LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022 WITH OPTIMISM

I have been in public relations and marketing for over 30 years, but I heard two new media terms recently – ‘doom scrolling’ and ‘doom surfing’. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines these as “a tendency to continue to surf or scroll through bad news, even though that news is saddening, disheartening, or depressing. Many people find themselves reading continuously bad news…. without the ability to stop or step back.” This is closely related to ‘clickbait’, a more widely used term indicating a dramatic or emotive headline which is not necessarily real news but aims to – you guessed it – encourage the user to click on a link.

But is the world really that bad a place? As a rational and intelligent adult, business owner, grandparent, and member of the community that I love, I do accept the realities of the problems around us. Our ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, worries on the international front from Taiwan to the Ukraine, and an increasing polarization of America are real problems that must be understood, met and dealt with.

However, I am an optimist and insist on viewing the world in positive terms. I am also thankfully surrounded by positive people in my family, my friends, and my team at work. I simply refuse to cave in to the “doom and gloom” merchants and adopt a “woe is me” attitude. I believe that the world is a wonderful and beautiful place which has substantially more good in it than bad.

I work hard at being realistic while retaining a hopefulness and confidence about the future, seeing the glass as “half full” rather than “half empty”, a phrase that was first reported used by former US President, Ronald Reagan in 1985. I also like the quote by comedian George Carlin who said “some people see the glass half-full. Others see it half-empty. I see a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be.”

A friend challenged me recently to name one good thing that came out of 2021. What did I come up with? The World Health Organization has approved the first malaria vaccine. Malaria still kills over 600,000 people each year, over half of them children under five. It is now likely to soon be a disease of the past like polio and smallpox. Take that, click-baiters and doom-surfers!

My personal optimism tendencies sometimes lead me to think I can get all my work or chores done with time to spare – sometimes leaving me exhausted, running late and frustrated with myself. My husband calls it my own “personal battle with the space-time continuum”.

In today’s world it is difficult not to be overwhelmed occasionally by depressing and scary news. I retain my optimistic nature with some simple but effective tools that my more than five decades on earth have proven to work for me:

The biggest thing is learning from history and remembering that “this too shall pass”, a great phrase from Corinthians in the Bible, and one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite sayings. I majored in history at university, and the perspective of centuries proves that the human race is absolutely resilient in the face of war, pandemics and natural disasters.
Although it is essential for my work that I stay up to date on social media and daily news, I find unplugging from a constant 24/7 news stream and occasionally turning off my smartphone is vital for my mental health.
Getting enough rest. It is tempting to maximize every day to the utmost and just stay at work to get that one more thing done, or staying up a little later at night to just check one more thing off my personal list. I have learned that sometimes I just need to just call it a day and stop to remember that I am a human ‘being’ not a human ‘doing’!
Compartmentalizing problems and not letting them dominate other things I think, say or do. Instead, I try to assess them, decide on a course of action and then just get on with it.
Hugging my loved ones. The comfort of physical touch from hugs to stroking a pet has been scientifically proven to reduce stress for everyone involved.

I say goodbye this week with a quote from Annette Funicello, the famous American mouseketeer, singer and actress who danced her way into all those beach party movies with Frankie Avalon in the 1950s and 60s. In 1992, when she was announcing that she was suffering with multiple sclerosis, she didn’t seek pity or sympathy. Instead, she proclaimed “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful”. What a great lady, and what great words to live by.

God Bless America, and Happy New Year!

– ENDS –

Lesley grew up in London, England and made Georgia her home in 2009. She can be contacted at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or via her PR and marketing agency at www.lesleyfrancispr.com

LFPR

SAVANNAH DONORS COME THROUGH TO SUPPORT THE SALVATION ARMY’S HOLIDAY FOOD AND GIFT DISTRIBUTION

SAVANNAH, GA – December 20, 2021 – The Salvation Army of Savannah (TSA)’s loyal donors ensured that this non-profit organization could distribute holiday food and gift packages to thousands of people in need in our community. This annual tradition of distributing food and gifts to any registered individual or family needing a little extra help took place over two days at TSA’s Community Center on Bee Road. This year TSA received a very large number of applications for people to come to Bee Road at an appointed time to collect their holiday packages.

