The Georgia cities of Cumming and Macon, along with Troup County, are tops in our great state for young people.
/PRNewswire/ -- In a celebration of America's young people and the communities most dedicated to helping local youth graduate from high school, America's Promise Alliance (the Alliance) today announced its 2010 list of 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING. An interactive showcase of the 100 Best and their accomplishments can be found at www.americaspromise.org/100Best.
"The 100 Best Communities for Young People are taking bold and effective steps to help their youth graduate and lead healthy, productive lives," said Alma J. Powell, Chair, America's Promise Alliance. "Each community has proven that they are developing programs and implementing initiatives to provide young people with the essential resources they need to graduate from high school and succeed in college and a 21st century career."
The 100 Best competition is part of the Alliance's Grad Nation campaign, a 10-year initiative to mobilize all Americans to end the dropout crisis. This year, more than 350 communities in all 50 states and Washington, DC, were nominated for the 100 Best competition. The winners come from 37 states and 30 are first-time recipients of the honor. They were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges that included some of the nation's most well-known civic, business and nonprofit leaders such as: William Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs; Fr. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA; Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Larry Naake, executive director, National Association of Counties; Jane Beshear, first lady of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist and youth advocate.
The 2010 winners will be highlighted at a ceremony in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC, with Alma Powell, Alliance President and CEO Marguerite Kondracke, and ING Foundation President Rhonda Mims. Winning communities will be pinpointed on an expansive ceremonial U.S. map.
Twilight star Kellan Lutz will make a special appearance at the event, assisting the Alliance and ING executives in revealing the list of 100 Best Communities and connecting with young people about the importance of staying in school.
"ING is committed to children's education and to the advancement of education initiatives that prepare our young people to graduate and have successful futures," said Mims. "Our support for 100 Best demonstrates our goal of honoring communities that produce real, measurable results for improving the lives of young people."
"100 Best is an essential building block of Grad Nation, an inspiring national movement that seeks to ensure every young person graduates," said Kondracke. "These winning communities are helping to build a generation of assertive, successful and dynamic young people that are the future of this country. Our ultimate hope is that 100 Best will inspire all communities across America to make a commitment to children, keep them in school and help them overcome the challenges that could otherwise determine their future."
First held in 2005, the 100 Best competition is open to all communities that make children and youth a priority, including small towns, large cities, counties and school districts. In addition to enhancing local educational opportunities, most winning communities help facilitate greater access to quality health care for young people, encourage youth civic engagement and supply developmental resources that create better places for young people to live and grow.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
America's Promise Alliance and ING Release National List of 100 Best Communities for Young People
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Two Georgia Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two Georgia students, Mackenzie Bearup, 16, of Alpharetta and Andrew Vassil, 14, of Woodstock, were honored in the nation’s capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people – along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country – received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Olympic snowboarding champion Seth Wescott at the 15th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
“The only way I could get my mind off the pain was to escape into a great book”
Mackenzie and Andrew were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Georgia last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week’s recognition events.
“The Prudential Spirit of Community honorees give us great hope for the future,” said Dr. Rice. “Their compassion and commitment are already making a real difference in so many lives, and I have no doubt that their leadership will continue to positively impact the world for many years to come.”
Mackenzie, a home-schooled eleventh-grader, has collected more than 30,000 children’s books over the past three years to establish libraries or reading rooms for 27 homeless shelters in four states. Mackenzie was diagnosed with a painful neurological condition several years ago and spent many months in bed. “The only way I could get my mind off the pain was to escape into a great book,” she explained. When her doctor told her about a homeless shelter in need of a children’s library, Mackenzie decided to help. “I thought about how reading helped me get my mind off my pain and hoped it would do the same for these children.”
Mackenzie gathered books she no longer needed and asked friends and neighbors if they had books to donate. Then she dropped fliers in mailboxes throughout her subdivision, and began distributing them at garage sales. When a local newspaper published a story on Mackenzie’s efforts, donations began to pour in. With help from her family, Mackenzie sorted, boxed, and delivered 10,000 books to the shelter. Soon other shelters learned of her work and asked her to help them as well. Now, Mackenzie goes to garage sales every Friday and Saturday to look for donations, contacts homeless shelters to ask if they need books, and uses pet- and babysitting earnings to help pay for expenses. To date, she has donated more than 30,000 books to homeless shelters in Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri, and recently set up a nonprofit organization, Sheltering Books Inc., to expand nationwide. “I have learned that, in spite of my pain, I can feel better by helping others,” said Mackenzie.
Andrew, an eighth-grader at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell, has been raising money and giving speeches for the past six years to support childhood cancer research and patient care, in appreciation for the treatment he received at age 6 for an inoperable brain tumor. “The hospital I went to, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, saved my life,” said Andrew. “I feel I owe something to St. Jude.” He shares his story on behalf of the hospital at golf tournaments, schools, country club dinners, auctions, radio station “phone-a-thons,” corporate events, major galas, and in television commercials. He also participates in the annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon on a team formed in his honor, which has raised more than $100,000 over the last three years.
