Tag Archives: NonProfit and Charities

LBA Ware Sponsors Young Entrepreneurs Academy to Cultivate a Future Generation of Entrepreneurs in Middle Georgia

MACON, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- LBA Ware(TM), the leading provider of automated compensation software and systems integration solutions for mortgage lenders announced its fiscal sponsorship of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce's Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), an innovative program that transforms local middle and high school students into real entrepreneurial successes.

YEA! is an after-school program that coaches students aged 11 to 18 through the process of launching a business or social movement over the course of the academic school year. During the program, students draft and formalize their business plans, make investor pitches to obtain funding, legally register their businesses and engage with successful entrepreneurs. The program culminates with the students launching self-owned and operated businesses, which they may continue to grow.

"LBA Ware is delighted to sponsor YEA! as it enters its third year," said Lori Brewer, founder and CEO of LBA Ware. "As the founder of a successful software company launched from my living room, I want to pay my success forward by cultivating a future generation of entrepreneurs and CEOs within the local community. YEA! is an exciting program that empowers youth by helping them envision a future of their own making while equipping them with knowledge and skills that will help them achieve their goals."

LBA Ware is a passionate contributor to organizations that support education, technology startups and entrepreneurship. As an active partner of the Georgia technology incubator, Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), LBA Ware recently joined efforts with SparkMacon to expand the ATDC's reach into Macon by co-hosting an event for local tech companies and entrepreneurs each month at LBA Ware's office.

For more information about the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce sponsored YEA! initiative, visit https://www.maconchamber.com/young-entrepreneurs-academy.php.

About the Young Entrepreneurs Academy:

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a 501(c)(3) offering groundbreaking year-long classes that teach middle and high school students how to start and run their own businesses. Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors for startup funds, and launch and run their own, fully formed companies and social movements. The project-based program empowers students to take charge of their futures.

Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kauffman Foundation, YEA! today serves thousands of students nationwide. In 2011, the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation became a national sponsor and partner of the Academy to help celebrate the spirit of enterprise among today's youth and tomorrow's future leaders.

YEA! bridges the business and educational communities to fulfill its mission of teaching more students how to make a job, not just take a job. YEA! is made possible by The Kauffman Foundation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the E. Philip Saunders Foundation. For more information, visit: https://yeausa.org/.

About LBA Ware:

Founded in 2008, LBA Ware's mission is to inspire opportunity by delivering solutions that are essential to the way mortgage companies operate. We are a trusted partner and play a key role in our clients' success by enabling them to motivate, incentivize and better leverage the human potential within their organization. Our applications automate traditionally manual business processes for which an existing software solution does not exist, empowering lenders to create an integrated software environment that maximizes their productivity and operational efficiency. For more information about LBA Ware and our software solutions, visit https://lbaware.com.

Twitter: @LBAWare @macon_chamber @YEA_Macon #entrepreneurship #afterschoolprograms

LBA Ware(TM), the leading provider of automated compensation software and systems integration solutions for mortgage lenders announced its fiscal sponsorship of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce's Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), an innovative program that transforms local middle and high school students into real entrepreneurial successes.

Related link: https://lbaware.com/

SUDC Foundation Applauds Introduction of Federal Bill to Address Unexpected Child, Infant Deaths

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The SUDC Foundation is pleased to support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Tom Cole (OK-04) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to combat Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). The legislation was introduced in honor of Scarlett Pauley, who was lost to SUDC in January 2017 when she was just 16 months old.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is a category of death in children over the age of one year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. At least 400 children are lost to SUDC in the United States every year.

"This legislation is named 'Scarlett's Sunshine' after a little girl who was lost to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood," said Senator Casey. "I wanted to honor Scarlett's memory and make sure that the federal government is taking all possible steps to ensure that no family will have to suffer the death of a child, without knowing why. It's appalling that over 400 children ages 1-4 and over 3,600 infants each year are dying from these unexplained causes. I urge my colleagues to join us in this bipartisan, bicameral effort."

"Wisconsin has the highest rate of Black infant mortality in the nation. Our babies die at rates comparable to war-torn countries like Syria," said Representative Moore. "This doesn't have anything to do with good or bad parenting. But because there are no nationwide standards for investigations and data collection, parents are often left wondering what went wrong and what they could have done to prevent their baby from dying. No mother, no matter her background, should have to with live with this uncertainty, thinking it was their fault. That's why this bipartisan and bicameral bill to fund critical data collection is a game changer. We need to know the root of the problem to solve it."

"While it is the fifth leading category of death among children ages 1 to 4, SUDC has not been directly addressed in our federal policy in regards to surveillance, research or prevention strategies," said Laura Gould Crandall, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the SUDC Foundation. "We can and we must do better. We applaud Senator Casey's and Congresswoman Moore's leadership on behalf of SUDC families worldwide and look forward to working with them to achieve our mission of a future free of SUDC."

"On January 8th, 2017, our lives were shattered when our beautiful, healthy, thriving daughter, Scarlett Lillian Pauley, went to sleep and never woke up. And we do not know why," said Stephanie Zarecky and Ryan Pauley. "Losing a child is the single greatest pain we could ever imagine and living without answers magnifies the tragedy exponentially. We try every day to spread Scarlett's Sunshine, allowing her memory to shine on and bring light to SUDC, the medical mystery that took her from us. We thank Senator Casey and Congresswoman Moore for their leadership on Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act in honor of Scarlett and all of the other children who are deeply loved and missed."

If passed into law, Scarlett's Sunshine Act it will authorize over $49 million in new federal funding to strengthen efforts to better track, understand and prevent SUDC and SUID. Specifically, it would supply grants to help states and municipalities to improve data collection and death scene investigations related to unexpected infant and child deaths and ensure death reviews are completed for 100 percent of infant and child fatalities. Currently, there are no nationwide standards for investigating and collecting data following an infant or child death. This makes it nearly impossible to determine the causes of these deaths and what strategies our country can implement to prevent these tragedies.

This bill has also been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Association, Cribs for Kids, First Candle, March of Dimes, Kids in Danger, Within Our Reach and the Aaron Matthew SIDS Guild of Seattle Children's Hospital.

To learn more and support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/scarletts-sunshine-act

About the SUDC Foundation:
The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families. Learn more: https://sudc.org.

The SUDC Foundation is pleased to support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Tom Cole (OK-04) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to combat Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

Related link: https://sudc.org/

Director Troy Rowland to Shoot ‘DangerMan Returns’ the Black Superhero Film Sequel

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- It will be lights, camera and a lot of action as DangerMan, America's Real Life Black Superhero, gears up to shoot the sequel to his original film release. "DangerMan Returns" will be directed by Troy Michael Rowland, a veteran entertainment specialist whose credits include Disney, Amazon and TV One.

Actor, mentor and philanthropist Roger I. Tinsley, the founder of the DangerMan Urban Superhero brand and CEO/President of the DangerMan Education Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, will executive produce the film.

Well known for his adventures against crime in Los Angeles' gritty streets, DangerMan is really Max Manley, an investment banker by day. "DangerMan Returns," finds the urban crime fighter seeking revenge and justice after the murder of his wife and son. The roles of Max Manley and DangerMan are played by Tinsley. This is the second installment of the "DangerMan Chronicles" crime series. The first episode titled "Girls Aren't for Sale," debuted on YouTube ( https://youtu.be/ZU7gAOMG89o ) four years ago.

"We are extremely excited to have Troy Rowland on board for this go around," expresses Tinsley. "'DangerMan Returns' is going to be grittier as we find DangerMan experiencing heartbreak and loss on a really personal level. Rowland has been a fan and supporter of DangerMan since the beginning and we are confident about his vision to capture the spirit of this project."

Troy Rowland began his acting career in Philadelphia, PA at the world-renowned Freedom Theater under the auspices of John E. Allen. As one of Hollywood's premier life and acting coaches, he is currently senior vice president of the Urban Film and Television Department at Patriot Pictures, a Michael Mendelsohn company. Rowland recently worked for Amazon on Sid and Marty Kroft's "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters." He also directed six episodes of Disney's "Walk the Prank" and worked on TV One's comedy, "Here We Go Again," starring LeToya Luckett and Wendy Raquel Robinson. Other directing projects include the Disney XD show "Kirby Buckets" as well as "The Assist" starring Los Angeles Lakers Nick Young, aka "Swaggy P" and reality star Tami Roman.

Tinsley first introduced DangerMan to America in 1998 after being emotionally impacted by the death of a four-year-old who was tragically killed on her birthday as a result gang-related gun fire. Tinsley felt compelled to create a real-life super hero who could serve as a role model for school age children in underserved communities while addressing issues that specifically affected them. Using his own money and resources he created DangerMan, the Urban Superhero.

As a 'real life' urban superhero, DangerMan is an advocate for children's rights promoting literacy, safety and good health. He wages against bullying and also fights human trafficking. DangerMan visits schools and community events encouraging his audience with a motto of "No gangs, guns, drugs, alcohol or tobacco." He has traveled throughout America and Haiti, empowering children to live their best life. "Protect, Promote and Provide" are the pillars DangerMan lives by. Tinsley credits Marvel comic book legend Stan Lee for a great portion of his inspiration and success.

DangerMan has steadily evolved into the fastest growing real-life superhero brand and is celebrating a 20-year anniversary! The Third Annual DangerMan Hero Awards Show is slated for December. In addition, DangerMan is a new rap recording artist and will be releasing his single "I'm Danger Man the Black Superman!" on iTunes and across all digital music platforms.

To keep up with the exploits of DangerMan, America's Real Life Urban Super Hero go to http://dangermanheroawards.com/ and http://www.thedangerman.com/.

Friend DangerMan on Facebook at DangerMan Urban Superhero ( https://www.facebook.com/DangerManUrbanSuperhero/ ) follow DangerMan on Instagram at @dangermanurban ( https://www.instagram.com/dangermanurban/ ) and join him on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/urbansuperhero.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/-O0wwWI7nBc

It will be lights, camera and a lot of action as DangerMan, America's Real Life Black Superhero, gears up to shoot the sequel to his original film release. "DangerMan Returns" will be directed by Troy Michael Rowland, a veteran entertainment specialist whose credits include Disney, Amazon and TV One. Roger I. Tinsley, CEO/President of the DangerMan Education Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, will executive produce the film.

Related link: http://www.thedangerman.com/

New Billboard Campaign in FIVE U.S. Cities Honoring Healthy 2-Year Old Who Died Last Year Just Days After Vaccines

SYRACUSE, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- This week, the non-profit Learn The Risk launched five billboards on the East Coast, including New York and Boston, honoring Nicholas Catone, a healthy 20-month old boy who lost his life to vaccines.

On September 8, 2018 Nicholas Catone should have been celebrating his 3rd birthday -- but he didn't. Nicholas, the little boy pictured in the billboard, died just days after receiving his routine childhood vaccines. His death, like thousands of others every year, was labeled Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The five-city billboard campaign aims to raise awareness of vaccine side effects, including death, as listed on vaccine product inserts and as shown in scientific reports published in leading medical journals (*Note 1). When multiple vaccines are given at one time, the risk of serious side effects increases and the campaign aims to help parents make educated choices for their families.

"You get angry because his death could have been prevented. Nobody ever mentioned any of this to us," said Nick Catone, Nicholas's father in an interview with News12, New Jersey (*Note 2).

The Health & Human Services (HHS) branch of the U.S. Government has received more than 7,000 reports of deaths linked to vaccinations, and more than 580,000 reports of serious side effects, according to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (*Note 3). An HHS report on VAERS done by Harvard Medical School found that "fewer than 1 percent of vaccine adverse events are reported." (*Note 4)

Given this estimate, vaccine-related deaths could be closer to 700,000, while serious side effects would be in the millions. Yet many parents are not told about side effects of vaccines until it's too late.

Many of these deaths occur in children under one year old after receiving one of the 35 childhood vaccines on the U.S. schedule given to infants. Most deaths are labeled SIDs, which is purely a label for deaths with an unknown reason. More than 23,000 U.S. children die in the U.S. before their first birthday, with most deaths being labeled as unknown cause or SIDS (*Note 5).

Learn more at: https://www.learntherisk.org/

About Learn The Risk:

Learn The Risk, a grassroots educational 501(c)(3) non-profit, has an important mission: to create a healthier world. Learn The Risk educates people on the very real side effects and dangers of pharmaceutical drugs and treatments, including vaccines. The organization was founded by former pharmaceutical (Merck) insider Brandy Vaughan, after she learned too much about the real dangers of pharmaceutical drugs and treatments while working on the inside.

Brandy left Merck, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, disturbed by what she saw with the infamous drug VIOXX, which she sold for the company. She now speaks internationally about our broken healthcare system, and has made it her life mission to create a healthier world - one person at a time.

"After working inside the pharmaceutical industry, I realized that just because something is on the market and your doctor gives it to you, does NOT guarantee that it's safe. In fact, pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. People deserve this information," Brandy states (*Note 6).

Learn The Risk reaches MILLIONS of people each month through powerful advertising & social media campaigns, and is the leading website resource for those researching pharmaceutical and vaccine dangers as well as a healthier lifestyle.

Learn more at: https://www.learntherisk.org/.

