WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
November 25, 2020

Dog Tag Inc. (DTI) announced today a $75,000 matching donation from Craig Newmark Philanthropies. This generous philanthropic investment will multiply the impact of donations made during the month of December and advance Dog Tag’s mission to empower veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers to find renewed purpose and community after serving our nation.

“We’re deeply grateful for Craig’s longtime support of our work,” said Meghan Ogilvie, CEO, Dog Tag Inc. “Veterans, military spouses, and caregivers are facing exacerbated challenges around employment, isolation from their community, and mental health due to COVID-19. Demand for our program has never been greater and the need for our innovative programming will only grow as we continue to come to terms with COVID’s short and long-term impacts. This matching gift will help us leverage the generosity of our community to ensure we can deliver our life-changing program to even more veterans, military spouses, and caregivers in 2021 and beyond.”

“Dog Tag provides veterans, military spouses, and caregivers with education, training, and support so they can find a new sense of purpose, community, and success outside the military,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. “All Americans need to support veterans and military families, and I’m very proud to help people do so by making their money go even further.”

The December Match Campaign kicks off on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – #GivingTuesday. All donations made on #GivingTuesday will be tripled and donations made between December 2 – 31, 2020 will be doubled, up to $75,000. To make a contribution that is eligible for the December Match, click here.

ABOUT DOG TAG INC.

Dog Tag empowers our veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers to find renewed purpose and community through an unexpected combination of a bakery and a classroom. Dog Tag’s innovative approach consists of a five-month fellowship program that combines equal parts classroom, bakery, community, and wellbeing. Dog Tag Fellows earn a certificate of business administration in our classroom space; bring their coursework to life by learning the ins and outs of running a successful business in the bakery; build community with each other; and enhance their wellbeing by committing time to introspection and personal growth. Since 2014, Dog Tag has served 148 veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. To learn more or get involved, please visit http://www.dogtaginc.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DogTagBakery.

ABOUT CRAIG NEWMARK PHILANTHROPIES

Craig Newmark is an internet pioneer, philanthropist, and leading advocate. Most commonly known for founding the online classified ads service Craigslist, Newmark works to support and connect people and drive broad civic engagement. In 2016, he founded Craig Newmark Philanthropies to advance people and grassroots organizations that are “getting stuff done” in areas that include trustworthy journalism and the information ecosystem, voter protection, women in technology, and veterans and military families. At its core, all of Newmark’s philanthropic work helps to strengthen American democracy by supporting the values that the country aspires to – fairness, opportunity, and respect. For more information, please visit: CraigNewmarkPhilanthropies.org. Catch Craig on Twitter at @craignewmark.

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Lizzy Greene

“It was so rewarding to chat with the kids and to teach and learn from them at the same time,” actor Lizzy Greene said. “Both the ones I worked with were so bright, and I truly had such a great time getting to know them.”

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
November 24, 2020

CoachArt, a nonprofit organization that matches volunteers with kids impacted by childhood chronic illness for free arts and athletics coaching, today launched its #TuesdayTalent campaign timed to Giving Tuesday, and will host a virtual fundraiser, the Shine Like the Stars Showcase, featuring highlights of online lessons that CoachArt kids have received from YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, actresses Lizzy Greene and Sasha Pieterse; actors Dylan Sprayberry and Booboo Stewart; NBA player Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers; and magician David Blaine.

“It’s a joy to see people sharing their talents with kids who need a little extra support due to chronic illness,” CoachArt Executive Director Greg Harrell-Edge said. “Even better is to see the children gaining skills and confidence thanks to this generosity.”

The Shine Like the Stars Showcase will happen on Facebook on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 5pm Pacific Time / 8pm Eastern Time. Join the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/3459561177601515 and share your experience on your social channels using the #TuesdayTalent hashtag.

As part of the Shine Like the Stars Showcase, supporters can donate to advance CoachArt’s mission of creating a transformative arts and athletics community for families impacted by childhood chronic illness. Whether it’s $10, $100, or $1000, you can bring smiles to kids facing life’s toughest battles. Please donate at https://my.coachart.org/give/311188/#!/donation/checkout.