Two years ago, Andrew expanded his fund-raising activities to benefit the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research as well. He spends hours writing and rehearsing speeches, tailoring his remarks to the ages and backgrounds of his audiences. With as many as five events per month, Andrew has spoken directly to thousands of people about the importance of cancer research. In addition, he spends time supporting and comforting other kids who have been diagnosed with cancer. “I know so many people who have been through the horrors of childhood cancer,” said Andrew. “I want to help find cures so other kids don’t have to experience what I did.”
“Mackenzie and Andrew are wonderful examples of young Americans who care about the world around them and have taken the initiative to improve that world,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. “We salute their effort, their achievements, and their spirit of community.”
More than 21,000 young people submitted applications for the 2010 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute’s HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February and flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.
Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 15 years ago by Prudential Financial to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.
“The young women and men in America’s schools are nothing short of amazing, and nowhere is this more evident than amongst this year’s award recipients,” said NASSP President Steven Pophal. “They possess a keen intellect, servant hearts, capable leadership skills, and are filled with energy and ambition. NASSP and Prudential are honored to recognize them.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.
More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/spirit.
In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP’s mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society®, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society™, and National Association of Student Councils® are all NASSP programs. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Va., visit www.principals.org or call 703-860-0200.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Eight Cities Honored with NLC Awards for Municipal Excellence
Kudos to Georgia's own Savannah!
/PRNewswire/ -- Eight cities will receive the National League of Cities' (NLC) 2009 Awards for Municipal Excellence. These cities demonstrate outstanding programs that enrich the quality of life in their communities in the areas of economic development, community and neighborhood development, children and families, homeownership, water treatment and sustainability.
An awards ceremony and luncheon will be held Friday at NLC's Congress of Cities & Exposition in San Antonio, Texas, to honor each of these cities and to celebrate 20 years of honoring municipal achievements. The winners are selected by population size.
Gold winners:
-- Slidell, La.
-- Savannah, Ga.
-- Long Beach, Calif.
-- New York City
Silver winners:
-- Estes Park, Colo.
-- Burnsville, Minn.
-- St. Louis, Mo.
-- Seattle, Wash.
"These eight Awards for Municipal Excellence cities have improved the quality of life for their citizens by developing creative solutions to pressing local problems," said Donald J. Borut, NLC executive director. "I congratulate them for establishing model programs that can serve as positive examples for other cities."
Each year, the Awards for Municipal Excellence are given jointly by NLC and CH2M HILL, one of the country's largest engineering, construction and consulting firms.
"For the past 20 years, CH2M HILL has proudly partnered with the National League of Cities to honor CH2M HILL Founder Jim Howland, and to recognize outstanding municipal projects. We congratulate the 2009 winners; you continue a long legacy of strengthening communities through social, economic and environmental leadership," said Lee McIntire, CH2M HILL president and CEO.
Details of the award-winning programs:
-- With Strengthening the Community and the Economy through the Arts,
Slidell, La., has made a commitment to creating a sense of community
and strengthening the economy with cultural events accessible to all
residents, regardless of socioeconomic status. Contact: Kim Bergeron,
Cultural & Public Affairs, 985-646-4375, kbergeron@cityofslidell.org.
-- Recognizing that many of its poorer neighborhoods were in a downward
spiral, Savannah, Ga., developed Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah, a
neighborhood revitalization model which includes the human and
financial capital necessary to revitalize distressed inner-city
neighborhoods. Contact: Margaret Williams, Bureau of Public
Development, 912-651-6529, mwilliams@savannahga.gov.
-- Creating a Youth-Driven Career Center is a reinvention of the Long
Beach, Calif., workforce development agency's youth service
strategies, which provides opportunities to engage youth in the design
and creation of physical spaces, outreach messages, collateral
materials, actual products, key policy-making and critical community
connections. Contact: Cherie Gomez, Pacific Gateway Workforce
Investment Network, 562-570-4715, cherie_gomez@longbeach.gov.
-- New York City's Homebase is a network of 13 neighborhood-based
homelessness prevention centers which provide a combination of case
management services and financial assistance to tailor a solution in
helping families avoid homelessness. Contact: Ellen Howard-Cooper,
Department of Homeless Services, 212-361-7990, ehcooper@dhs.nyc.gov.
-- The Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership in Estes Park, Colo.,
applies the six principles of Restorative Justice (repair of harm,
reconciliation of relationships, reintegration into the community,
responsibility taken for incident, restitution to victims and respect
given and received by all). The program seeks to improve victim
services, reduce arrests and repeat offenders and give community
members a more visible role in the justice process. Contact: Mike
Crabbs, Estes Park Police Department, 970-577-3822, mcrabbs@estes.org.
The Burnsville Surface Water Treatment Plant Project in Burnsville,
Minn., is a public-private partnership between the cities of
Burnsville and Savage, the State of Minnesota and Kraemer Mining and
Materials Inc. (KMM) to collaboratively design, construct and operate
a new surface water treatment plant preserving regional groundwater
resources. Contact: Jeffrey Radick, 952-895-4418,
Jeffrey.Radick@ci.burnsville.mn.us.