References:
1. https://www.learntherisk.org/death
2. New Jersey Channel 12 news: http://newjersey.news12.com/story/38999281/former-professional-fighter-says-vaccines-are-to-blame-for-sons-death
3. Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: https://wonder.cdc.gov/vaers.html
4. Health and Human Services website: https://healthit.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/publication/r18hs017045-lazarus-final-report-2011.pdf
5. CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
6. Report by Harvard University: https://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/new-prescription-drugs-major-health-risk-few-offsetting-advantages

Billboard locations:
1. Brick, NJ: Southside Route 88, just before Van Zile road
2. New Haven, CT: On South main street, north of Ward street, facing south
3. Kansas City, MO: On Blue Parkway, east of Hardestry, facing west
4. Syracuse, NY: On Highway 103 Westbound, near State Fair, facing west
5. Boston, MA: On highway 99 Northbound, Route 1 near Bryson Rd, facing north.

Media Contact:
Brandy Vaughan
Executive Director of the educational non-profit Learn The Risk
Phone: 415-987-9412
Email: info@LearnTheRisk.org

*PHOTO link for media:
https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0920s2p-nicholas-billboard-300dpi.jpg

TWITTER: @learntherisk #flyhighnicholas

This week, the non-profit Learn The Risk launched five billboards on the East Coast, including New York and Boston, honoring Nicholas Catone, a healthy 20-month old boy who lost his life to vaccines. The five-city billboard campaign aims to raise awareness of vaccine side effects, including death.

Related link: https://www.learntherisk.org/

Pioneer of Golf Shot Tracking and Measurement commits $250,000 of golf shot measurement technology to provide a new golf sport for the blind

TAMPA, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Florida resident George Nauck has established Golf For Blind, Inc., a Florida Not For Profit Corporation. Funds raised will be used to place golf shot measurement and scoring systems on ranges where blind and disabled veterans may learn to play golf through measured and scored target shoots.

A 1960 graduate of Texas A&M College where he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering, Nauck worked in the oil and gas industry where he authored a technical paper with ground-breaking methods for optimizing recovery from gas wells. The paper was delivered at numerous conventions of the SPE before Nauck moved to the synthetic rubber industry where he managed a technical department and earned the president's award for innovation. Moving to the plastics division, he managed plastics manufacturing plants in Massachusetts and Alabama.

After retiring from chemical plant management, Nauck used NASA's Office of Technology Transfer and leading Space and Defense technologists surrounding Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama to design and demonstrate golf shot tracking and measurement systems for ranges.

His U.S. patent No. 5,413,345 in 1995 formed the basis for golf shot tracer technology that is now widely implemented for telecasts of Professional Golf tournaments and Major League Baseball. The displays of colored ribbons with shot trajectory and information and the path and location of pitches over the plate use technology pioneered by Nauck.

At the request of golf ball manufacturers, Nauck, dba Encore Golf of Decatur, Alabama, set out to develop the first instrument capable of measuring the continuous spin and velocity of shots anywhere on trajectory. The high powered 10.525 gigahertz radar based instrument was named the Spin Detective and was used to provide long-sought information for all the major golf ball manufacturers. It was the basis for a technical paper presented at the 1998 World Scientific Congress of Golf at St. Andrews, Scotland.

As an engineer, Nauck was versed in statistical quality control principles used throughout industry to measure machines and processes as to the accuracy and consistency of their output. Homer Kelley's classic book "The Golfing Machine" breaks down the golfer into a machine. For many years, the "Iron Byron", a mechanical golfing machine designed and built by True Temper, which duplicated the swing of Byron Nelson, was used by USGA and throughout industry to test the performance of golf balls when struck with the exact same swing as Byron Nelson.

Nauck took the measurement of the shots to a new level by designing a coordinate measuring method of shots at a target, and applying statistical process control calculations to the shot groups. This has allowed golfers to quantify their performance improvement and to compete in target shoots. Use of statistical process control principles for golfer performance was acknowledged by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, (1900-1993) who is widely acknowledged as the leading management thinker in the field of quality. He was a statistician and business consultant whose methods helped hasten Japan's recovery after the Second World War and beyond.

Through Golf For Blind, Inc., Nauck has committed his financial investment and years of research and development to create a better golf learning experience and competitive golf sport for the blind and others with disabilities. A member of The United States Blind Golf Association, Nauck expects that a Paralympic golf sport for the blind will emerge as his shot measurement and scoring system becomes a standard fixture on golf learning and practice facilities. All excess funding will be divided between The USBGA and The Blinded Veterans Association. An Army Veteran himself, Nauck helps with the adaptive golf program for disabled veterans from James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida.

Through Golf For Blind, Inc., and the website https://golfforblind.org/, Nauck will raise funds to equip ranges where adaptive golf for the blind is taught and practiced.

Florida resident George Nauck has established Golf For Blind, Inc., a Florida Not For Profit Corporation. Funds raised will be used to place golf shot measurement and scoring systems on ranges where blind and disabled veterans may learn to play golf through measured and scored target shoots.

Related link: https://golfforblind.org/

Carol Borden, Founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Named a Pet Industry Woman of the Year Finalist

WILLISTON, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Founder and CEO, Carol Borden has been selected as one of twenty-five women vying for the title of Pet Industry Woman of the Year 2018. Becoming a Finalist puts Carol Borden in the running for one of the 5 category winners and from that the option of the top spot of Pet Industry Woman of the Year which will be announced during the live awards show on Oct 2, in Oaks, Pa. at The Club at Shannondell. This is in conjunction with the Pet Connections Expo being held in Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

Pet Industry Woman of the Year has been showcasing leaders in the pet industry for the past 5 years. There are 5 categories nominees can compete in: Advocate, which represents women doing advocacy for pets. Corporate, for leaders who own or work for corporations. Entrepreneur, for women opening and running one or multiple businesses. Rising Star for those women in the fast lane doing remarkable work to keep our eyes on. Lastly, Solopreneur, for women doing it all solo.

Women in the Pet Industry Network (WIPIN) is a leading organization focused on women leaders in all categories of this ever-growing pet industry. Leaders don't need to be members of WIPIN to compete for Pet Industry Woman of the Year, and many of the finalists are members, however the caliber of these finalists speaks to how vital the pet space is becoming because of so many women doing remarkable work.

About Carol Borden:
Titling her first dog at the age of 10, Carol has spent a lifetime loving and training dogs. In 2010, she founded Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. in Williston, Florida where she has raised, trained and donated nearly 300 individually trained service dogs for those with disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure and diabetic disorders and mobility issues.

Carol has remained a trailblazer in the Service Dog industry, working with the states of both Florida and Michigan in drafting their service dog legislation to protect the rights of the disabled; and her training curriculum has just become the first accredited service dog training program in the State of Florida. Carol was a 2015 winner of the Stephen B. Wise award and a 2018 winner of the AUSV Vetty Award for service to veterans in the Mental Health Category.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has grown into a nation-wide organization. Today, Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program.

For more information on our program, visit: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/ and please consider joining us, as we Unleash the Power to Heal.

About Women in the Pet Industry Network (WIPIN):
Headquartered near Portland, Ore., WIPIN serves leaders who are making a difference in the pet space. WIPIN members come from all categories within the pet industry, from groomers and veterinarians to pet sitters and pet boutique owners. Women in the Pet Industry Network is committed to igniting leaders who ignite others which in turn makes a positive impact on all pets and their people. For more information, please visit http://www.womeninthepetindustry.com/.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Founder and CEO, Carol Borden has been selected as one of twenty-five women vying for the title of Pet Industry Woman of the Year 2018. Carol has remained a trailblazer in the Service Dog industry, working with the states of both Florida and Michigan in drafting their service dog legislation to protect the rights of the disabled.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

Taking a Hard Look at Persecution Around the World, Christians in the U.S. Make Documentary

TAMPA, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- "Christians in the Mirror," a first-of-its-kind independent documentary produced by Joshuacord, Inc. and In Altum Productions, premieres Friday, September 28, at AMC West Shore 14 in Tampa at 6 p.m. Taking a hard look at how America and the West have been involved in the global persecution of Christians, this indie film interviews Christians from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Religious persecution is a human rights issue that is receiving more political attention with the appointment of Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent ministerial conference to advance religious freedom.

Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world with 90,000 killed annually, according to a The Center for the Study of Global Christianity. This film brings awareness of their plight to the West and what might be done to help them.

In the film you will hear from one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, family members of the 21 Egyptian Christian martyrs from the 2015 ISIS beheadings, as well as refugees returning to villages destroyed by ISIS and civil war in Syria and Iraq.

Producer Patrick Carberry rallied hundreds in the West to make this film.

"We have to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Americans and American Christians, in particular, need to act now. Why is there silence and lack of support from many affluent churches in America?" said Patrick Carberry, founder of Joshuacord and film co-producer.

Producer and Director Jordan Allott artfully illustrates poignant stories of the persecuted from Syria, Iraq, Sudan, India and Egypt, while also highlighting the important work many are doing on the ground to implement long-term change in some of the world's most dangerous places.

The evening includes a reception and discussion with Producer Patrick Carberry and Producer and Director Jordan Allott.

"Christians in the Mirror" is a partnership between Joshuacoard, a Tampa-based nonprofit, and In Altum Productions.

Open to the public - persons of any religion, faith background, or belief system are encouraged to attend this opening premiere.

Tickets may be purchased ahead of time or the night of the premiere here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christians-in-the-mirror-tampa-premiere-tickets-49473957940.

For press and media inquiries, please contact Patrick Carberry. Press are invited to the premiere.

More information: http://christiansinthemirror.com/

Film page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristiansInTheMirror247/

More information on the film producers: https://www.joshuacord.org/ and http://www.inaltumproductions.com/.

*IMAGE for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0905s2p-cinmirror-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @joshua_cord #ChristiansintheMirror

VIDEO (Vimeo): https://vimeo.com/243393463

"Christians in the Mirror," a first-of-its-kind independent documentary produced by Joshuacord, Inc. and In Altum Productions, premieres Friday, September 28, at AMC West Shore 14 in Tampa at 6 p.m. Taking a hard look at how America and the West have been involved in the global persecution of Christians, this indie film interviews Christians from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Related link: https://www.joshuacord.org/

Kick-Off Festival for DFW Free Day of Yoga – Dallas, Texas, September 1, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Non-Profit Mission: DFW Free Day of Yoga's mission is expand and enhance the practice of yoga, building a greater sense of community in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Don't let the name fool you -- it's not just one day of FREE Yoga -- it's a weekend!

The 12th Annual DFW Free Day of Yoga begins with the Kick-Off Festival in Farmer's Market featuring the LARGEST COMMUNITY CLASS IN DFW opening the festival at 9 a.m. Register online!

Come explore and participate -- with so much happening you will want to stay all day:
* Community Yoga Class at 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
* 12 Mini-Classes some of the most experienced and insightful teachers in DFW
* A variety of yoga styles from Ashtanga, Yin and Acro to Yoga for Kids
* Meditations including crystal singing bowls for healing
* DJ Noor will be spinning her unique style of melodic ancient harmonies for all to enjoy
* Vendors with collections of art, jewelry, yoga attire, oils, one of kind items and much more!
* Contests and games all day
* Giveaways & Goodie Bags
* Shop the Shed and The Market for organic produce and edibles
* Eat at the best restaurants in the Metroplex with the freshest and healthiest foods
* Visit the Grand Opening of the Urban Farmhouse Home Decor store.

The Yoga Teachers for the Kick-Off Festival's LARGEST COMMUNITY CLASS IN DFW include some of most sought after yoga teachers with a wide range of styles and techniques including: Kurt Johnsen founder of American Power Yoga, Lisa Ware owner of Yoga 4 Love, Ricky Tran founder of Ricky Tran Yoga, Amy Johnson owner of Eastside Karmany and co-owner of Twist Power Yoga, Kirsten Joy-Burch owner of Living Yoga Dallas and founder of PraniLife, Nicole Shaw from Reefpoint Yoga and "AJ" Amy Jo Crowell owner of Dallas Yoga Magazine and co-founder Cosmic Yogi Festivals. The Community Class is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The weekend continues with Free Day of Yoga FORT WORTH COMMUNITY CLASS on Sunday, September 2. Held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at The Kimbell Art Museum Lawn with 9 of Fort Worth's amazing teachers.

The OFFICIAL FREE DAY OF YOGA is on Monday, September 4, 2018. Yoga Centers throughout the Metroplex will be offering FREE yoga classes from sunrise to sunset.

Learn more at: http://dfwfreedayofyoga.com.

Video from 2017 Event - official (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/faWOLN6ao6k

DFW Free Day of Yoga's mission is expand and enhance the practice of yoga, building a greater sense of community in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. The 12th Annual DFW Free Day of Yoga begins with the Kick-Off Festival in Farmer's Market featuring the LARGEST COMMUNITY CLASS IN DFW opening the festival at 9 a.m.

Related link: http://dfwfreedayofyoga.com/

Heads Up, Broadway: Phenomenology Reimagines How to Make Dreams Come True for Artists

FREDERICK, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- Phenomenology, Inc., an innovative production model in the performing arts, today announced its mission to create game-changing opportunities for high-potential performing artists and technicians, many of whom call - or have called - Frederick, Md. their home.

"Phenomenology is a corridor for the performing arts, by bringing productions direct from New York City to Frederick and launching projects direct from the City of Spires to the Big Apple," says Jeffery Keilholtz, Artistic Director & CEO for Phenomenology. "Unlike traditional theater or film production companies, Phenomenology operates in a completely different way."

Established in 2018, Phenomenology, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, produces dynamic projects across the breadth of performing arts, by placing acclaimed stars side-by-side with undiscovered talent, in the same powerhouse event. Much of the undiscovered talent - cast or crew - has a direct connection to Frederick. Audiences are also treated to a red carpet experience with each event.