“When I got in contact with CoachArt, the entire team was so welcoming and eager to collaborate on how we could make the best experiences for the kids,” actress Lizzy Greene said. “It was so rewarding to chat with the kids and to teach and learn from them at the same time. Both the ones I worked with were so bright, and I truly had such a great time getting to know them.”

CoachArt’s model is to match caring adult volunteers who have a skill with children who want to learn or improve that skill, in groups or one-on-one. Group lessons, or “clubs,” typically meet once a week for about a month. One-on-one lessons involve eight weekly hour-long meetings, after which the volunteer coach and the child can renew for another series of lessons. CoachArt provides the volunteer coaches and the families with any materials the lessons require, so there’s no cost to participants.

CoachArt’s programs have traditionally taken place in person, but due to the pandemic the organization has shifted to “virtual” (online) lessons. Fortunately, this virtual programming makes it easier for CoachArt to achieve its goal of expanding our programs nationwide. In addition to serving families in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, CoachArt now also serves families in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York City, and Portland, Oregon.

To learn more about CoachArt, please visit https://coachart.org. Follow CoachArt on Twitter and Instagram @CoachArtorg and like CoachArt on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/coachart.

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MIAMI (PRWEB)
November 23, 2020

Ergoactives has announced the release of their most recent guide: The Ultimate Traveler Guide for Special Travelers. The guide shares details needed for setting up a well-rounded trip that is both adventurous and safe.

According to Ergoactives, “There are numerous renowned sites from around the world that cater to travelers with disabilities and some have been included in this article. This guide contains everything from what routes to take and what activities to partake at each tourist spot. So, pack up your bags and get ready for a trip around the globe!”

The guide walks through different destinations such as San Diego, London, and Disney World, and how readers with limited mobility can prepare.

To learn more about traveling and preparation, view the article here.

About Ergoactives:

Ergoactives designs and manufactures revolutionary products that reimagine and reshape the industry of personal mobility. Created by Dr. Bernardo Birnbaum, each innovative product is the result of his 30 years’ experience and observation as an orthopedic surgeon. Ergoactives aim to change the lives of those who face mobility challenges through meaningful and well-designed solutions that provide safety, comfort, and encourage activity and confidence.

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)
November 20, 2020

The Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), a leading nonprofit hearing health care center in New York that provides comprehensive services to people of all ages who are hard of hearing, deaf or deafblind, today announced its tips on how to make virtual gatherings hearing-friendly this holiday season. Although the holidays are going to look a lot different this year, with the right technology in place, there is an opportunity to successfully connect with your friends and family. Whether you have hearing loss or want to connect with someone who does, these tips are a must-have this holiday season.

The suggested tips focus on the virtual technology setup, hearing devices, communication strategies, and language access through captioning and sign language interpreters. “Taking the time to integrate these arrangements ahead of time, some of which will lower video fatigue can benefit everyone, not just those with hearing loss,” said Carolyn Ginsburg Stern, Asst. Director, Outreach and Strategic Initiatives for CHC.

• 
  Find a comfortable spot where you have a strong Wi-Fi signal or connect your device directly to your ethernet.
• Use a video conference platform with captions such as Google Meet.
• Enjoy smaller get-togethers, with captioning apps (such as Google Live Transcribe, Google Live Caption, Ava or Otter) or caption or video relay services.
• Use a headset, earbuds, or an external microphone to transmit your voice clearly.
• When possible, use your real-world background. Virtual backgrounds can make the video appear choppy and harder to speech read.
• Assign someone to guide the conversation and make sure all participants are muted. Have the host call on participants who should then unmute themselves before speaking.
• Consider connecting before or after the meal to make it easier to follow the conversation.
• Keep the sessions short or build in listening breaks.
• Sit close to the camera with your face centered in the video.
• Pick a place that allows you to be well-lit (it will help with lip reading and engagement).
• Unmute your mic only when it is your turn to speak.
• Keep your surroundings quiet.
• Be mindful that chatting and cross talk is distracting and interferes with comprehension.
• Slow down the pace, pause in between phrases, and inform the group if the topic changes.
• Share comments, questions, and answers in the Chat box.
• Lastly, Zoom is lifting its 40-minute limit for all meetings on Thanksgiving Day allowing everyone to stay connected, so your family gatherings do not get cut short.