The generosity and loyalty of Savannah donors to the Salvation Army means that thousands of Savannah’s residents will not go hungry or without gifts this festive season. Many volunteers and representatives from The Salvation Army spend days preparing the food and gifts and distributing these holiday packages to community members who came to the Community Center on December 16 and 17, 2021.

“Savannah has come through once again,” says Major Paul Egan of TSA. “The Salvation Army is not a political organization. In these times of heightened sensitivity, we are aware that we clearly need to focus only on giving aid wherever and whenever it is needed; whatever the race, age, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs of those in need. We remain thankful to our loyal donors whose generosity enables us to meet the increasing needs in our community. Without their ongoing support, TSA could not provide desperately needed food and lodging to people in need not just at Christmas but all year round”.

Every donation to TSA provides help and hope to those in need, and all gifts stay within the greater Savannah community. Donations are also welcomed throughout the year via the organization’s website at www.salvationarmygeorgia.org/savannah/ or by calling 912-651-7420.

– ENDS –

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457 or Allie Robinson at allie@lesleyfrancispr.com / 912-547-3100

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood

The Salvation Army of Savannah

HAVE A CRACKING CHRISTMAS

I am proud to call Coastal Georgia my home. I love living close to our family, and this time of year I always look forward to seeing our granddaughters open their gifts early on Christmas morning. It is a privilege and a joy. I have also learned to enjoy some very American Christmas tastes and experiences including eggnog, parades, candy canes and traditional American movies, although putting up the Christmas decorations in November (right after Thanksgiving) still seems way too early for me. But as much as I love America, it has now been over two years since I have visited the land of my birth, my longest period ever being away from England. So this year more than ever, I am thinking about the people and traditions across the pond that I will miss during this festive season.

I have noticed that it is easier to obtain British Christmas treats here than it was when I first moved to the USA in 2009. This has been especially important during these challenging times for travel and has enabled us to blend the best of American and British holiday traditions. One essential component of the Christmas season for any Brit is “the Christmas cracker”. These are colorful paper tubes which contain a silly paper hat, a small gift, and a little slip of paper with a corny joke on it. When they are opened by two people pulling them apart sort of like two people pulling on a wishbone, they “pop” with a small, cap-gun-like explosion. They must be set out on the fully decorated dining table before we begin our big Christmas day meal, along with the plates, silverware, and turkey or ham. Anyone not wearing the paper hat or reading their joke to the group out loud is branded as grumpy or ‘not much fun’. These cone-shaped crackers are simply a ‘must-have’ for British people to make any Christmas complete.

I must admit that most Americans politely go along with the cracker pulling tradition at our home, but they seem very underwhelmed by the whole thing. Like many things in life, perhaps you have to grow up with Christmas crackers to really appreciate them! My family have learned to humor me over the years although usually I am the only one still wearing the silly paper crown by the time we get to dessert. That is when I try to tempt them with another traditional English treat – the Christmas pudding, sort of a hot fruit cake with warm creamy sauce poured over it. Truly an acquired taste, that is one for another column!

So what is the history of the Christmas cracker? London based pastry and confectionery maker Tom Smith invented them during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1847. This British baker was inspired by a visit to France and began making traditional French bon-bon sweets for sale back in London. Even though he wrapped the sugared almonds in paper and displayed them attractively, they did not sell well. One evening as he sat listening to the snaps and pops of his fireplace, he had the big idea – what if he could make the treats crackle and pop like the fire when opened? He launched his range, originally called “Bangs of Expectation”, with his bon-bon candies and a love message inside the wrappers. He had to make the wrapper bigger to include the banger mechanism. When his sons took over the business, they added paper crown-like hats, possibly inspired by ‘Epiphany’ or ‘three king cakes’ from Europe which are decorated with these paper crowns. Over time because the edible treats in crackers often dropped to the floor when they were pulled apart, little trinkets replaced the candy. By the 1930s, the love messages were replaced by jokes or riddles, and it is a British tradition that they need to be not very funny and are often well known to the group as the same jokes have been appearing in crackers for many years. “What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? It’s Christmas, Eve!” and “What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite!” and “Who is Santa’s favorite singer? Elf-is Presley”. You get the idea. There is more information at www.historic-uk.com

I say goodbye this week with a quote from Bob Hope, who was British born but turned American and became one of the world’s leading entertainers of the 20^th century. “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”

God Bless America and wishing everybody, as we say in the UK, a very ‘Happy Christmas’!