"The result is that we contribute to the cultural value of Frederick and improve the lives of homegrown performing artists by showcasing their gifts with once-in-a-lifetime collaborations and career-making encounters," continued Keilholtz. "It is entirely possible for this town to help numerous artists and technicians land work on and off Broadway over the next three to five years - and cultivate many more who long to launch thriving careers."

Phenomenology is set to premiere its first red carpet production in Frederick, Maryland in the spring of 2019, and is hosting a masquerade gala fundraiser on October 27, 2018 at 7 p.m. at The Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland, where more details about the inaugural project will be unveiled - along with additional information about how the organization gives back to the community.

Masquerade tickets are available by visiting the organization's website: https://phenoart.org/masquerade-fundraiser/.

"Show business is hard," concluded Keilholtz, "and no one should feel ashamed to devote their lives to art."

About Phenomenology, Inc.:

Phenomenology, Inc., a new 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is an innovative production model in Frederick, Maryland, with a mission to create opportunities that enhance the public exposure of local professional artists and technicians by producing high value performing arts projects to showcase their gifts. These activities help to enhance the cultural value of Frederick and enable the organization to give back in additional ways, including advocacy for children and working families, by building links between the arts, education, and the social sciences.

More information: https://phenoart.org/.

Phenomenology, Inc., an innovative production model in the performing arts, today announced its mission to create game-changing opportunities for high-potential performing artists and technicians, many of whom call - or have called - Frederick, Md. their home.

Related link: https://phenoart.org/

Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation to Host Annual Fundraiser 2018

NEWBURY, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation is proud to announce that its 2018 Backpack Bivouac fundraising event will take place at the Helmsley Pavilion at Camp Ho Mita Koda on Saturday, September 29, 2018, beginning at 6 p.m. This year's theme, "A Night to Light the Future," will raise critical dollars to help Camp Ho Mita Koda host children with diabetes as campers well into the future.

As Camp's largest fundraising annual event, Bivouac is critically important as we work to continue the mission and vision set forth in 1929 by Dr. Henry and Betty John at the nation's first camp for children with juvenile diabetes. The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation was able to host over 150 children with diabetes for the 2018 camp season and we look forward to hosting even more campers in 2019.

A "bivouac" is a French term for a temporary encampment, shelter or lodging. These shelters are frequently out under the stars, like Camp Ho Mita Koda, which is set on 72 beautiful acres in Geauga County. Campers sleep in cabins organized by age group, enjoying camp fires at night and traditional camp activities each day including swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, and more.

Campers receive around the clock medical care provided by our community's leading hospitals systems including the Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals.

Camp Ho Mita Koda relies on contributions to operate. This summer, overnight camp was offered at $650 per week for each camper. This is a 50 percent discount to the roughly $1300 per week that it costs the Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation to provide camp to each camper. Camperships are also available, as the cost of managing juvenile diabetes is very high and a struggle for many families. The Camp Ho Kita Koda Foundation's goal is that any interested camper be able to participate, regardless of family income, with help from our campership program.

This year's event promises to be the best yet with a silent auction, great food, and a growing, robust camp community. Come join us as we celebrate our successes and look forward to the future!

If you would like to sponsor this event, donate an auction item, or attend, please visit https://www.camphomitakoda.org/bivouac/.

About Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation:

The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) that was formed in 2017 to save and operate Camp Ho Mita Koda in Newbury, Ohio. Each summer, over 150 campers come to our 72-acre camp to make friends, have fun, and learn how to manage their disease. For more information about Camp Ho Mita Koda, please visit https://www.camphomitakoda.org/.

For the latest news on Camp Ho Mita Koda, follow us on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampHoMitaKoda/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CampHoMitaKoda
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camphmk/

NEWBURY, Ohio, Aug. 27, 2018 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation is proud to announce that its 2018 Backpack Bivouac fundraising event will take place at the Helmsley Pavilion at Camp Ho Mita Koda on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, beginning at 6 p.m. This year's theme, "A Night to Light the Future," will raise critical dollars to help Camp Ho Mita Koda host children with diabetes as campers well into the future.

Related link: https://www.camphomitakoda.org/

South Bronx Gallery Exhibits Solo Show of Mexico City Artist Jorge Tellaeche

BRONX, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education, in partnership with The Consulate General of Mexico in New York, are proud to present "Forgotten" by Mexico City-based artist Jorge Tellaeche, on view September 13 - November 21, 2018.

Join us for a Celebration and Artist Talk on September 13 from 5-8 p.m. at the Casita Maria Gallery. The exhibition will include a collection of colorful small acrylic paintings on canvas, wooden sculpture, and an installation filled with organic forms that become totems, characters and alebrijes (mystical Mexican creatures) that reference pop culture and world social issues.

A companion exhibition of artwork created by Casita Maria Summer Campers titled, "Celebration of Nations" will hang in The Young Artist Gallery.

To learn more about Tellaeche's ideas and artistic process we invite young people aged 8-20 to Casita Maria on Saturday, September 15, 2015 from 10-11:30 a.m. for a free workshop titled EQUIPO, (Team in Spanish), where they will create their own alebrije.

This workshop is designed to empower young people through art making - reminding them they are unique and have the power to create.

The workshop is divided into four parts:
* Consciousness and Sharing
* Music and Individuality
* Decision Making
* Creativity and Problem Solving.

Through the exhibition and the workshop the artist will be exploring how as a people we have forgotten the importance of worth in our word and honor. Tellaeche feels that "becoming complacent with the times we have turned into a society of broken promises. In a time of apathetic fake news that pushes us to not care, we forget we are humans with rights and that we need each other. This show talks about the desire to reach abundance in love and apathy, remembering where we all come from."

"I can attest to Mexican artist Jorge Tellaeche´s creativity, talent and commitment to empower youth through art," said Diego Gomez Pickering, Consul General of Mexico in New York. "Therefore, it is an honor for the Consulate General of Mexico in New York to collaborate with Casita María Center for Arts & Education to present the exhibit "Forgotten" inviting us to reflect on who we truly are."

"We are all brought to this world to share our uniqueness," says Jorge Tellaeche. "Together as a community we are strong because in our diversity we create a rich picture full of colors and wonder. This collection of pieces are made to balance the conflicting times that we are living in where it seems ok to hate and oppress. It shows faces of different cultural backgrounds, even some made up (magical) to show that we are all the same. Also in this Utopia there are some creatures that in Mexico we call 'alebrijes,' they are a mixture of different animals that are meant to protect us and teach us about teamwork and consciousness."

Learn more about the show: https://www.casitamaria.org/programs/gallery/forgotten

About the Artist:
Jorge Tellaeche is a Mexico City-based artist whose work is honest and intimate. It touches on themes that are relevant to his surroundings, to evoke dialog and self-confrontation. His visual language includes painting, sculpture and murals. His murals have been commissioned by the likes of the Residence of the Ambassador in London, La Lomita in Valle de Guadalupe, and CUNY University in NY, as well as international brands like Adidas, W Hotel, and most recently, Lululemon.

Learn more about the artist: https://www.tellaeche.com/

About Casita Maria;
Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education is the first and oldest Latino 501(c)(3) charity in NYC, founded in 1934. The South Bronx-based community arts and educational organization presents diverse, contemporary visual and performing arts and education programming for all ages. Learn more at: https://www.casitamaria.org/.

About The Consulate General:
The Consulate General of Mexico in New York is the official representation of Mexico in the tri-state area. Its purpose is to protect, defend the rights and interests of, and seek the integration and empowerment of Mexican nationals living in the area. It provides various services such as: documentation (passports, consular ID's, birth certificates, dual nationality, marriage certificates, wills), protection for Mexican nationals, financial education. Information: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/nuevayork/index.php/en/.

Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education, in partnership with The Consulate General of Mexico in New York, are proud to present "Forgotten" by Mexico City-based artist Jorge Tellaeche, on view Sept. 13 - Nov. 21, 2018.

Related link: https://www.casitamaria.org/

United Disabilities Services Wins National Award for Work Related to Improving Outcomes for Individuals with Depression and Anxiety

LANCASTER, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- United Disabilities Services (UDS) Care Management Program, a non-profit organization committed to serving people with disabilities in Pennsylvania, announced that it has received first place in the Stories from the Field contest. Awarded by the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Business Acumen Center, and administered by the National Association of States United for Aging & Disabilities (NASUAD), this award recognizes organizations serving people with disabilities who have successfully grown their community-based business.

"Sharing of experiences and promising practices can strengthen the understanding of the role of business acumen for community-based businesses that serve people with disabilities," said Debra Scheidt, UDS Care Management Executive Director. "We are pleased to have been recognized by NASUAD for our work helping seniors, veterans and people with disabilities attain a safer, more independent life in their own homes, and hope that our story can serve as an example to help other organizations sustain and grow their business as well."

"Stories from the Field" contest was designed to encourage community-based organizations serving people with disabilities to share their experiences for the betterment of others and to expand thinking. Recognizing that depression and anxiety often increases utilization of services, UDS implemented a proactive approach focused on emotional wellness and outcomes. The organization's Care Management Program using standardized tools (PHQ 2 & PHQ 9) interviewed their participants and found that 27 percent identified with having symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Of that 27 percent that identified with symptoms, 48 percent recognized symptoms as mild and received education and talk line resources.

The remaining 52 percent involved follow up with the physician and or clinical therapist for moderate to severe symptoms. UDS invested in having their Care Coordinators certified in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) during the pilot phase of this program. This initiative was one of many Quality Measures launched by UDS to help reduce unplanned hospitalization and to maintain health and safety for their participants.

UDS will participate in a panel at the 2018 HCBS Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, August 27-30 to share their experiences. Their winning story will be distributed on the HCBS Business Acumen website in advance of the meeting, and a YouTube interview will be conducted to highlight UDS performance improvement initiatives and quality management processes.

In addition to winning the "Stories from the Field Contest" award, the UDS Care Management program has become nationally awarded and nationally accredited by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) this year.

Recognized as one of the leading human services providers in Pennsylvania, UDS takes its commitment to improving people's lives very seriously - continually creating new and better ways to make a difference in their local community; balancing mission focus with business focus, to help more people with more services.

For more information, please contact Nancy McCormick, Vice President Business Development at nanym@udsfoundation.org.

About United Disabilities Services (UDS):

United Disabilities Services (UDS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Lancaster, Pa., committed to helping seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, lead more independent and fulfilling lives. UDS has developed a wide variety of services and programs that improve quality of life and expand boundaries - including Care Management, Accessible Home Modifications, Service Dogs, Custom Wheelchair Seating and more.

Today, over 350 caring, dedicated employees proudly serve people with disabilities in 40 counties throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. Last year alone, UDS provided services to more than 5,000 clients, enabling them to live more happily, more independently, and in control of the decisions that affect their lives.

For more information, visit http://www.udservices.org/.

United Disabilities Services (UDS) Care Management Program, a non-profit organization committed to serving people with disabilities in Pennsylvania, announced that it has received first place in the Stories from the Field contest. This award recognizes organizations serving people with disabilities who have successfully grown their community-based business.

Related link: http://www.udservices.org/

Parkland School Survivor and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Recipient to return to first day of school with Service Dog Escort

PARKLAND, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, located in Williston, Fla. In June of this year, we paired Parkland School Shooting survivor, Haylee Shepherd with a Medical Service Dog, to cope with the PTSD developed after last year's shooting.

Haylee's mom, Andrea, said: "Haylee unfortunately was in the 1200 building at MSD on, February 14th, the day of one of the largest mass school shootings. On the day of love, she heard and witnessed 17 friends and staff members shot and killed before her eyes.

"Since then she has been suffering with anxiety attacks, terrifying nightmares, and the fear of being alone. However, {Service Dog} Spree instantly put the smile back on her face, the ability to sleep soundly, and to know she's never alone. Spree is giving her the strength to move forward, one day at a time, with the same determination and confidence she had prior to this horrific day.

"We are forever grateful to all the hard workers at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs that made this even possible. From the moment we stepped on the farm we were treated with nothing but love and support. With all the hate we see around the world these days, it's amazing to feel the love!"

Guardian Angels is proud to have built a strong, private online community for our recipients, where they can share and learn from each other's experiences, no matter where they are located.

So moved were our recipients by Haylee's story, that several of our Florida recipients will be joining her to escort her to her first day back at school on August 15, 2018. A Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs staff trainer will also join Haylee.

At this time, three of our more experienced Service Dog teams are planning on attending. They are: Rudy and his Service Dog, Rocket; Robert and his Service Dog, Sirius, Sarah and her Service Dog, Hero; and Jim and his Service Dog, Nina. A Guardian Angels trainer will also accompany Haylee on her first day back with Spree.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs would like to take this opportunity to wish Haylee, and all the students returning to Marjorie Stoneman Douglas HS a peaceful first day back to class.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, mobility issues and more.

Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Since their inception in 2010, Guardian Angels has paired nearly 300 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need; and with your help, they can do even more.

For more information on our program, visit: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/ and please consider joining us, as we Unleash the Power to Heal.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, located in Williston, Fla. In June of this year, we paired Parkland School Shooting survivor, Haylee Shepherd with a Medical Service Dog, to cope with the PTSD developed after last year's shooting.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

David Copperfield Performing Special Benefit Show for Kids of Courage

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /ScoopCloud/ -- Kids of Courage, a medically-supervised travel program for seriously sick children and young adults, is currently in Las Vegas for their annual summer adventure. The unique non-for-profit program provides adaptive activities and events for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and serious disabilities. The current group consists of 120 medically-fragile campers from all over North America, accompanied by volunteer physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and caretaker counselors.