-- The St. Louis Alliance for Homeownership Preservation, in St. Louis,
Mo., was formed in response to increased foreclosures in the city and
provides initial homeowner screening, budget preparation, financial
literacy courses, intervention/negotiations with lenders to
restructure/refinance existing mortgages and case management to
homeowners at risk of going into foreclosure. Contact: Barbara
Geisman, 314-622-4792, Geismanb@stlouiscity.com
-- The Green Seattle Partnership is a collaboration between the Seattle,
Wash., Cascade Land Conservancy and residents to restore 2,500 acres
of forested parkland, which are failing as existing trees reach the
end of their natural life and invasive plants have choked out the next
generation of trees. Contact: Tracy Morgenstern, 206-386-4595,
tracy.morgenstern@seattle.gov.
The Awards for Municipal Excellence recognize city programs demonstrating community determination, individual commitment, outstanding collaboration and creativity toward improving the quality of life in local communities.
The Awards have been given since 1989 and are divided into four population categories: cities with populations under 50,000; 50,001 - 150,000; 150,001 - 500,000; and over 500,000. Each category has two winners: Gold and Silver. Gold winners receive awards of $2,000 and silver winners receive $1,000. The awards are donated to community non-profit organizations of the city's choice.
Information regarding the Awards program can be found at www.nlc.org.
The award winners were selected by a panel of judges: Karen Anderson, former president, National League of Cities; Del D. Borgsdorf, Executive Vice President, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; Robin Cooper, Director of Member Services, Kentucky League of Cities; Jim Dailey, former mayor, Little Rock, Ark.; Cynthia McCollum, former president, National League of Cities; Saul Ramirez Jr., Executive Director, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; Jeffrey Soule, Director of Outreach and International Programs, American Planning Association; Dee Vanderhoef, former councilmember, Iowa City, Iowa; and Jennifer S. Vey, Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution.
The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Georgia DHS among ‘best employers for workers over 50’
The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) was recently named among the Best Employers for Workers Over 50 by AARP. The agency demonstrated exemplary practices for recruiting, retaining and promoting older workers.
“We are extremely honored to receive an award which speaks to the core of our agency – our employees,” said B.J. Walker, DHS commissioner. “More than thirty-five percent of our employees are over the age of 50 and have an average tenure of more than 13 years. We take pride in their work ethics and all they have given to this agency and the people we serve.”
According to AARP, DHS has created and fostered a workplace that is supportive of the contributions older workers offer to the business community. DHS uses the Senior Community Service Employment Program to help train and place workers who are 55 years and older. The agency also works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to attract and recruit mature workers.
DHS offers an array of development opportunities for employees, including in-house classroom training, online training and certification classes. Last year, all DHS employees took part in at least one training opportunity, with the average employee receiving 52 hours of instruction. DHS also enables staff to participate in team projects, a formal mentoring program and extensive training.
DHS also incorporates employee opinion surveys into the decision-making process and has made changes, such as greater work flexibility. Full-time employees are eligible for a host of individual and family health and financial benefits, including long-term care and retirement planning. DHS also offers paid time off, unpaid time off and long-term leaves of absence for those employees with caregiving responsibilities.
More than 200 employers applied for the 2009 Best Employers for Workers Over 50 honors, the highest total in the nine-year history of the program designed to highlight exemplary policies toward employees over 50.
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Georgia DHR receives Food Stamp Outreach Award
The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) has received an award for Outreach and Access Excellence by officials from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service for the agency’s efforts to provide Georgians access to the Food Stamp program.
Under a grant from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, Georgia performs outreach to low-income households in conjunction with Action, Inc.; The Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc.; Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation, Inc.; the ACORN Institute, and Women’s Economic Development Agency. Outreach activities include raising awareness of the nutrition benefits of receiving Food Stamps and providing information about eligibility rules and the application process.
Georgia also was recognized for its new online Food Stamp application and social service screening tool, COMPASS (www.compass.gov.). More than 37,000 Georgia residents have used COMPASS to apply for Food Stamps since the system’s statewide rollout in December 2008. The site also allows the public to check eligibility for other DHR programs.
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Friday, May 22, 2009
2009 Chamber Founders Award Honors John Oxendine, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner State of Georgia on May 27
At this year's Eagle Star Awards Gala, the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce will
honor Georgia's Insurance and Safety Fire Comissioner John Oxendine with the Chamber Founders Award at the organization's community flagship event held to honor the people and companies who have made outstanding contributions to the Southeast-Israel business relationship.
For his support and leadership on behalf of the Chamber, John is highly deserving
of this recognition. As the honorary chairman of the US-Israel Telehealth Business
Exchange, he was largely responsible for the enormous success of this matchmaker
event last February that brought innovative Israeli companies to Georgia to meet potential strategic partners and investors.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
6:00-9:00 PM at Georgia Power's headquarters.
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Awards $20 Million Design-Build Contract to SAIC
/PRNewswire / -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE:SAI) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Savannah, Ga., District to design, engineer and construct a cargo aircraft hangar at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Ga. The award has a 21-month period of performance and a contract value of more than $20 million. Work will be performed by SAIC's design-build subsidiary, The Benham Companies LLC and managed out of the Atlantic Regional Office located in Charlotte, NC.
The contract includes the architectural design, engineering and construction of a single story, multi-bay cargo aircraft hangar, including personnel offices and work spaces. The project will incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, utilities infrastructure, fire protection and alarm systems, and Department of Defense force protection/antiterrorism measures.