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Lesley grew up in London, England and made Georgia her home in 2009. She can be contacted at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or via her PR and marketing agency at www.lesleyfrancispr.com

LFPR

12 DAYS OF AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES WITH LIBERTY LINE-X!

At Liberty LINE-X, we do the holidays a little differently. A partridge in a pear tree? No thanks! Give us a bedliner or toolbox any day!

So to help you with your holiday shopping, let’s talk about how we celebrate our “12 Days of Aftermarket Accessories” with some of our favorites! And best of all, you can bring your vehicle into LIBERTY LINE-X where we can help you find any of these accessories and install everything.

DAY 1

Truck Bed Covers

Protecting your truck bed and everything inside is essential. At LIBERTY LINE-X, we carry hard and soft covers, trifold and rolling, and customizable fiberglass tops. Our favorite brands include BAKFlip, ReTrax, RollNLock, UnderCover, and Extang.

CHOOSING A TRUCK BED COVER

DAY 2

ValuGard Undercoating

ValuGard is a durable undercoating that is applied to the underbody of your vehicle. It is rust resistant and can dampen sound. It’s hard to know what’s going on in the underbelly of your ride, but with ValuGard, you won’t have to worry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT UNDERCOATING

DAY 3

LINE-X Bedliner

If you want to protect your truck bed, a LINE-X spray-on bedliner is a must. A LINE-X bedliner creates a permanent bond to give your truck impact and abrasion protection without cracking, bubbling, or peeling. Our bedliners dampen sound and absorb impact. Plus, they are completely customizable and come with a lifetime warranty.

LINE-X SPRAY-ON BEDLINERS

DAY 4

Off Road Lights

Lights on a tree are nice, but lights on your ride are even better. Lights are perhaps one of the most drastic changes you can make to your truck, JEEP, SUV or UTV and can completely change the functionality and look of your vehicle. If you’re off roading, you need to see the terrain. Ridgid and Southern Light LED have wide range of lights perfect for your off-roading needs.

LIGHTING AT LIBERTY LINE-X

DAY 5

CAMLocker Toolbox

A CAMLocker toolbox wrapped up under the tree is sure not to disappoint. As one of the most reputable manufacturers of aftermarket accessories, CAMLocker products are high quality and high performing. CAMLocker toolboxes feature carbon steel CAM-locks, heavy gauge aluminum, and intense strength. These toolboxes are easy to get into so you can retrieve tools and items effortlessly.

THE BEST TOOLBOXES ON THE MARKET

DAY 6

Hitches

You can’t haul a trailer without a high-quality hitch. B&W offers one of the best tri-ball hitches on the market. With a tri-ball hitch, you can easily switch between balls for towing various weights and sizes. Bulletproof hitches have you covered no matter what vehicle you drive. With a Bulletproof hitch, you can tow any trailer at the correct level.

REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY

DAY 7

Running Boards

If you’ve got a truck that sits up high, you need running boards. Running boards also let you customize your truck and really step-up your truck’s appearance. We carry several styles and options when it comes to running boards. Best of all, you can choose the shape and style. With brands such as Westin, Raptor, AMP Research, and NFAB, we’ll find exactly what you need.

OUR FAVORITE RUNNING BOARDS

DAY 8

Custom Seat Covers

Seat covers offer protection, comfort, are customizable, and will give you the perfect fit. Marathon and CoverCraft make the best seat covers on the market. If you want seat covers that offer a great fit and are made of high-quality then these brands are the covers for you! We can also complete replace your cloth seats with Katzkins high-quality leather seats!

CUSTOM SEAT COVERS AT LINE-X

DAY 9

Bumpers / Grille Guards

Bumpers and grille guards protect the front end of your vehicle from damage in case of an accident or incidental scratches and dents from the great outdoors—or the freeway. Grille Guards will particularly protect your vehicle from collisions with animals. We love Fab Fours grille guards and bumpers because they are the epitome of tough! But watch out for calling birds and French hens!

REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY

DAY 10

Jeep Accessories

Aftermarket parts and accessories are essential to get the most out of your Jeep. And the possibilities are endless! From lights to toppers to doors, you can customize your JEEP anyway you want to—and we can help! What would we recommend? We love Bestop accessories! They’ve got a variety of innovative accessories for your JEEP.