World-renowned illusionist David Copperfield, in partnership with the MGM Grand, is conducting a benefit performance, completely free of charge, for the visiting group on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 4 p.m. PDT at The David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

Mr. Copperfield has a long history of supporting organizations that improve the lives of children and young adults with disabilities. The ground-breaking performer founded Project Magic, an innovative program that uses magic as a form of therapy for people with physical, psychological, and social disabilities.

Kids of Courage participants have a wide variety of serious illnesses and disabilities, including childhood cancers; muscular dystrophy; childhood strokes; pre- and post-heart, -liver, and -lung transplants; brain tumors; quadriplegia with ventilator dependence; spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Many of the so-called "Couragers" are struggling with life-threatening situations. Participation in the program gives them unique skill sets for independence and leaves their parents at home to recover from the daily stresses of their care.

About Kids of Courage:

Kids of Courage, based in New York, is a true non-profit 501(c)(3). There is no charge to any participants or their families. Funds are used strictly for programming and caring for the children. The organization was created in 2008 when the co-founders saw a need for year-round trips and events, including adaptive programs such as skiing and water sports in weeklong travel adventures. Learn more at: https://www.kidsoc.org/.

Twitter: @KidsOfCourage @D_Copperfield #KidsofCourage #volunteerphysicians

Kids of Courage, a medically-supervised travel program for seriously sick children and young adults, is currently in Las Vegas for their annual summer adventure. The unique non-profit program provides adaptive activities and events for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and serious disabilities.

Related link: https://www.kidsoc.org/

Thompson Mackey and EPIC Insurance Host Young Risk Professional Event in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Atlanta-based Risk Management Consultant Thompson Mackey will be hosting an event with the non-profit he leads locally, Young Risk Professionals, at the rooftop of The Ivy in Buckhead on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The "Helping Students Navigate Internships" event features a panel discussion with four top insurance industry executives, providing guidance to current interns on building a career in the insurance industry.

The panel includes:
* Matthew Klaw - Vice President - Southeast Major Accounts Inland Marine Manager, Chubb.
* Doug Pera - Head of Corporate Risk & Broking - Atlantic South Region, Willis Towers Watson.
* Ben Powers, Vice President - P&C Unit Manager, Lockton
* Michael Shneibaum, Vice President - Commercial Officer, CAN.

Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and network with insurance industry executives and other young risk management professionals.

About Young Risk Professionals:

YRP's mission is to build next-generation leadership in risk management and insurance through networking, mentoring, and education initiatives. YRP was founded in 2013 in Texas and quickly grew. Today, YRP is active in six cities in Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma. EPIC is a founding sponsor of Young Risk Professionals (YRP) of Georgia, Inc., and is the 2018 Title Sponsor of the organization.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Atlanta-based Risk Management Consultant Thompson Mackey will be hosting an event with the non-profit he leads locally, Young Risk Professionals, at the rooftop of The Ivy in Buckhead on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Two Arrested at Civil Disobedience Protest on Rainbow Ridge

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Forests Forever, a non-profit forest protection advocacy group, today announced that five employees of Lear Asset Management, a security contractor for Humboldt Redwood Co. (HRC), swept down on protesters camped near a logging road on Rainbow Ridge in the Mattole River watershed at about 5 a.m. yesterday (July 22).

With tasers drawn the guards forcibly restrained two non-resisting protesters who had refused a request to leave, placing them under citizens arrest and confiscating personal equipment including solar panels and a camera.

The guards contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff's Dept., which arrived on the scene about 8 a.m. and took custody of the arrestees, who were later booked and released with pending court dates. At this writing the road blockade remains in place.

At issue is about 1,100 acres of primary, or ancient, forest consisting of Douglas-fir and diverse hardwoods, as well as natural coastal prairies. The area is vital habitat for listed species including but not limited to the Pacific fisher, pine marten, Northern spotted owl, Northern Goshawk, Golden eagle, Coho salmon, Sonoma tree vole, and the rare fungus agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis).

Logging of these forests along Rainbow Ridge could take place under two currently approved Timber Harvesting Plans. Opponents of the plans have raised objections about the validity of at least one of these plans, as well as calling into question the "green" certification accorded to HRC by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Not only is HRC logging virgin forest on its lands, but also is poisoning hardwoods through the use of a highly controversial practice known as "hack and squirt." Such practices should disqualify any timber company from FSC certification, critics say.

Rainbow Ridge is run by San Francisco's Sansome Partners, of which the Fisher family (best known for its GAP clothing) are major investors.

On the other side of the fight are citizens groups including the Lost Coast League (LCL), which has undertaken conservation projects in the area since the 1970s. LCL has sought from HRC to permanently protect Rainbow Ridge, outright purchase being one option, but thus far the company has refused.

Rainbow Ridge is bordered to the east by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home of the Rockefeller Grove, at 9,000 acres the largest contiguous virgin redwood forest remaining in the world. To the west lies the King Range National Conservation Area.

Preservation of Rainbow Ridge would thus safeguard a corridor between the two neighboring areas, providing enormous conservation values in an age of species decline and global warming.

About Forests Forever:

Forests Forever was founded in 1989 during the historic campaign to save the Headwaters ancient redwood forest in Humboldt County, California.

For almost 30 years we have been rallying Calif. in defense of the state's 17 million acres of woodland ecosystems and watersheds. Forests Forever is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Our Federal Employer ID Number is 68-0201338. Our website is http://www.forestsforever.org.

Forests Forever, a non-profit forest protection advocacy group, today announced that five employees of Lear Asset Management, a security contractor for Humboldt Redwood Co. (HRC), swept down on protesters camped near a logging road on Rainbow Ridge in the Mattole River watershed at about 5 a.m. yesterday (July 22).

Related link: http://forestsforever.org/

First Annual Regional Missing Children Awareness Day – Saturday, August 4, 2018

SPRINGFIELD, Va. /ScoopCloud/ -- On Saturday, August 4, 2018, all around the Washington D.C. metropolitan region, local law enforcement will gather along with Not a Runaway, NCMEC, families of other missing children and related vendors and sponsors in a collaborative effort to host the first region-wide Jholie Moussa REMEMBER... Missing Children's Awareness Event.

Named after 16-year old Jholie Moussa who went missing earlier this year and was found murdered 2 weeks later, this special day will serve as an annual reminder to renew regional efforts in reuniting missing children with their families, honor those who are still missing and make child safety a top priority.

Not a Runaway, Inc., (NAR) a non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery of missing children is hosting this collaboration with Fairfax County Police, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria County Police, Prince William County Police and Metropolitan Police to present this First Annual Missing Children's Awareness event.

The various law enforcement jurisdictions represented will be actively speaking with family members, the sheriff's office will be providing Child ID kits and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will be providing valuable information on child safety. In addition, numerous community organizations will be present to showcase the region's available resources.

This free community event will take place on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Va.

We welcome all to attend; parents and guardians are especially encouraged to bring their teenage children and hear from panelists that have been directly affected by the devastating atrocity of abductions while also participating in hands-on demonstrations. The must-attend family event will also host an AMBER Alert community forum.

"With thousands of missing children cases reported to police last year within just our region alone, it is vitally important that we talk to and educate our children about safety and awareness without unduly frightening them. Keeping that dialogue going is even more critical and key to preventing the exploitation and disappearance of youth," said Veronica Eyenga, Director at Not a Runaway, Inc.

The Jholie Moussa REMEMBER... Missing Children's Awareness Event will be divided into 2 sessions with one serving as a community forum that will address every question the community has on the AMBER Alert and how it works, while the second session will be an expo providing the rich resources of the law enforcement community, as well as offering practical safety tips and resources for families in crisis and prevention tools.

About Not a Runaway, Inc.:

Not a Runaway, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help in the promotion, information dissemination and recovery of missing children that have been specifically labeled as "runaways" by fostering a Triangle of Trust among law enforcement, community and a missing child's family. The team also works to educate the general public on ways the community can work together to bring missing children home and protect all children.

Learn more about Not a Runaway, Inc. at http://www.notarunaway.org/.

On August 4, 2018, all around the Washington D.C. metro region, local law enforcement will gather along with Not a Runaway, NCMEC, families of other missing children and related vendors and sponsors in a collaborative effort to host the first region-wide 'Jholie Moussa REMEMBER... Missing Children's Awareness Event.'

Related link: http://www.notarunaway.org/

6th Annual International C.diff. Conference and Health EXPO in Philadelphia PA November 8-9

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- The C Diff Foundation is honored to welcome 20+ leading topic experts joined by Dale Gerding, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Professor of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois and Research Physician at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Mark Wilcox,B Med Sci, BM, BS, MD, FRCPath-, Head of Microbiology and Academic Lead of Pathology at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTHT), Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Leeds, and Lead on Clostridium difficile for Public Health England (PHE).

Dale Gerding, MD, FACP, FIDSA and Mark Wilcox, B Med Sci, BM ,BS, MD, FRCPath- will be this year's Conference Chairs of the upcoming 6th Annual International "C.diff. Awareness Conference and Health EXPO," taking place on November 8 and 9, 2018 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Airport - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dale Gerding, MD, FACP, FIDSA and Mark Wilcox,B Med Sci, BM, BS, MD, FRCPath- join the internationally recognized experts in health care, academic, and industry leaders to discuss the burden of Clostridium difficile infections (C.difficile, C.diff., CDI) Prevention, Treatments, Diagnostics, Research, Clinical Trials, with Microbiome Research, Infection Prevention, Sepsis Prevention, Environmental Safety, Fecal Microbiota Restoration, Antibiotic Stewardship, Scientific Poster Presentations and more.

To learn more about this extraordinary conference, agenda and guest speakers: https://cdifffoundation.org/2018-guest-speakers/

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile) "has become the most common microbial cause of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and costs up to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs for acute care facilities alone." Statistics provided by the CDC suggest that C. difficile cause nearly 500,000 infections in patients in the U.S. annually. In one study noted by the CDC, among infected patients, nearly 29,000 died within 30 days of being diagnosed, and more than half of those deaths (15,000) were directly attributable to a C. difficile infection.

All attendees will have the highest levels of peer networking and learning opportunity at the International C.diff. Awareness Conference and Health EXPO. The conference program builds in time for face-to-face interaction between attending executives, corporate representatives and industry experts exhibiting in the health expo.

Attendee Barley Chironda, Infection Control Specialist, said about the 2017 conference, "I have attended all of the C Diff Foundation Conferences and I am always in awe at the wealth of new information that is presented at each conference. As an Infection Control Specialist, and a person who deals with Healthcare Infections, I feel this conference allows great knowledge sharing and networking."

With upmost appreciation we thank the following Exhibiting Sponsors for their continued support and partnering with the C Diff Foundation in promoting C. diff. Awareness worldwide:
- Diamond: Synthetic Biologics.
- Gold: Clorox Healthcare, Seres Therapeutics, ROCHE, Rebiotix, Pfizer.
- Silver: Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Ortiz.
- Bronze: Honey Bee Handiworks, Trinity Guardion, Steriliz, Safety Net America, SporeGen.

This conference is supported through an educational grant from Sanofi Pasteur US.

Visit https://cdifffoundation.org for more information. Contact Angelo Ortiz for registration, exhibiting/sponsor opportunities, and media partnerships: angelo.ortiz@cdifffoundation.org or Mobile (919) 201-1512.

About The C Diff Foundation:

The C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established 2012, comprised of 100% volunteering professionals dedicated at supporting public health through education and advocating for C. difficile infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, environmental safety, and support worldwide. Listen to "C.diff. Spores and More" Tuesday's at 1 p.m. ET (www.cdiffradio.com), sponsored by Clorox Healthcare, providing leading up-to-date information on topics that are in align with their mission.

Follow C Diff Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Twitter @cdiffFoundation #Cdiff2018

The C Diff Foundation is honored to welcome 20+ leading topic experts joined by Dale Gerding, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Professor of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois and Research Physician at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Mark Wilcox, B Med Sci, BM, BS, MD, FRCPath-, Head of Microbiology and Academic Lead of Pathology at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTHT).

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/

Rocky Bleier to be Keynote Speaker at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Passing of the Leash Community Awareness Event

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, along with hosts Don and Tony Accamando and Jack Wagner, cordially invite the public to attend the Passing of the Leash. This heart-warming event showcases the incredible difference Service Dogs have made in the lives of their recipients and includes a plated lunch.

The Passing of the Leash will be held at Duquesne Union Ballroom, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Admission is $35 per person, and tickets can be purchased in advance online at https://medicalservicedogs.networkforgood.com/events/6751-passing-of-the-leash.

Full tables and sponsorships are available. Seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can find more information, and learn additional information about this emotional event at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/event/potl-pitt/

If you have questions regarding the event, please call Rachel at (352) 857-1032 or send her an e-mail at: redwing@medicalservicedogs.com for more information.

Reserve your tickets today.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) Based in Williston, Florida that raises, trains and then donates individually trained medical service dogs to veterans and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, mobility issues and much more. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program.

Over the past 8 years, Guardian Angels has paired more than 225 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need, and with your help, they can help even more.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, along with hosts Don and Tony Accamando and Jack Wagner, cordially invite the public to attend the Passing of the Leash. This heart-warming event showcases the incredible difference Service Dogs have made in the lives of their recipients and includes a plated lunch.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

South Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2018: Somos Unidos, Experience the rich culture of the South Bronx

BRONX, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education and Bronx Music Heritage Center are proud to present the South Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2018: Somos Unidos. This fun, family-friendly festival celebrates the rich cultural contributions of the communities that make the South Bronx their home. In partnership with community based organizations, city agencies and charities, multiple events will be held throughout the South Bronx from May 31 through June 23, 2018 uniting communities, arts, culture, and wellness while promoting civic engagement.