About Center for Hearing and Communication:

Founded in 1910, CHC is a historic pillar of support, offering high-quality, comprehensive services to empower people affected by hearing loss, deafness, or listening challenges. Through a unique blend of comprehensive and clinically outstanding onsite and virtual services, and community outreach programs, CHC impacts the quality of life for 50,000 infants, children, and adults annually. CHC offers the highest caliber of services to individuals and families coping with the challenges of hearing loss, regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at http://www.CHChearing.org.

Press inquiries please contact:

Nancy Nadler

Center for Hearing and Communication

Nnadler@chchearing.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chchearing

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CHChearing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chchearing/?hl=en

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RICHMOND, Virginia (PRWEB)
November 19, 2020

Koontz Bryant Johnson Williams (KBJW), a leading regional civil engineering firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, continues its season of growth by reuniting “The A Team” with the recent addition of two veteran Marketing and Communications specialists.

Aimee Wester, Senior Communications Strategist, and April Matanoski, Senior Marketing Strategist, are the newest additions to the KBJW Business Development Team, led by Chief Strategy Officer Jeff Hudson, who joined KBJW earlier this year. “The A Team” spent more than 13 years together managing marketing and communications campaigns for Richmond Raceway, and have been reunited to lend their unique expertise to the growth and development of the KBJW business.

Wester, a graduate of Radford University, has a track record for delivering results in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, having spent nearly 20 years overseeing communications and public relations in the NASCAR industry. Skilled in storytelling to increase visibility, enhance brand and reputation, and support business results, Wester managed the day-to-day public relations for well-known NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne before stepping into the role of Director of Communications for Richmond Raceway, where she served as the primary spokesperson and liaison between the track, drivers, media, celebrities, and VIPs.

Matanoski, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, is a diligent leader with creative acumen and design talent. Known for her branding creativity, Matanoski spent more than 20 years managing the end-to-end development, launch, and content management of creative projects for Richmond Raceway. She has led multiple rebranding campaigns for the Raceway and partners, developing strategies to ensure the highest level of collaboration and maximum amount of impact.

“The A Team,” led by Hudson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the environmental, geotechnical, and engineering fields, is focused on growing KBJW’s business in all locations, with special attention on the newest offices in Hampton Roads, Virginia and Charleston, West Virginia.

“By creating consistent, compelling messaging through all of our marketing materials and channels, we will be better equipped to serve our project managers,” explained Hudson, Chief Strategy Officer. “’The A Team’ has brought a new, creative vision to Koontz Bryant Johnson Williams. We’re excited for what the future holds.”    

About KBJW

Koontz Bryant Johnson Williams’ team of professional engineers, surveyors, planners, scientists, and project managers in Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, strategically collaborate to ensure the success of our projects and the trust of our clients. The KBJW team brings a diverse cross-section of engineering experience to any project, large or small – all in a collaborative atmosphere. We have the experience and capacity to manage a wide variety of engineering design and construction projects and offer specialized services in a variety of disciplines. We strive to ensure that all projects are completed successfully – on time – within budget – and to our client’s satisfaction. For more information about KBJW, please visit us at http://www.KBJWgroup.com.

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RICHMOND, Va. (PRWEB)
November 12, 2020

Koontz Bryant Johnson Williams (KBJW), a leading regional civil engineering firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is excited to announce the addition of Cameron Palmore, PE, LS, as the firm’s new Director of Housing and Education. A seasoned engineering professional, Palmore has more than 24 years of experience as a land development consultant, known for providing on-time project delivery and permitting, from acquisition through construction.

“We are extremely pleased to add Cameron to the KBJW team,” shared Greg Koontz, President. “His extensive background and experience in all types of housing and education projects including single family residential, townhouses, apartments and higher education, will be a great addition to the firm. In addition to his work experience, it is great to see someone so committed and involved with the education of young engineers in our field through the Land Development and Design Initiative (LDDI) at his alma mater, Virginia Tech.”