"We look forward to delivering a state-of-the-art hangar that expands the capacity for aircraft maintenance at Robins AFB," said Mike Gwyn, President of Benham Constructors LLC.
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Grady Health System Awarded Gold from the American Stroke Association
Grady Health System announced earlier this month that it has received the American Stroke Association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM–Stroke (GWTG¬Stroke) Gold Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes Grady’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care for at least 24 months according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. Grady is situated in the heart of the stroke belt – an area in the southeastern United States that sees more strokes and stroke-related deaths than other parts of the country.
“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the GWTG–Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award addresses the important element of time,” said Dr. Michael Frankel, Grady’s Chief of Neurology and the director of the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady. “Grady Health System has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.”
To receive the GWTG-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award, Grady demonstrated 85% adherence in the GWTG–Stroke key measures for 24 or more consecutive months. These include aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol-reducing drugs, and smoking cessation.
“The American Stroke Association commends Grady Health System for its success in implementing standards of care and protocols,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee Member and director of the acute stroke services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients.”
GWTG¬Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Through GWTG–¬Stroke, customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles. The take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format and are available in English and Spanish. In addition, the GWTG Patient Management Tool provides access to up-to-date cardiovascular and stroke science at the point of care.
“The time is right for Grady to be focused on improving the quality of stroke care by implementing GWTG¬Stroke. The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and a large aging population,” said Frankel, also a professor of Neurology at Emory University. According to the American Stroke Association (which is a division of the American Heart Association), each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a stroke — 500,000 are first attacks and 200,000 are recurrent. Of stroke survivors, 21 percent of men and 24 percent of women die within a year, and for those aged 65 and older, the percentage is even higher.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Biotechnology Industry Organization Honors Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Governor of the Year
/PRNewswire/ -- The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced its selection of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as 2009 Governor of the Year in recognition of his leadership and support of the biosciences in Georgia.
"Governor Perdue's support of biotechnology has been vital for our industry's success in Georgia," said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. "He has been a stalwart advocate of the biosciences in Georgia and truly understands the promise of our industry to provide revolutionary therapies and cures for patients, increase agricultural sustainability and develop alternative fuels. In addition, I would like to personally thank the Governor and his team at the Department of Economic Development for being such great partners in helping to plan and organize the upcoming 2009 BIO International Convention."
Among Governor Perdue's programs is the implementation of the first-ever seed capital and facilities funds focused specifically on the life sciences industry. The Georgia Bioscience seed fund has been used to support 16 start-up companies over the past two years. The life sciences facilities fund assists companies with their facility needs including new building and laboratory construction. Governor Perdue has also allocated, on average, $30 million to $40 million a year towards strengthening research in life sciences and other advanced technologies at the state's universities.
"Governor Perdue recognizes that a robust life sciences industry is essential for the state's economic growth," said Charlie Craig, President of GeorgiaBio. "He has put in place policies that will continue to support Georgia's position as a leading home for biotechnology long after he leaves office."
Research confirms biotechnology's strength in Georgia. Released today, the 2009 Shaping Infinity report, produced by GeorgiaBio in association with the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the Terry College of Business, includes the first-ever economic impact study of the life sciences industry in Georgia. The key finding of the study is that Georgia's life sciences companies contribute substantial economic activity to the state: one out of every 68 jobs in Georgia owes its existence to the life sciences industry and university research.
The industry is both a pillar of and a driver of the state's economy, translating into jobs, higher incomes, greater production of goods and services, and higher revenue collections for state and local government. The study reveals that Georgia's life sciences industry and research at the state's universities are responsible for:
-- 62,033 jobs
-- $17.3 billion in annual economic impact.
-- $517 million in tax revenues for state and local governments
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
ING Run For Something Better Receives Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Financial services leader ING today received the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award from the Surgeon General for its ING Run For Something Better (ING RFSB) program. The Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future project focuses on recognizing and showcasing those communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood obesity through prevention. They focus on programs that help kids stay active, encourage healthy eating habits and promote healthy choices. ING RFSB funds running and physical-fitness education programs in schools, offering children a healthy start in life and fostering their desire to exercise before obesity ever begins. "Teaching our children the importance of eating well and being physically active at a young age is crucial to reversing the trend of obesity in this country," said Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. "Everyone has a role to play in this fight to prevent childhood overweight and obesity."
Rear Adm. Galson presented the award during his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative. Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of ING at the champion awards ceremony at the New Schools at Carver School of Health Sciences and Research. New Schools at Carver also received an award for helping local teenagers develop healthy habits through innovative health education and physical-activity programs. "Georgia is to be commended for its efforts in mobilizing communities, schools, government, businesses and committed individuals," added Galson.
"ING is committed to our nation's schools and educators. We also recognize the importance of giving back to the communities where we do business, and that's why we developed the program to help combat childhood obesity and promote kids' fitness," said Mims. "Since 2007, over 3,250 students from Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools and Decatur Middle School have run over 42,500 miles collectively through ING Run For Something Better," added Mims.
As the sponsor of a number of premier running events in the U.S., ING has been encouraging young people to get physically fit while helping Americans be more fiscally fit. Since the program's inception in 2003, ING RFSB's national campaign has funded free, school-based programs in which more than 40,000 children have collectively run over 1.2 million miles.