Events will showcase both traditional roots and fusion art forms including music, dance, visual art, crafts, puppetry, theater and culinary arts that reflect the artistic ecosystem of the Bronx. In unity there is strength. All events are rain or shine.

The South Bronx Culture Trail Festival (SBCT) is a community arts and education initiative established in 2011 by Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education and Dancing in the Streets that celebrates and captures key moments in the cultural life of the South Bronx. Each year a cohort of partners are invited to contribute to this ever evolving and robust history to visualize a Trail through the neighborhoods of the South Bronx.

This year we welcome to the Trail: BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance; Bronx Culture Collective; BronxWorks; Catholic Charities; The Consulate General of Mexico in New York; MAS Productions; the Mexican Cultural Institute; NYC Department of City Planning, Bronx Office; NYC Department of Health's Bronx Neighborhood Health Action Center; NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs; NYC Parks; New York Restoration Project; Partnership for Parks; Southern Boulevard BID; The POINT CDC; Third Avenue BID; and Urban Health Plan.

In addition to a cultural celebration, SBCT serves as an economic engine for the community through the hiring of local artists and the promotion of local businesses and tourism to the borough.

"Casita Maria is incredibly proud to lead the development of the South Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2018 in partnership with the Bronx Music Heritage Center, which celebrates the borough's rich and diverse culture with Latin jazz, bomba y plena, hip hop, and Garifuna music and so much more," says said Haydee Morales, Executive Director. "The Festival is a testament to the rich and plentiful talent in the Bronx, as well as an appreciation to the resilient community that continues to give birth to emerging cultural movements."

"The Bronx has an incredible legacy of art and music for its residents to be proud of and which we want to show off to everyone else. The South Bronx Culture Trail and all the participating organizations prove that the Bronx is indeed, RISING!" said Elena Martinez, Folklorist & Co-Artistic Director, Bronx Music Heritage Center.

Learn more at: https://www.casitamaria.org/.

About Casita Maria:

Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education is the first and oldest Latino 501(c)(3) charity in NYC, founded in 1934. The South Bronx-based community arts and educational organization presents diverse, contemporary visual and performing arts and education programming for all ages.

BRONX MUSIC HERITAGE CENTER (BMHC):
The BMBC was founded by the Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco). The BMHC is committed to preserving and promoting Bronx music, cultivating Bronx artists, spurring neighborhood revival and providing free cultural programs for the community. More information: https://www.thisisbronxmusic.org/.

SOUTH BRONX CULTURE TRAIL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Bill Aguado, Argenis Apolinario, Alex Aponte*, Arthur Aviles, BG183* (Tats Cru), Benny Bonilla*, Richie Bonilla, Americo Casiano*, Henry Collins, Alvan Colon Lespier, Robert Crespo*, Simon Dove, Jason Dunchin, Elizabeth Figueroa, Ricky Flores*, Adam Green, Elizabeth Hamby, Bethany Hogan, Rolando Infante, Yianna Justo, Michael Kamber, Melissa Libran, John MacElwee, Elena MartÃnez, Kerry McLean, James Melendez, Edwin Pagan, Kathi Pavlik, Danny Peralta, Hatuey Ramos-FermÃn, Anita Reyes, Marta Rivera, Jose Rodriguez, Rosalba Rolon, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Bobby Sanabria, Lisa A. Sorin and Grand Wizzard Theodore*.

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS:
Antonio Sergio Bessa, Nancy Biberman, Marcos A. Crespo, Ruben DÃaz, Sr., Jorge Popmaster Fabel,* Al QuiÃ±ones, Tina Ramirez*, Angel Rodriguez*, Robert Sancho*, Eric Soto and Dave Valentin*.

*Casita Maria Alumni.

The South Bronx Culture Trail is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.

Special thanks to Digital Bodega for filming and post production work and Sal Gigante for the the use of the St. Athanasius Church Courtyard.

Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education and Bronx Music Heritage Center are proud to present the South Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2018: Somos Unidos. This fun, family-friendly festival celebrates the rich cultural contributions of the communities that make the South Bronx their home. In partnership with community based organizations, city agencies and charities, multiple events will be held throughout the South Bronx from May 31 through June 23, 2018 uniting communities, arts, culture, and wellness while promoting civic engagement.

Related link: https://www.casitamaria.org/

2nd Annual Global C.diff. Walks in US and UK to Raise Awareness on Importance of Clostridium difficile Infections Worldwide

TEANECK, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Presented by the C Diff Foundation, the 2nd Annual Global C.diff. Awareness 2K Walks will take place on Saturday, May 19 at three separate locations: Morris A. Votee Park, Teaneck, New Jersey; Sims Park, New Port Richey, Florida; and in Leicester, England. All locations will include t-shirts and resourceful educational material for all registered walkers. The U.S. locations will also include water bottles and hydration stations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile) "has become the most common microbial cause of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and costs up to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs for acute care facilities alone." Statistics provided by the CDC suggest that C. difficile cause nearly 500,000 infections in patients in the U.S. annually. In one study noted by the CDC, among infected patients, nearly 29,000 died within 30 days of being diagnosed, and more than half of those deaths (15,000) were directly attributable to a C. difficile infection.

The Global C. diff. Walks will raise awareness of

Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) infection prevention and provide educational material while introducing the communities to the resources available. C.diff. infections are one of the leading health issues facing local communities.

"Every day the C Diff Foundation works to educate and advocate for C. difficile infection prevention, treatments, environmental safety and support worldwide to save lives. Our dedicated volunteering members are focused on improving the lives of individuals and families that are impacted by a C.diff. infection," says Nancy Caralla, Founding President of the C Diff Foundation.

We sincerely thank the following Sponsors for their continued support and for joining the C Diff Foundation in promoting
C. diff. Awareness worldwide:
Platinum: CutisPharma, Inc.
Gold: Pfizer and Xenex Disinfection Services.
Silver: Quellthera.

Event Details:
When: Saturday, May 19, 2018 - "rain or shine."

Registration and Check-in takes place at 8 a.m. Walk and Program begins at 9 a.m. at: Milton A. Votee Park, Queen Anne Rd & Court St, Teaneck, NJ 07666; Sims Park, 6341 Bank Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652; and being led by Dr. Martha Cloakie, PhD, a walk in the park in Leicester, England.

To register on-line: https://cdifffoundation.org/ or https://cdifffoundation.org/2nd-annual-global-walks-2018/

Walkers can register individually ($20 per person) or as a team ($20 for team leader) and teams can recruit sponsors.

All proceeds raised will support the program of the C Diff Foundation which provides villages to cities with C. difficile infection education, advocacy, and support worldwide.

For additional information about the walk, please email info@cdifffoundation.org or call the main office in U.S.: (919) 201-1512.

About the C Diff Foundation:

The C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established 2012, comprised of 100 percent volunteering professionals who are dedicated supporting public health through education and advocating for C. difficile infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, environmental safety, and support worldwide.

Follow C Diff Foundation on Twitter
@cdiffFoundation
#CdiffWalk2018

Media Contact:
Angelo Ortiz, Global Walk Committee
angelo.ortiz@cdifffoundation.org

Presented by the C Diff Foundation, the 2nd Annual Global C.diff. Awareness 2K Walks will take place on Saturday, May 19 at three separate locations: Morris A. Votee Park, Teaneck, New Jersey; Sims Park, New Port Richey, Florida; and in Leicester, England. All locations will include t-shirts and resourceful educational material for all registered walkers. The U.S. locations will also include water bottles and hydration stations.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/

Neotrope Nonprofit PR Grants for 2018 to Help Worthy Causes Market Charitable Efforts

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Neotrope, a brand marketing, PR, and entertainment media company, has launched its 2018 annual Nonprofit PR Grant program for 501(c)(3) charities and is now accepting applications. Average value of each in-kind donation service grant is $2,400 and will be offered to 10 U.S.-based non-profit organizations "doing good" on a national or regional level for 2018/19.

Launched in 2000, the PR Grant(TM) helps to raise awareness of selected charities to traditional media, to the public, as well as to potential "halo" sponsors and donors.

Starting in 2013, the PR Grant was re-named after the company co-founder, the late Dr. J.L. Simmons, PhD, who passed away in 2003. Now the Neotrope PR Grant program is known as the "J.L. Simmons Nonprofit PR Grant."

As part of this in-kind grant program, Neotrope is providing news dissemination through its Send2Press(R) Newswire service, and social media marketing for the selected applicant charities. This is a simpler version of the PR Grant in prior years where more extensive agency services were rolled in where needed. This version of the PR Grants allow for a charity to keep using any existing agency or volunteer as the services provided are incremental to any and all existing promotion efforts.

There is no fee to apply. Applications are being accepted through July 1, 2018. Complete grant information can be found on the PR Grants website: https://prgrants.com/.

"It's been a heartfelt pleasure to work with so many worthy causes over the past 35 years, and 18 years with our PR Grant program," says Neotrope CEO and co-founder Christopher Laird Simmons. "We've truly helped some great charities raise visibility, and in some cases grow donations and engagement with sponsors. It's always a big win for us to help those doing good do better at helping others."

Christopher Simmons is an award-winning graphic designer, author, artist, musician, technologist and entrepreneur who wrote his first successful press release in 1981, sold his first magazine article in 1984, and has been at the forefront of the crossing of technology, media and marketing. He brings his expertise to every client project.

About Neotrope:

Since 1983 Neotrope(R) has delivered services to raise organization awareness including brand identity, marketing, public relations (PR), and social media services. Based in Torrance, California, Neotrope is also an entertainment publishing company involved in books, music, software, sound design, video and more. The company has been at the forefront of new technologies including direct marketing, digital design, ecommerce, multimedia, SEO and e-marketing for 35 years.

Neotrope was an Inc. 5000 company in 2009, has a 20-year A+ rating with the BBB, and is a member of GS1. Learn more: https://Neotrope.com/ (new website coming Fall 2018).

About the Nonprofit PR Grant:

The Nonprofit PR Grant(TM) (aka "Non-Profit PR Grants") program was originally launched in 2000 to help assist U.S. 501(c)(3) worthy causes to raise awareness, attract halo sponsors, and better connect with donors and volunteers. Other firms have since copied the name, but ours is the original.

With this cause-related marketing grant program, Neotrope has been honored to help many worthy causes in past years, including: The C Diff Foundation, Children Awaiting Parents, Geek Club Books, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc., Move for Hunger, Special Equestrians, Starlight Children's Foundation, World Savvy and dozens more (full list available on PR Grants website; mention of PR Grant recipients does not imply endorsement by said organizations).

PR Grant recipients are selected by Neotrope / Send2Press staff based on qualified applications filled out and submitted by U.S. based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Choices for grant recipients are both subjective, and based on overall activities and actual need, as well as best fit for support from the marketing team. All applicants can also get 25% off on Send2Press press release distribution services immediately and without any other commitments.

Additional information regarding the Neotrope 2018 J.L. Simmons Nonprofit PR Grant program for U.S. charitable nonprofits and grant recipients can be found at: https://prgrants.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NonProfitPRGrants.

Twitter: @neotrope @prgrants #nonprofitgrant #PRgrants2018

Images for Media:
1) 300dpi image for media; PRGrants.com home page:
Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0330s2p-prgrant-2018-300dpi.jpg
2) Neotrope(R) logo:
Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0402s2p-neotrope-bw-wide-300dpi.jpg

Neotrope is a registered trademark in the U.S. and Europe. Send2Press is a U.S. reg. TM. Nonprofit PR Grant and PR Grants are service marks of Neotrope.

Neotrope, a brand marketing, PR, and entertainment media company, has launched its 2018 annual Nonprofit PR Grant program for 501(c)(3) charities and is now accepting applications. Average value of each in-kind donation service grant is $2,400 and will be offered to 10 U.S.-based non-profit organizations "doing good" on a national or regional level for 2018/19.

Related link: https://neotrope.com

7th Annual ‘A Good Ol’ Fashioned Hoedown’ Presented by The Right Step, Inc.

LITTLETON, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Right Step, Inc., a Colorado non-profit, is thrilled to announce the 7th Annual "Good Ol' Fashioned Hoedown." Since 2008, The Right Step has served over 300 clients and families with physical, emotional, behavioral abilities and disabilities ranging from autism to traumatic brain injury. The Right Step has over 1,500 volunteers since 2013 and currently operates with over 200 volunteers. Last year's Hoedown attracted over 200 people and earned over $13,000.

Join The Right Step in celebrating 10 years with a Saturday afternoon full of fun in horse country, without ever leaving town. Event includes a craft fair, face painting, therapeutic riding demonstrations, silent auction and horse painting! Musical guest Chris Dismuke will perform live music throughout the day.

The event will be held: Saturday, May 19, 2018, 12 - 5 p.m. at Coventry Farms, 7990 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120.

Special performance from McTeggart Irish Dancers and appearances by Douglas County Rodeo Queens. Special guest Angela Lenhardt, author of "Trigger the Wonder Horse" will be doing a book signing.

Pig roast, burger and hot dogs (with all the fixings) provided by Harvest Meat Company. A special treat this year will be Little Man Ice Cream truck donating their time and the most delicious ice cream in Denver.

Most importantly, with every ticket purchased, guests help to improve the lives of more people through the healing power of horses.

Early-bird tickets are $30 for adults; $15 for kids (ages 3-12). Same-day tickets are $40 for adults; $20 for kids (ages 3-12). Ticket prices include all food, drink and activities.