A Licensed Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor, Palmore received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1995. He has significant experience with clients throughout the Commonwealth and has worked on a broad range of engineering projects, including redevelopment, athletic fields, new construction, parking lot design and stormwater management. In his new role as the Director of Housing and Education at KBJW, Palmore will focus on growing business by strengthening existing relationships and developing new relationships within the housing and higher education markets.

“I’ve known Greg [Koontz, President] for years and in every conversation, he’s talked about the unique culture of KBJW,” said Palmore. “Lots of companies say they’re family-focused, but at KBJW, they live it. Family truly is a priority, and it shows in the work of the employees and the product that they deliver. I’m excited to be part of such a family-oriented company and look forward to helping grow business, while maintaining that family feel.”

Most recently, Palmore served as the Senior Project Manager for a five-year term contract with the University of Virginia’s Energy and Utilities Department. In that role he oversaw the design and construction of multi-disciplinary projects, with a focus on central utilities. He also managed large capital projects at other state universities. Most notably, he oversaw the design and construction of a steam tunnel replacement at Longwood University in Farmville, VA.

In addition to his work locally, Palmore continues to play an active role with his alma mater, serving as an advisory board member and co-chair of the curriculum and course enhancement committee for the Virginia Tech Land Development Design Initiative.

About KBJW

Koontz Bryant Johnson Williams’ team of professional engineers, surveyors, planners, scientists, and project managers in Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, strategically collaborate to ensure the success of our projects and the trust of our clients. The KBJW team brings a diverse cross-section of engineering experience to any project, large or small – all in a collaborative atmosphere. We have the experience and capacity to manage a wide variety of engineering design and construction projects and offer specialized services in a variety of disciplines. We strive to ensure that all projects are completed successfully – on time – within budget – and to our client’s satisfaction. For more information about KBJW, please visit us at http://www.KBJWgroup.com.

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FRANKLIN, Tenn. (PRWEB)
November 10, 2020

Health Connect America (HCA), a leader in the delivery of mental and behavioral health services, has partnered with Premiere Collectibles, a division of Premiere Book Group, and an online retailer of bestselling autographed books available to the world, to provide jobs to those with special needs.

The state of Tennessee has more than 85 percent unemployment for adults with special needs. HCA is working to tackle this problem by connecting its clients with developmental disabilities to job opportunities through partnerships with employers. Employers such as Premiere Collectibles hire these individuals and HCA provides training and hands-on coaching to ensure that they are proficient in the daily job functions with the goal to become long-term employees.

“I am pleased to support HCA and our combined objective of addressing the need to find meaningful work for young adults with developmental disabilities,” said Duane Ward, CEO of Premiere Collectibles. “Our partnership validates the positive impact these talented workers have on our culture and work environment.”

“The impact of this program will be multiplied as new employers participate,” said Kristi Shain, CEO of HCA. “We are grateful for companies like Premiere Collectibles who have a heart for the community and an interest in supporting a group with significant unemployment and yet have valuable skillsets.”

Businesses who hire adults with disabilities benefit from tax incentives, in addition to the benefits from employing a workforce that is reliable and well-supported.

About Health Connect America

Health Connect America (HCA) provides mental and behavioral health services to children, families, and adults across 56 locations across five states impacting the lives of nearly 10,000 people daily. The organization is honored to be a part of the communities served walking with clients as they embark on a journey to self-improvement and more fulfilling lives. Health Connect America provides services where clients need them – within the community, the home, or in one of the organization’s many locations. Through a vast network of direct care professionals, HCA is readily available to meet the needs of both clients and their families. The services delivered include one-on-one or family counseling, case management, autism services, or medication management for children, adults, and families. These services promote positive personal growth, develop healthy coping skills, preserve and repair relationships and natural support systems. For more information see https://healthconnectamerica.com

About Premiere Collectibles

Founded in 1998, Premiere Collectibles began selling books at speaking engagements for author book signings. After many events, it became obvious that there was significant demand for an online retailer that offered autographed books to customers worldwide. That was the birth of Premiere Collectibles (https://premierecollectibles.com/). Now a division of Premiere Book Group (https://www.premierebookgroup.com/), Premiere Collectibles, based in Franklin, TN, is America’s Largest Autographed Bookstore.

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