In 2006, ING also created the Orange Laces program - a public fundraising campaign that encourages everyone to join the cause. When someone donates $10 or more, ING gives them a pair of orange shoelaces to show they are "tied" to kids' fitness. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from Orange Laces donations go directly to ING Run For Something Better fitness programs.
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Friday, January 16, 2009
Coca-Cola Enterprises Launches Largest Hybrid Electric Delivery Trucks in North America
Today Governor Sonny Perdue and EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg joined Coca-Cola Enterprises Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John F. Brock to announce the deployment of the largest hybrid electric delivery trucks in North America.
“I want to commend Coca-Cola Enterprises for receiving this award, and I am proud that this great company relies on Georgia as its home base,” said Governor Perdue. “Their investment in hybrid electric vehicles distinguishes the company amongst its peers and ensures that it remains at the forefront as a true leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability.”
The hybrid electric tractors announced today are the standard bulk delivery truck the company uses for large deliveries. They use about 30 percent less fuel and produce about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard tractors. A motor/generator, working with the transmission and a series of lithium ion batteries, allows the truck to source electrical power instead of gas when traveling at speeds below 30 MPH, reducing emissions and fuel use.
CCE plans to incrementally deploy 185 of the hybrid electric trucks across the United States and Canada in 2009, bringing their total number of hybrid electric delivery trucks to 327, the largest such fleet in North America. The company already has 142 smaller hybrid electric delivery vehicles on the road.
Meiburg, who presented CCE with a leadership award on behalf of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative for the company’s commitment to hybrid vehicles to reduce diesel emissions, added, “EPA is proud to recognize the efforts of Coca-Cola Enterprises to improve air quality and protect public health. Emissions from diesel engines are a serious public health threat and environmental challenge, and reducing these emissions is a priority for EPA.”
“Coca-Cola Enterprises has long been responsive to the needs of our local communities, and the continued expansion of our hybrid-electric fleet here in our hometown of Atlanta and across North America demonstrates our commitment to energy efficiency and climate change,” said Brock. “With the deployment of our newer, larger hybrid delivery vehicles, CCE is continuing to explore ways to help our customers and communities through our corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts. These efforts help us capture operational efficiencies, drive innovation and effectiveness, and eliminate waste while simultaneously protecting the environment.”
Beginning in 2001, CCE began an intensive research and design program with their suppliers to develop, test and produce hybrid electric trucks. The company plans to deploy the large hybrid tractors to: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC. Additionally, the company plans to deploy incremental hybrid 12-bay trucks to Albuquerque, Columbus, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, and Montreal.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
NASA Announces Georgia Aeronautics Research Award
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate has awarded $390,766 to Georgia Institute of Technology of Atlanta for work described in its NASA research announcement proposal entitled "Development of Methodologies for Coupling Ice Accretion Models with Rotary Wing Aeromechanics."
Lakshmi Sankar is the principal investigator.
The award, made by the directorate's Fundamental Aeronautics Program, will foster close collaboration with and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information among researchers at NASA, industry, academia, and other government agencies to benefit the nation's aeronautics community.
The Fundamental Aeronautics Program has the principal objective of overcoming today's national challenges in air transportation. The program develops focused technological capabilities, starting with the most basic knowledge of underlying phenomena through validation and verification of advanced concepts and technologies at the component and systems level.
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Thursday, November 6, 2008
Neville Isdell, Chairman of The Coca-Cola Company, to Receive Ethics Advocate Award from Georgia State
Neville Isdell, chairman of the Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company, will receive the 2008 Ethics Advocate Award from the Center for Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, a unit of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. The award will be presented at the Carter Center on Thursday, November 6.
The Ethics Advocate Award honors an individual who is an effective agent of change in a particular field or in the business community at large. Mr. Isdell was selected for advancing corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability within The Coca-Cola Company as well as for inspiring business leaders around the globe to address their firms' responsibilities.
"Neville Isdell has challenged his company and his corporate peers to engage stakeholders and critics in their firms' initiatives to create healthy, sustainable communities," said Steve Olson, director of the Center for Ethics and Corporate Responsibility. "Whether workforce diversity or human rights; employee and family health or workplace safety; or the sustainable use of water, energy and natural resources, Mr. Isdell has ensured that The Coca-Cola Company is committed to the highest standards of ethics and moral responsibility across its operations."
"It is an honor to accept this recognition on behalf of the men and women of The Coca-Cola Company," Mr. Isdell said. "Our business depends on consumers choosing to invite us into their lives, and we understand that consumers only issue those invitations to companies and brands they trust and respect. This award is indeed an honor, but it is also an affirmation that our work must continue and evolve if we are to stay relevant."