Tickets are available online at: https://www.therightstepinc.org/.

Mark your calendars and purchase tickets today.

To learn more and for sponsorship information contact Christine at boardchair@therightstepinc.org

Discover the healing power of horses!

The Right Step, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

The Right Step, Inc., a Colorado non-profit, is thrilled to announce the 7th Annual "Good Ol' Fashioned Hoedown." Since 2008, The Right Step has served over 300 clients and families with physical, emotional, behavioral abilities and disabilities ranging from autism to traumatic brain injury. The Right Step has over 1,500 volunteers since 2013 and currently operates with over 200 volunteers. Last year's Hoedown attracted over 200 people and earned over $13,000.

Related link: https://www.therightstepinc.org/

Lion’s Heart Appoints New Executive Director

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Lion's Heart announced today that its Board of Directors has named Becca Tankersley as the organization's next Executive Director effective June 11, 2018. She will work in partnership with the Lion's Heart Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community partners to lead the organization forward in creating innovative paths for teens to connect with local volunteer opportunities.

Tankersley has a B.A. in Organizational Dynamics from Wilmington University as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. She joined the Lion's Heart staff in 2017 as the Program Director and currently serves on the OneOC Nonprofit Advisory Board. Furthermore, she has been a passionate leader in the nonprofit world for over 13 years.

After serving a rewarding term as a Corps Member of AmeriCorps' City Year Program, Tankersley knew she wanted to dedicate her life to service. Subsequently, she went on to successfully provide strategic oversight as a Community Development Manager for the American Cancer Society, Lead Recruitment Specialist for Girl Scouts of Orange County, and Founder/Chair of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Orange County. Her extended experience in developing youth programs (including the upcoming Lion's Heart Teen Leadership Quest), coaching community groups, and managing nonprofit business has her poised and ready to propel this growing movement for teens.

Tankersley succeeds Terry Corwin, who retires as Executive Director this summer. Corwin is the original visionary and founder of Lion's Heart, having created the organization out of her Orange County, CA home in 2004 with a small but eager group of 20 teenage members. Under her enthusiastic leadership, Lion's Heart has grown rapidly and connected over 10,000 teens nationwide with local volunteer opportunities through its digital portfolio and mobile app.

These empowered teen members have contributed nearly 1 million service hours to a wide variety of causes important to them--thus enriching their local communities, peer relationships, and personal resolve.

Corwin will remain active with Lion's Heart by serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

"Here at Lion's Heart we all share a passion for helping others and building strong communities," says Corwin. "We take pride in supporting our teens as they set leadership goals and find the power within themselves to influence positive change. I am extremely proud of the work we have accomplished together at Lion's Heart and could not be more excited to see what the future holds as our Members grow into passionate, socially-conscious citizens. With Becca now at the helm, there is nothing we cannot accomplish."

About Lion's Heart:

We are Lion's Heart: teens dedicated to positive social impact. We are a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides 5th-12th grade students with local service opportunities that help them build a strong community service portfolio. Teens can track hours, earn leadership awards, and export their service portfolio to use on scholarship, college, and career applications. We are over 10,000 Members strong with new chapters forming every day across the United States!

To form a chapter in your neighborhood, become a Member, request volunteers for your cause, or become a corporate partner, visit: https://lionsheartservice.org/.

Lion's Heart, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, announced today that its Board of Directors has named Becca Tankersley as the organization's next Executive Director effective June 11, 2018. She will work in partnership with the Lion's Heart Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community partners to lead the organization forward in creating innovative paths for teens to connect with local volunteer opportunities.

Related link: https://lionsheartservice.org/

Move For Hunger to Hold Food Drives at 9 Kroger Stores in Michigan on April 28

ANN ARBOR, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Move For Hunger announced today that it will be holding "Fill-A-Truck" Food Drives at nine Kroger stores in Michigan on April 28 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Employees from one of four Michigan moving companies - All Around Moving (Romulus), Palmer Moving Services (Warren), Stevens Van Lines (Saginaw), and University Moving & Storage (Farmington Hills) - will be on-site at each location to encourage Kroger shoppers to donate enough non-perishable food to fill an entire moving truck.

Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan, including 1 in 6 children, are food insecure. Meanwhile, 40-percent of all the food produced in the United States each year is wasted. Each of the participating moving companies are members of Move For Hunger's nationwide network of relocation professionals. In addition to assisting with local food drives, members of the Move For Hunger network provide their customers with the opportunity to donate unopened, non-perishable food during the moving process and delivers it to a food bank, free of charge.

"We are so excited to be partnered with Move For Hunger with our upcoming food drives to support our Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative," said Rachel Hurst, Corporate Affairs Manager for The Kroger Co. of Michigan. "We are committed to donating more meals each and every day in the communities we live and serve."

The participating Kroger locations and the moving company that will be assisting with each event are as follows:
* Ann Arbor (400 S. Maple Road) | University Moving & Storage
* Clarkston (5990 Sashbaw Road) | University Moving & Storage
* Plymouth (44525 Ann Arbor Road) | University Moving & Storage
* Roseville (20891 East 13 Mile Road) | Palmer Moving Services
* Royal Oak (2200 12 Mile Road) | Palmer Moving Services
* Saginaw (4762 State Street) | Stevens Worldwide
* Shelby Township (14945 23 Mile Road) | Palmer Moving Services
* Southgate (16705 Fort Street) | All Around Moving
* White Lake Twp. (10951 Highland Road) | Stevens Worldwide.

About Move For Hunger:

Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that mobilizes the relocation industry to fight hunger and reduce food waste. In addition to collecting food from people who are moving to new homes, Move For Hunger helps companies and individuals across the United States and Canada organize successful food drives. To date, they have collected more than 10 million pounds of food. For more information, or to find out how you can host your own food drive, visit http://www.moveforhunger.org/.

About The Kroger Co. of Michigan:

Incorporated in Michigan in 1909 and headquartered in Novi, The Kroger Co. of Michigan operates 123 Kroger stores, 75 fuel centers, 104 pharmacies and the Michigan Dairy. Michigan Kroger's 19,000 associates are dedicated to the Kroger Purpose: to FEED the Human Spirit, by serving the region through food, inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.

Twitter: @MoveForHunger @KrogerNews #ZeroHungerZeroWaste #MichiganFoodDrive #FillATruck

Move For Hunger announced today that it will be holding "Fill-A-Truck" Food Drives at nine Kroger stores in Michigan on April 28, 2018. Employees from one of four Michigan moving companies - All Around Moving (Romulus), Palmer Moving Services (Warren), Stevens Van Lines (Saginaw), and University Moving & Storage (Farmington Hills) - will be on-site at each location to encourage shoppers to donate enough non-perishable food to fill an entire moving truck.

Related link: https://moveforhunger.org/

Ballin’ 4 Peace Celebrity Charity Basketball Tournament Founded by Former Pro Ball Player H2O, Returns to Queens, NY April 21

QUEENS, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- H2O Basketball announces the BALLIN' 4 PEACE CELEBRITY CHARITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Founded by Queens native and Former Division 1, International Pro Basketball Player, Haron "H2O" Hargrave; returns to ELMCOR YOUTH & ADULT ACTIVITIES CENTER in Corona, Queens, N.Y., this Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Now in its 4th year, BALLIN' 4 PEACE - the Charity Event Division of Hargrave's H2O Basketball AAU Training League - hasn't lost its steam; Saturday's festivities promise to be just as action-packed as in years prior.

The recreational agenda includes a free Youth Clinic hosted by New York's Junior Knicks, followed by a Youth Game and Performances headlined by Amera J, a young Artist managed by Grammy Winning Producer Jerry Wonda's music label.

The main event, Celebrity Game, Dunk Contest, and Performances, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.; will feature an array of New York sensations and socialites including 2 Milly known for his smash hit "Milly Rock," along with Basketball's fresh Commentator Filayyyy, Power 105. 1 Engineer & Host of The Sitdown - EmEz, Pastor Carl Lentz, Shade 45 10.5 Countdown, Host Gray Rizzy, Instagram's hilarious Mr. Commodore, Love & Hip Hop's Kiyanne, Rap lyricist Grafh, Sean John Ambassador / Artist Jaquae and many, many more.

BALLIN' 4 PEACE will remain true to tradition, by honoring Mr. Charles Coleman of B.A.C.E Sports Management with a Proclamation from the city for his contributions as a Coach and Mentor to young athletes such as Haron Hargrave.

Sponsoring partners include Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Essentia Water, Junior Knicks, PEAK USA SPORTS, Silky Socks, Wooter Apparel, Nuts.com, Real Fans Real Talk and Urban Geekz NYC.

Tickets for BALLIN' 4 PEACE 2018 can be purchased at http://ballin4peace.eventbrite.com/.

Learn more about BALLIN' 4 PEACE, founded by Haron 'H2O' Hargrave at: http://www.haronhargrave.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ballin4Peace3/

Editorial Note: be aware the 'O' in H2O is a 'O' - not a '0' (zero).

H2O Basketball announces the BALLIN' 4 PEACE CELEBRITY CHARITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Founded by Queens native and Former Division 1, International Pro Basketball Player, Haron "H2O" Hargrave; returns to ELMCOR YOUTH & ADULT ACTIVITIES CENTER in Corona, Queens, N.Y., this Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Related link: http://www.haronhargrave.com/

Dallas Moving Company Honored for Fighting Childhood Hunger by National Non-Profit Move For Hunger

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Move For Hunger today announced that Imlach & Collins Brothers, an Atlas Van Lines agent, has been named its "Mover of the Year." In 2017, Imlach & Collins Brothers delivered more than 100,000 lbs. of food to the North Texas Food Bank - which is enough to provide 85,500 meals. The award was presented at the American Moving & Storage Association's 2018 Education Conference and Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Move For Hunger is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that mobilizes the relocation industry to fight hunger and reduce food waste.

People tend to throw a lot of "stuff" away when they move, including perfectly good food. As part of Move For Hunger's national network of relocation professionals, Imlach & Collins Brothers provides their customers with the opportunity to donate unopened, non-perishable food during the moving process and volunteers to deliver the donations to the local food bank, free of charge.

Imlach & Collins Brothers' partnership with Move For Hunger also led to their participation in the North Texas Food Bank's Food 4 Kids program. Students who receive free or reduced-cost meals at school often face hunger during the weekend. Food 4 Kids provides at-risk children with backpacks full of nutritious, non-perishable food to take home on Fridays during the school year. Once a month, Imlach & Collins Brothers sends a truck and two crew members to pick up and deliver the backpacks to three different school districts in the Dallas area.

"Every month, Imlach & Collins Brothers is delivering more than 10,000 pounds of food to hungry children in Dallas," said Adam Lowy, Executive Director of Move For Hunger. "Without their assistance, the backpacks wouldn't reach those school districts. We are so proud of the work Imlach & Collins Brothers is doing."

"We are so proud to be associated with Move For Hunger and to help support this great cause," said Gregg Imlach, CEO of Imlach & Collins Brothers. "It brings a sense of energy and fulfillment to our staff to know that we are making a difference in so many lives."

More than 42 million Americans, including 1 in 6 children, are food insecure - they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Meanwhile, 40 percent of all the food produced in the U.S. each year ends up in a landfill or is left to rot in a field. Imlach & Collins Brothers recognized the tragedy of so much food going to waste when so many people don't have enough to eat, and joined Move For Hunger in 2012 to help provide meals to their neighbors in need.

There are more than 850 moving companies in the Move For Hunger network, but Imlach and Collins Brothers is one of just two that have delivered more than 400,000 meals.

Move For Hunger mobilizes the relocation industry to fight hunger and reduce food waste. In addition to collecting food from people who are moving to new homes, Move For Hunger helps companies and individuals across the United States and Canada organize successful food drives. To date, they have collected more than 10 million pounds of food. For more information, or to find out how you can host your own food drive, visit http://www.moveforhunger.org/.

Headquartered in Dallas, Imlach & Collins Brothers, LLC offers elite moving services, including corporate relocation, government and industrial relocation to specialized transportation and personal moving services. Imlach & Collins Brothers, LLC has served as an Atlas Van Lines agent since 1951 and operates as one of its largest hauling providers. For more information, visit https://imlachcollins.com/.

Atlas Van Lines, a national moving company, is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, an Evansville, Ind.-based company. Atlas World Group companies employ nearly 700 people throughout North America. Nearly 500 Atlas interstate moving agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate relocation, household moving services and in the specialized transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art, store fixtures and furniture. For more information, visit https://www.atlasvanlines.com/.

The American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), home of the ProMover certification program, is the national trade association representing the nation's moving and storage companies, which provide household goods moving services, specialized transportation for sensitive freight such as computers and trade show exhibits, and warehouse storage services. AMSA has approximately 4,000 members, including domestic and international companies and industry suppliers, and supports programs and activities that promote consumer protection, professional development, safety, and operational efficiency. Find out more at https://www.moving.org/ and https://www.moving.org/.

Twitter: @moveforhunger @imlachcollins @Atlas_Van_Lines @AMSAProMover #MoveroftheYear

Move For Hunger today announced that Imlach & Collins Brothers, an Atlas Van Lines agent, has been named its "Mover of the Year." In 2017, Imlach & Collins Brothers delivered more than 100,000 lbs. of food to the North Texas Food Bank - which is enough to provide 85,500 meals. The award was presented at the American Moving & Storage Association's 2018 Education Conference and Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Related link: https://moveforhunger.org/

Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘PIRATES’ dock in Long Beach May 11-20

LONG BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Children's Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB), Art in Relation (AIR) and the Scottish Rite Event Center present a historic, hilarious family friendly farce featuring silly pirates, bumbling policemen, and nervous naive young lovers - Gilbert & Sullivan's rollicking musical masterpiece, "The Pirates of Penzance," comes alive at the beautiful Ernest Borgnine Theatre at the Scottish Rite Event Center of Long Beach May 11 - May 20, 2018.

