmingham bikeshare 400 of these green-and-blue bikes will show up along streets of downtown Birmingham, Southside and Lakeview as part of the city’s first public bikesharing program.

Corporate sponsors have been announced for Birmingham’s bikesharing program, which will begin later this year.

Regions Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and the Alabama Power Foundation will provide corporate support for the program, organizers announced Friday morning.

Bikesharing allows participants to check out and return bicycles for short trips, either through an annual membership or with a credit card. as an alternative to vehicular traffic in city centers.

Leroy Abrahams, North Central Alabama area president for Regions Bank, said the project is an exciting example of the kinds of collaboration developing in Birmingham.

“You’re building an environment that attracts people who are interested in getting from one place to another,” Abrahams said.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama contributed to the program because the company “saw bikeshare as a way for individuals to find a healthy choice, and it’s an easy choice,” company Vice President of Corporate Communications Koko Mackin said.

The program also fits with Alabama Power Foundation’s search for energy alternatives, and one that will contribute “youth and vitality to the city,” said Bobbie Knight, vice president of the Birmingham division for Alabama Power.

Birmingham’s bikesharing program was made possible through a $2 million federal grant for congestion mitigation and air quality improvements.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell has been a fervent supporter of the project. The city provided the 20 percent match for the grant.

Assistance also came from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

All of the partners involved show the bikesharing program is a perfect example of public, private and non-profit entities working together said Dave Fleming, CEO for REV Birmingham, which will run the program.

The Birmingham network will feature 400 bikes spread among 40 docking stations across downtown Birmingham, the city’s Southside and Lakeview areas.

Some of the bikes feature “electric-assist” technology, which helps riders pedal on challenging terrain.

These decals are being placed in certain areas in the proposed bikeshare area. Smith | msmith@al.com

Birmingham is regarded as the first public sharing program in the Western Hemisphere to feature the technology, organizers and company officials have said.

Company officials with Bewegen Technologies, Inc., who are providing the equipment for the 400-bike system.

Bewegen is working with Alabama contractors to build the docking kiosks for the Birmingham program, and has pledged to work with Alabama contractors to build kiosks for other programs across the U.S.

The program is scheduled to begin this fall.

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Girls on the Run earn Ironman Foundation scholarships

Girls on the Run participants take turns leading the rest of the group through warm-up exercises during a session Monday, March 15, 2015 at Visit Elementary School in Ivins.(Photo: Jud Burkett / The Spectrum & Daily News)

An after-school running program for girls received a $7,200 grant from the Ironman Foundation this week.

Girls on the Run Southern Utah, a local branch of an international nonprofit that incorporates life lessons and confidence-building team exercises while training girls to run, will be able to expand its program to 30 new girls with the funding, according to a news release.

The organization opened its Southern Utah program this year, with girls from Vista Charter School and Sandstone Elementary School meeting twice each week to train, work through problems and support each other.

Thanks to the grant, the plan is to expand into new schools next year.

aThe support from the Ironman Foundation is incredible,a said Melissa Miller, executive director of Girls on the Run Southern Utah.

A new way to assist the elderly – Rushville Republican: Local News

The Helen and Jim Ewing: to Help the Elderly and Feed the Hungry Fund, created May 27, 2014, is to be used to award funds every year to assist the elderly or the needy.

The Rush County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the first grant application for the Helen and Jim Ewing: to Help the Elderly and Feed the Hungry Fund is now available.

Arts administration, Capital campaigns, Corporate and foundation relations, Donor relations, Executive, Fundraising administration, Program administration and management, Public relations and communications Direct responsibilities include: overall leadership, care and motivation of the Bemis staff, maintaining open communication with all Bemis stakeholders, fiscal management including direct fundraising, setting strategic direction for the center and day-to-day executive decision-making.

With governance from the Bemis Board of Directors, establishes long-term strategic direction for the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Provides inspiring leadership for the Bemis Center staff with an influencing, collaborating management style including transparency (day-to-day oversight and decision-making, staff development, hiring/firing, training, organization design, goal-setting, performance feedback, etc.). The Executive Director directly supervises the Director of Operations, Artistic Director of the Residency Program, Artistic Director of Exhibits and Public Engagement, Residency Manager, Exhibit Manager, Development Manager and Marketing Coordinator. Displays a thorough knowledge and appreciation of different styles of art, artists and their techniques, art history, and in particular contemporary art. Leading candidates will demonstrate imagination, vision, leadership, and a deep-rooted passion for the arts and for furthering a broad engagement between arts and the diverse communities Bemis serves.