Mr. Isdell is the sixth individual to receive the Ethics Advocate Award. He joins:
Charles Brewer, founder of MindSpring Enterprises and Green Street Properties, for advocacy of values-based management, 2007
The Honorable Shirley Franklin, Mayor, City of Atlanta, for restoring trust in city government through an "ethics first" approach, 2006
Bill Bolling, Executive Director, Atlanta Community Food Bank, for compelling businesses to fulfill their responsibility to hungry and illiterate citizens, 2005
Ray C. Anderson, founder and Chairman, Interface, Inc., for advocacy of environmental sustainability, 2004
The Honorable Robert Benham, Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia, for advocacy of ethics, equality and fairness in judicial reform, 2003
Like his predecessors, Mr. Isdell will be presented with a sculpture consisting of a sphere within a crystal cube, resting on a patina bronze that bears the honoree's name. Malcolm Grear, a world-renowned artist best known to Atlantans for the Quilt of Leaves motif he designed for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, created the sculpture.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Civil Rights Digital Library Wins Award for Archival Excellence
The Civil Rights Digital Library is the 2008 winner of an Award for Excellence in Archival Program Development conferred by the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board. Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel and GHRAB chairperson Ross King presented the award as part of the GHRAB Awards ceremony at the Georgia Archives in Morrow on Oct. 6. The CRDL is a GALILEO initiative based at the University of Georgia.
The Civil Rights Digital Library is an archive of news film and related historical materials from educational institutions across the U.S. According to P. Toby Graham, director of the Digital Library of Georgia, it is the most ambitious and comprehensive initiative to date to provide educational content on the Civil Rights Movement via the Web.
“The University Libraries have been proud to play a leadership role in developing the Civil Rights Digital Library,” said William Gray Potter, university librarian, “and we are pleased that GHRAB shares our enthusiasm for this important initiative.”
The CRDL promotes an enhanced understanding of the movement through its three principal components: a digital video archive delivering 30 hours of historical news film; a civil rights portal providing drawing together holdings from more than 90 libraries and allied organizations across the nation; and instructional materials to facilitate the use of the video content in the learning process.
The Civil Rights Digital Library receives financial support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
The CRDL will continue to grow through its partnerships with allied organizations across the U.S.
The Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board (GHRAB) works to promote preservation, access, and educational use of Georgia’s documentary heritage. Its twelve members are appointed by the governor.
See the Civil Rights Digital Library online at http://www.civilrightslibrary.org.
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Monday, October 20, 2008
The 'BET HIP HOP AWARDS '08' Celebrates the Biggest Names in the Game - on the Mic, in the Community and in the Election
PRNewswire/ -- The BET HIP HOP AWARDS '08 was full of non-stop, mind-blowing performances, talented lyricists and incomparable collaborations, but above all, the night was an empowering tribute to the upcoming presidential election, giving back to the community and the reigning ladies of hip hop. With the ever-present T-Pain serving as the surprise ringleader (with scheduled host Katt Williams unable to attend), the hottest show in hip hop was taped at Atlanta's Civic Center on Saturday, October 18 and will air on BET Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m.*
One of the biggest winners of the BET HIP HOP AWARDS '08 was crowd favorite Lil Wayne, who had been nominated for 12 awards and was named Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year and the Alltel Wireless People's Champ. But the most impressive theme of the night was each and every presenter, performer and winner encouraging the audience to vote and reminding viewers just how historic this moment is.
The show's most unforgettable moment was the ladies of hip hop medley, featuring the reigning queens of the mic -- MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, The Lady of Rage, Salt-n-Pepa and Spinderella. From MC Lyte's "Cha Cha Cha" to Yo-Yo's "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo," the performance was an inspiring reminder of how amazing female MCs are and can be. Salt-n-Pepa brought the house to its feet with a number of songs, including "My Mic Sounds Nice," "Shoop," "Big Girls," "Push It, and "Whatta Man" (which included a photo montage of a certain presidential candidate and his wife!).
The BET HIP HOP AWARDS '08 featured other sizzling performances and collaborations, with ATL native T.I. kicking off the show with "What's Up, What's Happening" and later teaming up with Swizz Beatz for "Swing Your Rag." Nas showed off his lyrical skills with "Queens Get the Money" and "Hero," while Young Jeezy gave a high-energy rendition of "Crazy World." Plies was joined by Ne-Yo for "Who Hotter Than Me" and "Bust It Baby," and Rick Ross treated the crowd to "Here I Am" with Nelly and Avery Storm.
Rocking black-rimmed glasses, N.E.R.D. and Common impressed the crowd with "Numbers," "Universal Mind Control" and "Spazz." T-Pain took a break from his hosting duties to perform "Can't Believe It" with Lil Wayne and "Chopped and Skrewed" with Ludacris. Surprise performer Ice Cube had the audience on its feet for "Why Me" and the classic "It Was a Good Day," and Soulja Boy and Bow Wow closed out the night with "Marco Polo."
Also during the show, LL Cool J presented Russell Simmons with the "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award, which is presented to an individual who, during his or her lifetime, has made notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip hop community. As one of the most influential hip hop moguls in the world, Simmons has inspired countless other artists to give back to their communities and make charity a top priority. Through his efforts with the Hip Hop Summit Action Network and other philanthropic initiatives, Simmons has proven that hip hop can make a huge difference in the world.
A star-studded line-up of the biggest names in hip hop made appearances at the show, including 50 Cent, Kerry Washington, Keri Hilson, Jim Jones, Derek Luke, Lil Cease, Big Boi, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Jamal Woolard and Wu-Tang Clan members GZA, Raekwon, Masta Killa, U-God, Inspectah Deck and RZA. Adding to the hype, rapper Jadakiss pumped up the crowd as celebrity announcer, while the famed DJ Drama played all night. Also during the show, BET unveiled an exclusive trailer for Fox Searchlight's new film NOTORIOUS about the life of late rapper Notorious B.I.G.