"The Pirates of Penzance" is directed by Jennifer Hammond, with musical direction by Jonas Sills and choreography by Cameron Shim. This trio have added their unique brand of silliness and satire to this classic, gathering a cast of 35 to tell the tale.

This marks the second time this talented crew has teamed up to bring Long beach family friendly theatre! Just last December they produced the popular "Christmas Carol"! Both companies founded in 2013, CTLB AND AIR found themselves on similar trajectories, producing musical theatre at the historic Ernest Borgnine theater in Long Beach, Calif.

Artists, producers and long-time friends, Jonas Sills (AIR) and Sean McMullen (CTLB) were reunited to produce this project, with the support of Tim Cable, manager of the historic Borgnine theatre.

"I am proud to be part of a partnership that is truly bringing excellent family friendly entertainment to Long Beach," said Tim Cable. "It is my goal to bring Long Beach to the Borgnine (theatre) and put it on the map!"

Jennifer Hammond, the Director, sums up the plot: "Young Frederic leaves his apprenticeship to the Pirate King and meets and falls in love with the beautiful, yet whacky Mabel. You see, usually Mabel is usually played as an overly dramatic leading lady, but our Mabel is a cross between Lucille Ball and Sarah Jessica Parker a collision of glamour and comedy." Hammond continued, "So, it followed that we should take a look at all our other leads and see them differently as well. Of course, madcap antics ensue and a very 'happily ever after' conclusion is in store for you."

Since the 1870's "The Pirates of Penzance" has been a favorite of musical theatre and light opera fans alike. Joseph Pap's irreverent hit production in 1980 transferred from Central Park and ran years on Broadway receiving five Drama Desk Awards and three Tony Awards. It then travelled to London for a run of 601 performances and in 1983 was turned into a movie that inspired thousands of productions ever since.

Parodies of "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General," the most famous G&S tongue-twisting fast-paced patter-song, have found their way into numerous movies and TV shows such as "Despicable Me 3" (the Minions song), "The Muppet Show," "The Simpsons," and many others.

Sean McMullen, President of CTLB and designer for this production, works in set design, costume design and is currently on faculty at the Orange County School for the Arts. McMullen, recipient of the Long Beach Hero Award, has a MFA in Theatre from CAL ARTS. The creation of CTLB, now in its fourth year, has been his lifelong dream.

McMullen explains, "This is our second Mainstage production in collaboration with Art in Relation and The Scottish Rite Event Center at the amazingly beautiful Ernest Borgnine Theatre. We are humbled and feel blessed to be part of this incredible collaboration!"

Jonas Sills, tenor, conductor and teacher who worked for 15 years as a public school music teacher for the Long Beach Unified School District at virtually every level with a focus on primary and middle school chorus. Sills has directed church choirs for the Unitarian and Methodist Churches and is the founder and artistic director for the Los Angeles Musical Theater Youth Chorus. In recent years he has been drawn to create his own art with his own production company, "Art-In-Relation," producing fully staged and professional productions in Long Beach and Los Angeles.

"It is a joy to work with such talented performers who have the generosity of spirit to bring light opera to kids in such a hilarious way and still sing like pros! Not to mention the 10 piece orchestra comprised of professional and student musicians and getting to perform at this historic gem in the heart of Downtown Long Beach," says Sills.

Children's Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB) is a dynamic theatre company serving the Long Beach Community and its families with school age children. CTLB strives to teach, inspire and create experiences that will leave a lasting impression on our young actors and it is our hope that those experiences will inspire them in all aspects of their lives well beyond the stage.

Art-In-Relation (AIR) is the brainchild of Co-Producers Jonas and Heidi Sills. Mentored by Producer Emeritus and co-founder Ray Buffer, AIR takes its acronym name as a nod to the Hindu deity, Vayu who was known to give life through breath. With new co-producer Jon Peterson AIR hopes to breathe new life into musical theatre productions, concert music, choral presentations, plays as well as creating opportunities to experience healing arts. Their goal is to house all of these ideas under one roof.

Scottish Rite Event Center (SREC) The beautiful Long Beach Scottish Rite Event Center was built in 1926 and designated Historical Landmark #8 by the City of Long Beach. The Center is located only minutes from beaches, airports, the Queen Mary and the civic center. They boast a beautiful 800 seat auditorium and numerous gathering rooms, large and small, ideally suited for theatrical performances, weddings, business social meetings.

SUMMARY:
What: "The Pirates of Penzance"
When: May 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20.
Where: Ernest Borgnine Theatre at 855 Elm Street, Long Beach, CA
Times:
- 2 p.m. Matinees Saturday and Sunday
- 7 p.m. Evenings Friday and Saturday
Single Tickets: $25 General and $15 children under 12
Box Office: (323) 320-2898.

Learn more at:
http://www.artinrelation.org
http://www.childrenstheatreoflongbeach.org
http://www.lbscottishrite.org

Learn more about the Ernest Borgnine Theatre at:
http://www.ernestborgninetheatre.org/

The Children's Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB), Art in Relation (AIR) and the Scottish Rite Event Center present a historic, hilarious family friendly farce featuring silly pirates, bumbling policemen, and nervous naive young lovers - Gilbert & Sullivan's rollicking musical masterpiece, "The Pirates of Penzance," comes alive at the beautiful Ernest Borgnine Theatre at the Scottish Rite Event Center of Long Beach May 11 - May 20, 2018.

Related link: http://www.artinrelation.com/

Neotrope and Send2Press Announce 18th Annual NonProfit PR Grants to Help Worthy Causes Raise Awareness

TORRANCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Neotrope, a brand marketing, PR, and entertainment media company, today announced the launch of its 2018 annual Non-Profit PR Grants program for 501(c)(3) charities. Launched in 2000, the PR Grant(TM) helps to raise awareness of selected charities to traditional media, to the public, as well as to potential "halo" sponsors and donors.

Average value of each grant is $2,400 and will be offered to 10 U.S.-based non-profit organizations "doing good" on a national or regional level for 2018.

Starting in 2013, the PR Grant was re-named after the company co-founder, the late Dr. J.L. Simmons, PhD, who passed away in 2003. Now the Neotrope PR Grant program is known as the "J.L. Simmons Non-Profit PR Grant."

As part of this in-kind grant program, Neotrope is providing news dissemination through its Send2Press(R) Newswire service, and social media marketing for the selected applicant charities.

"We are very proud to have helped so many worthy causes raise awareness with this program the past 17 years," says Christopher Laird Simmons, member PRSA and ASCAP, and Neotrope CEO. "When my late father and I first launched the PR Grants in 2000 we felt we could help out an organization or two with our services and expertise, over writing a tiny check that wouldn't pay for a month of coffee and muffins."

There is no fee to apply. Applications are being accepted through July 1, 2018. Complete grant information can be found on the PR Grants website: https://prgrants.com/.

About Neotrope:
Since 1983 Neotrope(R) has delivered services to raise organization awareness including brand identity, marketing, public relations (PR), and social media services. Based in California, Neotrope is also an entertainment publishing company involved in books, music, software, sound design, video and more. The company has been at the forefront of many communication and technology movements for over three decades. Neotrope was an Inc. 5000 company in 2009, has an A+ rating with the BBB, and is a member of GS1. Learn more: https://Neotrope.com/.

About the Non-Profit PR Grant:
The Non-Profit PR Grant(TM) program was originally launched in 2000 to help assist U.S. 501(c)(3) worthy causes to raise awareness, attract halo sponsors, and better connect with donors and volunteers. Other PR industry firms have since copied the name, but ours is the original.

With this cause-related marketing grant program, Neotrope has been honored to help many worthy causes in past years, including: The C Diff Foundation, Children Awaiting Parents, Geek Club Books, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc., Move for Hunger, Special Equestrians, Starlight Children's Foundation, World Savvy and dozens more (full list available on grants website).

PR Grant recipients are selected by Neotrope / Send2Press staff based on qualified applications filled out and submitted by U.S. based non-profit organizations. Choices for grant recipients are both subjective, and based on overall activities and actual need, as well as best fit for support from the marketing team.

Additional information regarding the Neotrope 2018 J.L. Simmons Non-Profit PR Grant program for U.S. charitable non-profits and grant recipients can be found at: https://prgrants.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NonProfitPRGrants.

Twitter: @neotrope @prgrants #prgrant #PRgrants2018

Images for Media:
1) 300dpi image for media; PRGrants.com home page:
Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0330s2p-prgrant-2018-300dpi.jpg
2) Neotrope(R) logo:
Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0402s2p-neotrope-bw-wide-300dpi.jpg

Neotrope is a registered trademark in the U.S. and Europe. Send2Press is a U.S. reg. TM. Non-Profit PR Grant and PR Grants are service marks of Neotrope.

Neotrope, a brand marketing, PR, and entertainment media company, today announced the launch of its 2018 annual Non-Profit PR Grants program for 501(c)(3) charities. Launched in 2000, the PR Grant(TM) helps to raise awareness of selected charities to traditional media, to the public, as well as to potential "halo" sponsors and donors.

Related link: https://neotrope.com

Northern Guilford High School Student receives a full ride to Northeastern University as a Torch Scholar

MARIETTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced today that one of its College Planning Cohort students, Otis Burns, who attends Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, has received news that he has been selected as a Northeastern University Torch Scholar. The Torch Scholarship covers tuition, room, board, books, and fees to Northeastern University, valued at $260,000 over 4 years.

Otis, a participant in the Guilford County Schools First Generation College Planning Cohort Program was nominated by the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity CEO/Founder, Mychal Wynn. Mr. Wynn and his wife, Nina, developed their College Planning Cohort Program in 2014 through a partnership between the foundation and their church, Turner Chapel AME Church, where they also serve as the Education Ministry Leaders.

The Guilford County Schools First Generation College Planning Cohort Program, under the supervision of Mrs. Evelyn Hobbs, of the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, is now in its second year. The program has assisted over 100 students, most of whom are first generation, from throughout Guilford County Schools in developing comprehensive college-bound plans to expand college access and successfully navigate college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. Participating students have been offered admission to such top colleges as Amherst, Bates, Williams, Swarthmore, George Mason, UNC - Chapel Hill, Davidson, Wake Forest, Duke, and Johns Hopkins.

Burns, who serves on the Greensboro Youth Council is a member of the National Honor Society, Second Chair of the Guilford County Honors Orchestra, President of the Christian Athletes Association, and Senior Class President was selected as one of 50 students, from over 500 nominees, to be invited to the Northeastern University Torch Scholars Interview Weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Wynn prepared Burns for the interview and reassured him to be himself. Burns and his dad navigated a new set of obstacles as their connecting flight from Washington, DC to Boston was cancelled. Forced to rent a car, they drove all night to arrive just in time for Burns to change clothes and participate in the Interview Day.

Burns notes, "I never imagined that something like this would be possible. I never imagined that I could be offered admission to a school like Northeastern. Prior to joining the Cohort, I had resolved to attend school in North Carolina and to take out student loans. To become a 'Torch Scholar' and have a full scholarship is surreal. I am so grateful to Guilford County Schools and the College Planning Cohort Program. Without the program, support of my parents, and guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Wynn, this would not have been possible." Burns plans to major in political science and global affairs, with aspirations of entering into public service.

Nearly 200 students in grades 9 - 12 are currently participating in the foundation's College Planning Cohort Program, operating in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

Mr. Wynn notes, "We are so proud of our 2017 cohort students, many of whom will be the first in their family to attend college. They have worked hard researching colleges, applying for scholarships, and writing essays. They are deserving of the many college and scholarship opportunities they are receiving. For many of our students, their parents have attended every meeting and worked side-by-side to open up these opportunities for their family."

The foundation will be offering College Planning Boot Camps this summer for rising 9th graders and for rising high school seniors.

Websites: http://www.accessandequity.org/ and http://collegeplanningcohort.com/

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0327s2p-Burns-and-Wynn-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Pictured in the photo is Mr. Wynn (R), Otis' nominator, and Otis Burns (L), a senior at Northern Guilford High School, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced today that one of its College Planning Cohort students, Otis Burns, who attends Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, has received news that he has been selected as a Northeastern University Torch Scholar. The Torch Scholarship covers tuition, room, board, books, and fees to Northeastern University, valued at $260,000 over 4 years.

Related link: http://www.accessandequity.org/

Jallo Oil Distributors’ President is Major Benefactor for Soon to Be Released Documentary on Christian Persecution

TAMPA, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Patrick Carberry, founder Joshuacord.org, has teamed up with In Altum Productions, film director Jordan Allott, and Paul Jallo, president, Jallo Oil Distributors' to produce a much-needed documentary that addresses the plight of Christian persecution in the Middle East and Africa.

Joshuacord.org is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization developed to help people persecuted for their Christian faith.

"I started Joshuacord six years ago with a yearly 5K run in Tampa to bring awareness to the ongoing plight of persecuted Christians," says Carberry. "'Christians in the Mirror,' a soon-to-be-released documentary, is just one more way to communicate our mission. Edmund Burke, an Irish statesman once said, 'Evil prevails when good men do nothing,' so we're taking those words to heart and trying to help however we can."