BET once again teams up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the BET HIP HOP AWARDS '08 telecast. Stephen G. Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.
The BET HIP HOP AWARDS '08 is sponsored by Nike, MySpace Music, Toyota, Alltel Wireless and Fox Searchlight.
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Georgia Tech Recognized for Green Initiatives
The Georgia Institute of Technology has been named the 2008 “Outstanding College or University Program” by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC). The Institute was one of 10 award recipients recognized at the 27th Annual Congress & Expo September 22, 2008, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event is considered the nation’s premier conference for recycling professionals.
“NRC’s award winners are a diverse group, from small nonprofits to global corporations, that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and have created innovative solutions that benefit society in many ways,” said David Refkin, President, NRC Board of Directors.
Cindy Jackson, manager of Georgia Tech’s Office of Waste Management and Recycling, received the award on behalf of the Institute. Georgia Tech was cited for operating a comprehensive recycling program that provides collection opportunities for a variety of materials including: mixed office paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass, mixed metal, pallets, plastic and tires at established collection sites and regular pick-ups for campus wide recycling. Through recycling and other recovery programs, the Waste Management and Recycling Office was credited with helping to make Georgia Tech a sustainable campus.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Recognized for Excellence in Performance Based Logistics
PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of Defense has recognized Lockheed Martin's (NYSE:LMT) F-22 Raptor as an exemplary program in Performance Based Logistics (PBL), an innovative support approach that provides higher aircraft readiness to warfighters and lower overall costs to taxpayers.
Randy T. Fowler, Assistant Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness, presented the 2008 PBL System Level Award to the F-22 team on Sept. 30 at the Aerospace Industries Association Fall Product Support Conference in Hilton Head, S.C. The PBL awards program recognizes government and industry teams that demonstrate outstanding achievements in PBL development, implementation and execution. This is the third time that a Lockheed Martin program or company has won the annual award.
The F-22 Raptor PBL Team won the System Level Award. Composed of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney, along with the U.S. Air Force, the team was honored for producing the highest readiness rates in the program's history.
"The award is a huge win for the 478th, the air logistics centers, contractors and aeronautical systems center. It's an even more significant and enabling win for our warfighters, providing them with better ability to fly, fight and win," said Thomas Severyn, director of the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The F-22 was designed for supportability and self-sufficiency with a focus on reduced logistics costs. The improved reliability of the F-22 Raptor is projected to save the taxpayer $14 billion, or more than 35 percent in support costs over the life of the aircraft.
"We are honored by this recognition. The government-contractor team is a strong partnership providing rapid maturation of the F-22 support system and exceptional support to the warfighter," said Dennis Haines, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-22 Sustainment.
Using a life-cycle focused strategy, the Air Force and Lockheed Martin team implemented a continuous reliability improvement program, increasing mean time between maintenance by 69 percent fleet wide. The team drove a 15 percent improved mission rate and reduced repair time by 20 percent.
A total of 183 production Raptors are currently on contract. The F-22 is built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney. Parts and subsystems are provided by 1,000 suppliers in 44 states. The F-22 is the only aircraft that blends supercruise speed, super-agility, stealth and sensor fusion into a single air dominance platform.
Raptors are assigned to six U.S. bases: Edwards AFB, Calif., Nellis AFB, Nev., Tyndall AFB, Fla., Langley AFB, Va., Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and Holloman AFB, N.M. Raptors will also be based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.
Previous PBL awards honoring Lockheed Martin activities have included the following:
-- 2005 - Lockheed Martin won the System Level Award as part of the Air Force F-117 Nighthawk total system support partnership team, for innovative contracting measures enhancing war fighter capabilities and cutting costs.
-- 2006 - Lockheed Martin won the System Level Award for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems program, based at the Army's Precision Fires Rocket and Missile Systems Project Management Office at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Dallas.
Lockheed Martin is a major supplier of logistics systems and services to military and civil government customers. The corporation provides solutions for platform maintenance, modifications and repair, material readiness and distribution, and global supply chain command and control.
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Monday, September 15, 2008
ING Awards Over $240,000 to Innovative Educators Across the United States
GFP Note: Congratulations to Kim R. Cummings, Jessica Finch and Angela Wiggins of
Heard County Elementary School, Franklin, GA and David Hedges of Woodland Elementary Charter, Sandy Springs, GA for their superb teaching programs. They are the Georgia 2008 recipients of the awards!
PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Every day, teachers are asked to engage our children in science, math and language arts to cultivate their intellectual readiness to become future presidents, small-town doctors and global business leaders. Previous generations of educators have answered the call by way of traditional instruction. However, today's teachers must be able to demonstrate the real-life practicality and relevance of core curriculum subjects to a generation of new-media and electronic-gadget enthusiasts.
While reading from textbooks, working math problems on the chalkboard and listening to lectures still resonates with most students, innovative ideas that tap into technology and provide further hands-on learning are proving to be much more effective. All across America, teachers are coming up with ingenious ways to engage students, contend for their attention and prepare them for higher learning and to assume future leadership roles.
With enough funding, teachers committed to meeting today's challenge of engaging and educating Internet-savvy, "connected" students can turn their ideas into reality. ING, a global financial services company, has taken notice of the innovative ideas of these "unsung heroes" for more than a decade and is committed to recognizing and rewarding educators for their ingenuity.
The ING Unsung Heroes awards program recognizes Kindergarten through 12th grade educators nationwide for their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects and ability to positively influence the children they teach. Since honoring its first "unsung hero" in 1996, ING has awarded more than $3 million to nearly 1,300 educators across the United States.
ING today announced that after receiving more than 1,400 applications this year and choosing 100 initial $2,000 award winners, Robert Ostmann, a teacher at Laurel High School in Los Alamitos, Calif., has been selected to receive the top prize in the 2008 ING Unsung Heroes awards program. As the winner, Ostmann will receive an additional $25,000 for his "LifeWorks Studio" program.
Over the years, Robert Ostmann has worked relentlessly to keep Laurel High School students in school. His latest creative business ideas just might have what it takes to keep at-risk students in class, as well as prepare them for productive adult lives. His "LifeWorks Studio" program consists of two components: 1) a student-operated small business that contracts with parent groups at other district schools to videotape plays, concerts and other events to produce professional-quality DVDs for the schools to sell as fundraisers and 2) a public-service partnership between students and a regional hospice organization to film and produce "LifeStory" video memoirs of men and women nearing the end of their lives. LifeWorks Studios moves learning outside the conventional classroom model.
Running a community-based business gives students a chance to move beyond their limited world of school and friends to connect with the larger community. Interacting across generations and immersing themselves in the life stories of others will give students a unique perspective on the possibilities and challenges that life can throw their way. Over the school year, about 40 students will directly benefit by working in both the small business and the public service components of LifeWorks Studio. The project reinforces the Laurel High staff's commitment to keep their students in school and equip them to become productive citizens and lifelong learners in a technology-driven world. Ostmann resides in Los Alamitos.
"We are very proud of Bob for his excellent work with our students and his commitment to discovering innovative ideas to engage and prepare them for a bright future," said Gregory Franklin, superintendent, Los Alamitos Unified School District. "We appreciate companies like ING that are taking interest in education and offering resources to educators who are working hard every day to ensure students receive the best education available to them."
"ING is proud to recognize teachers across America like Robert Ostmann who are dedicated to motivating and inspiring school children to excel," said Dan Hanlon, senior vice president, Public Market Sales, ING U.S. Wealth Management. "Our company is committed to education, and funding programs that are making it easier for our youth to learn is an investment with a huge return -- preparing our youth for success in the future."
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Thursday, September 4, 2008
Six Flags Wins Top Honors at 2008 Golden Ticket Awards
GFP Note: Six Flags over Georgia pulled in the golden ticket for Riverview Carousel as Best Carousel.
PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE:SIX) announced today that Amusement Today, the nation's leading theme park industry publication, has awarded the company two coveted 2008 Golden Ticket Awards. The Golden Ticket Awards annually recognize the "Best of the Best" in the leisure entertainment industry. These awards, often referred to as "The Oscars of the Amusement Industry," are voted on by a panel of experts and enthusiasts from across the country.
Six Flags has once again received top honors for the industry's Best Shows with Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Texas winning an unprecedented 10th straight award in the category. Six Flags was also recognized for the Best Steel Coaster -- SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. This is the fourth win for this perennial favorite and its third in a row.
Six Flags held 15 placements on Amusement Today's list of the 50 Top Steel Coasters with SUPERMAN Ride of Steel receiving top honors, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure coming in at number 3 and Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia ranking 6th. Among the Top 50 Wooden Coasters, Six Flags had 7 placements including El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure at number 4.
"Superman Ride of Steel is simply an amazing machine," said Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator Tim Baldwin. "There is no other steel coaster anywhere on the planet that delivers great drops, massive negative Gs, and wild directional changes to the scale Superman does. It's the ultimate package."
"We are very proud of our portfolio of parks and the world class, thrilling entertainment each of them deliver every single operating day," said Mike Antinoro, Six Flags Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing, "and we are extremely grateful to Amusement Today and theme park guests everywhere for this honor and recognition."
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Dan and Kathelen Amos to Accept the American Cancer Society's 'Visionary' Award
PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos and Aflac Foundation President Kathelen Amos today accepted the American Cancer Society's "Visionary" award for 2007-2008. Mr. and Mrs. Amos received the award on behalf of Aflac during a morning ceremony at Aflac's worldwide headquarters in Columbus, Ga.
The award was presented by American Cancer Society Senior Vice President for the State of Georgia Georgette Porter in recognition of the company's three major fundraising events in Muscogee County held between September 2007 and August 2008, including a golf tournament, the Relay For Life and the Crystal Ball. All told the company raised almost $536,000 to help support cancer research in the Columbus region.
"We are pleased to accept this award on behalf of the Aflac family. Aflac's involvement with and our support of the mission of the local chapter of ACS goes back to our roots and demonstrates a common commitment to provide help and support for cancer patients and their families," Kathelen Amos said. "The efforts of our employees as volunteers and fundraisers, in addition to our corporate financial support, reflect our belief in the importance of ACS and its role in the fight against cancer."
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