"Christians in the Mirror" is scheduled to be released this summer. Their goal is to reach more than 350,000 churches throughout the United States and it's the hope of the documentary's producers and directors that these churches will share it with people who will share it with people and so on and so on.

A Go Fund Me campaign has also been launched to help with the video's distribution.

Paul first met Patrick about one year ago and the two hit it off instantly.

"We really connected. We both have the goal of making a difference to raise awareness about Christians being persecuted for their faith," Jallo says.

Having been born and raised in the Middle East, Jallo knows first-hand how people who are Jesus followers are treated.

"When I met Patrick and learned about his organization and film project, I was quick to get involved. The film shows real stories of Christian persecution and we can make a difference in this struggle that kills Christians for their faith. God has given me more than I deserve and I want to pay it forward," Jallo says.

It's the hope of the film's executive team that "Christians in the Mirror" will activate Christians across America to stand united to help those under persecution for their faith.

"Paul is a good man with a kind heart who is concerned about justice and religious freedom. He understands that the documentary is about God-given human rights and religious freedom," Carberry says.

"Christians in the Mirror" includes interviews with religious leaders and persecuted Christians in Syria, India, Iraq, South Sudan and Egypt. Ultimately, it's a wakeup call for people to help.

"We want our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East and Africa to know that they're not alone and to encourage all who believe in human rights, religious freedom and freedom of conscience to step up and speak out," Jallo says.

Watch the documentary trailer here: https://vimeo.com/243393463

GoFundMe Page for "Christians in the Mirror" - https://www.gofundme.com/8addb-christians-in-the-mirror-film

Joshuacord: https://www.joshuacord.org/

Christians in the Mirror official site: http://christiansinthemirror.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuacord1.9

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshua_cord

Jallo Oil: https://www.facebook.com/jallooildist/

In Altum Productions: http://www.inaltumproductions.com/

Patrick Carberry, founder Joshuacord, Inc., has teamed up with In Altum Productions, film director Jordan Allott, and Paul Jallo, president, Jallo Oil Distributors, to produce a much-needed documentary that addresses the plight of Christian persecution in the Middle East and Africa. Joshuacord is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization developed to help people persecuted for their Christian faith.

Related link: https://www.joshuacord.org/

Lake City High School Student receives a full ride to Northeastern University as a Torch Scholar

MARIETTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced today that one of its College Planning Cohort students, Damian Lee, who attends Lake City High School in Lake City, South Carolina, has received news that he has been selected as a Northeastern University Torch Scholar. The Torch Scholarship covers tuition, room, board, books, and fees to Northeastern University, valued at $260,000 over 4 years.

Lee, a participant in the Florence County School District 3 College Planning Cohort Program was nominated by the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity CEO/Founder, Mychal Wynn. Mr. Wynn and his wife, Nina, developed their College Planning Cohort Program in 2014 through a partnership between the foundation and their church, Turner Chapel AME Church, where they also serve as the Education Ministry Leaders.

The Florence County School District 3 College Planning Cohort Program, under the supervision of Ms. Yvonne Scott, Director of College, Career & Student Outreach Services, is now in its fourth year. The program has assisted over 200 students, of which the majority are first generation students, in developing comprehensive college-bound plans to expand college access and successfully navigate college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. The program has produced 2 Gates Millennium Scholars, a QuestBridge Finalist, and a UMBC Meyerhoff Scholar. Lee, a first generation college student, grew up in a single-parent household of nine siblings after his father's tragic murder when he was two years old.

Wynn notes, "Damian has overcome tremendous obstacles, and has maximized all available opportunities to demonstrate leadership, serve his school and community, and take college classes through the dual enrollment program. Damian's life story, grit, and personal resilience made it easy for me to write the nomination for the $25,000 Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship (which Lee has already received) and for the Northeastern Torch Scholars Program."

Lee, who was an Executive Officer in the ROTC, President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, President of the Lake City High School Ensemble, President of the Lake City High School Gospel Choir, Vice-President of the Student Government Association, and Vice-President of the National Honor Society, was selected as one of 50 students, from over 500 nominees, to be invited to the Northeastern University Torch Scholars Interview Weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Wynn prepared Lee for the interview and reassured him to be himself. Lee, who will be entering college to major in political science, with aspirations of attending law school, has also been offered admission to a number of colleges and universities, including Bates College and George Washington University. However, Lee is on his way to Boston!

Lee notes, "This is an amazing opportunity. Ever since Mr. Wynn nominated me I have been praying that I would be selected. The opportunity to attend college and not have any student loan debt, at such a prestigious University as Northeastern is more than I ever could have imagined. I cannot say enough about Mr. and Mrs. Wynn. I do not know how I could have gotten through this process without Mrs. Wynn, who has guided me step-by-step. We have had phone calls or exchanged text messages almost every day throughout my senior year of high school. She is always there to offer words of encouragement. I am so glad that they are working with our school district. Ms. Scott, the Director of College, Career, and Student Outreach Services, and my guidance counselor, Ms. Singletary, as well as the entire Lake City community have done so much to help me that I can never repay their kindness, encouragement, support, and prayers. This is amazing. If this is a dream, I hope that I never wake up!"

In recognition of his leadership and service to his community, Damian was presented with a Key to the City by Lake City, South Carolina by Mayor, Lovith Anderson. He now can add the honor of 'Torch Scholar,' to his impressive list of accomplishments.

Nearly 200 students in grades 9 - 12 are currently participating in the foundation's College Planning Cohort Program, operating in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. Mr. Wynn notes, "We are so proud of our 2017 cohort students, many of whom will be the first in their family to attend college. They have worked hard researching colleges, applying for scholarships, and writing essays. They are deserving of the many college and scholarship opportunities they are receiving. For many of our students, their parents have attended every meeting and worked side-by-side to open up these opportunities for their family." The foundation will be offering College Planning Boot Camps this summer for rising 9th graders and for rising high school seniors.

Websites: http://www.accessandequity.org/ and http://collegeplanningcohort.com/

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0327s2p-wynn-and-lee-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Mr. Mychal Wynn with his nominee, Damian Lee.

The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced today that one of its College Planning Cohort students, Damian Lee, who attends Lake City High School in Lake City, South Carolina, has received news that he has been selected as a Northeastern University Torch Scholar. The Torch Scholarship covers tuition, room, board, books, and fees to Northeastern University, valued at $260,000 over 4 years.

Related link: http://www.accessandequity.org/

Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education produces the 1st Annual Young Artist Showcase ‘There’s No Place Like Home’

BRONX, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education is proud to present "There's No Place Like Home," the 1st annual Young Artist Showcase celebrating the greatness and self-expression found within all Casita Maria program participants. This multi-disciplinary exhibition will include over 200 artworks created during the 2017-2018 after school-year.

Enjoy video documentation of performances by Casita's Young Violinists, Musical Theater Makers and Choir plus Poetry Is Not A Luxury Teen Open Mic. Artwork explores self-expression, youth identity, culture, social justice, and activism.

Youth voice is a principle that Casita Maria embraces and practices, therefore program participants were invited to select the title for this year's showcase along with the artwork for the exhibition postcard. The young artists love that it has a direct connection to this year's youth musical based on the "Wizard of Oz"!

"This exhibition is a community celebration of youth voice and youth choice," said Gail Heidel, Associate Director of Creative Arts Programs.

According to a Casita Maria Parent: "Casita Maria ... teaches our kids values, about art, about music, about drawing...these activities keep kids away from trouble and teach them to know how much more they can do through art and music - they can speak out through painting, they can find a voice through writing poems, they can express themselves through art ... I feel safe when [my child is] here. [When] I am at work I know she's in good hands. For my daughter to be able to express her whole self through drawing, through writing, through poems and now with the piano it's priceless and beautiful! She is learning and enjoying everything she does here ... in here, she finds herself!"

"Art is healing, art inspires us; art helps us to feel resilient and alive. In this exhibit Casita Young Artists get to share what they can authentically create," said Vanessa Tricoche, Director of Programs.

Learn more at: https://www.casitamaria.org/.

About Casita Maria:

Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education is the first and oldest Latino 501(c)(3) charity in NYC, founded in 1934. The South Bronx-based community arts and educational organization presents diverse, contemporary visual and performing arts and education programming for all ages. It is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Rafael Salamanca, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, the Charles Hayden Foundation and the New York Women's Foundation, on behalf of The NYC Fund for Girls and Young Women of Color.

*Web Image caption: Samantha, 9th grade, Image credit: Argenis Apolinario.

Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education is proud to present "There's No Place Like Home," the 1st annual Young Artist Showcase celebrating the greatness and self-expression found within all Casita Maria program participants. This multi-disciplinary exhibition will include over 200 artworks created during the 2017-2018 after school-year.

Related link: https://www.casitamaria.org/

C Diff Foundation Presents Award to CutisPharma in Recognition of Contribution to C. diff. Community

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- The C Diff Foundation announced today that it presented CutisPharma, Inc., its "Making a Difference" award as a special recognition of the significant contribution that CutisPharma has made to the C.diff. Community: helping the advancement of C.diff. awareness as well as expanding treatment options for C.diff. patients.

The award was presented at CutisPharma's celebration of its upcoming launch of FIRVANQ(TM), recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains. Upon launch, FIRVANQ(TM) will be the only FDA-approved oral vancomycin solution treatment commercially available, improving patient access and reducing pharmacist burden by no longer having to compound oral liquid formulations.

"CutisPharma has been a committed partner of our Foundation and has furthered our mission to increase C.diff. awareness and support the research and development of new treatment options," said Nancy C. Caralla, Foundress and Executive Director of the C Diff Foundation. "In recognition of CutisPharma's efforts, we are pleased to grant them the 'Making a Difference' award at this special moment in the Company's 20th anniversary year."

"We are very grateful to receive such a special distinction from the C Diff Foundation," said Neal I. Muni, MD, MSPH, and Chief Executive Officer of CutisPharma. "For 20 years, we have been committed to improving the lives of patients who are not well-served by existing therapies and would benefit from high-quality, cost-effective new treatment options. We greatly value our partnership with the C Diff Foundation and look forward to continuing to support their mission."

In the USA: Nearly half a million Americans suffer from Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) infections in a single year according to a study released in 2015 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 29,000 patients died within 30 days of the initial diagnosis of C. difficile. Of those, about 15,000 deaths were estimated to be directly attributable to C. difficile infections making C. difficile a very important cause of infectious disease death in the United States.

About the C Diff Foundation:

The C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization, established in 2012, is comprised of 100 percent volunteering professionals dedicated to supporting public health initiatives for C. difficile infection prevention, treatments, environmental safety, and support worldwide. For more information, visit: https://cdifffoundation.org/.

About CutisPharma:

CutisPharma, Inc., based in Wilmington, Mass., is privately held, specialty pharmaceutical company that has been the industry leader for 20 years in providing innovative solutions to pharmacists. CutisPharma's FIRST(r) Unit-of-Use Compounding Kits have benefited millions of patients who are unable to swallow conventional oral dosage forms such as tablets and capsules and whose needs are not served by commercially available therapies. The Company's first FDA-approved Kit, FIRVANQ(TM), will allow significantly broader patient access, convenience to pharmacists and patients alike by reducing the need for compounding, and serve as a potential cost-saving option to existing treatments. For more information, visit: https://cutispharma.com/.

The C Diff Foundation today announced that it presented CutisPharma, Inc., its "Making a Difference" award as a special recognition of the significant contribution that CutisPharma has made to the C.diff. Community: helping the advancement of C.diff. awareness as well as expanding treatment options for C.diff. patients.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/

Lion’s Heart Receives $10,000 from Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP in Support of Teen Volunteers and Leaders

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Lion's Heart is thrilled to announce it has received a $10,000 corporate partner sponsorship from the esteemed Orange County law firm, Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP. These funds will support the cultivation of age-appropriate service projects for over 10,000 empowered teen Members across the country as well as support general law and business counsel for the organization.

Over the past six years, Lion's Heart teen Members have served over 850,000 community service hours in nearly thirty states, providing support for a wide variety of local causes--including animal care, children's health, environmental protection, military support, senior advocacy, and so much more.

"Lion's Heart helps teens understand the value of giving back while discovering the power they have inside themselves to contribute meaningfully to this world - now and for a lifetime," says Terry Corwin, Lion's Heart Founder and Executive Director.

"We are so excited to have the support of Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP. With their help, thousands of teens will have more opportunities to discover empathy, collaborate with others, and practice leadership. All by experiencing service opportunities in their own neighborhoods."

Support teens in action by forming a Lion's Heart chapter in your neighborhood, becoming a Member, or requesting Lion's Heart teen volunteers to support your cause. For more information, visit https://lionsheartservice.org/ today!

About Lion's Heart
We are Lion's Heart: teens dedicated to positive social impact. We are a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides 5th-12th grade students with local service opportunities that help them build a strong community service portfolio. Teens can track hours, earn leadership awards, and export their service portfolio to use on scholarship, college, and career applications. We are over 10,000 Members strong with new chapters forming every day across the United States! To form a chapter in your neighborhood, become a Member, request volunteers for your cause, or become a corporate partner, visit https://lionsheartservice.org.

Twitter: @LionsHeartOrg @SHBLLPLawyers #teenvolunteers #communityservice

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/L5tl-BNGK18

Lion's Heart is thrilled to announce it has received a $10,000 corporate partner sponsorship from the esteemed Orange County law firm, Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP. These funds will support the cultivation of age-appropriate service projects for over 10,000 empowered teen Members across the country as well as support general law and business counsel for the organization.

Related link: https://lionsheartservice.org/