JEEP ACCESSORIES AT LINE-X

DAY 11

Winches

Going off-roading? A winch is essential for pulling your vehicle out of a tight spot. Most winches are designed for a specific weight capacity, so you need to get the right one. Warn and Smittybilt winches are durable, powerful, and affordable.

REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY

DAY 12

Lift Kits

Lift kits will give you extra space above your wheel well and raise you high enough to get over anything in your path. Lift kits are ideal for off-roading adventures. Zone lift kits offer high quality and excellent results. We are also proud to offer BDS lift kits because they are of the highest quality. A custom BDS lift kit will provide you with the best suspension possible.

LIFT KITS AT LINE-X

Come on into LIBERTY LINE-X and celebrate “12 Days of Aftermarket Accessories” with our staff. We promise to give you exceptional customer service and perfect installations every time. No maids-a-milking here, just awesome accessories for a happy holiday season!

REQUEST A QUOTE

Line-X

FAMILY PROMISE PLANS PAJAMA MOVIE PARTY, GIFT GIVEAWAY FOR BRYAN, EFFINGHAM FAMILIES

BRYAN COUNTY, GA – DECEMBER 13, 2021 – Family Promise of the Coastal Empire is treating its 2021 program graduates in Bryan and Effingham counties to a special event to celebrate their recent accomplishments and mark the holiday season.

Families will gather on Sunday, Dec. 19 for an evening pajama party, complete with an outdoor showing of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” snacks and drinks, a few special surprise appearances, and a gift distribution.

Family Promise is planning a separate Christmas Caravan event for its Chatham County families, and wanted to do something equally as rewarding and special for clients in neighboring areas.

“The families who’ve graduated from our program this year have worked so hard to pull themselves up, and we couldn’t be prouder. We are excited to reward them! The different communities we serve lend themselves to different kinds of celebrations. Because of logistics, transportation and how spread-out certain areas are, it can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. So, the Christmas Caravan works well for Chatham, and our pajama party and movie night will provide a lot of fun for families in Effingham and Bryan,” said Family Promise Executive Director Katrina Bostick.

At the gathering, families will be presented with the gifts that were purchased for them through Family Promise’s holiday “Adopt-A-Family” initiative, which encourages the nonprofit’s supporters to sign up to receive the Christmas wish list of a family in need. The supporters then purchase the items on their assigned family’s wish list. The “Adopt-A-Family” tradition is a cherished one at Family Promise and has been helping the charitable entity provide gifts to their clients for years.

“We’re grateful to everyone who has donated and contributed to the success of both of our holiday-themed outreach events in Chatham and Bryan/Effingham counties,” Bostick said. “Thanks to the caring and generous souls in the communities we serve, many families will have a very special Christmas.”

Family Promise works with host congregations to reduce the number of families who are separated when they fall on difficult times and find themselves homeless. However, the organization expands its mission beyond just providing meals and shelter for families. They also offer mentoring, homelessness-prevention programs and services, and initiatives to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Family Promise has a strong track record in keeping families together, while offering support and resources towards long-term independence.

For more information about Family Promise, please visit www.familypromisece.org, email familypromise@familypromisece.org or call 912-790-9446.

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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651, Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com at 912-429-3950, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

Family Promise of the Coastal Empire

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS – AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES!

Brown paper packages tied up with string? Sure. Just as long as there are vehicle accessories inside!

As we look back on the last year at LINE-X of Savannah, we’d like to share some of our favorite things with our loyal customers. Aftermarket accessories can take your ride to the next level. Customize your vehicle with some of these amazing options:

LINE-X Spray-On Bedliner has to be at the top of our “favorites” list. Nothing can do more for your vehicle than LINE-X. LINE-X offers supreme protection for your truck bed or vehicle exterior. LINE-X creates a permanent bond to give your truck impact and abrasion protection without cracking, bubbling, or peeling. Our bedliners dampen sound and absorb impact. Plus, these bedliners are completely customizable and come with a lifetime warranty.

CAM Locker Toolboxes – We love these toolboxes! If you’re a truck owner, you’re always hauling things around. You need a place to store smaller tools and items that slide around the truck bed. CAM Locker toolboxes solve that problem. They are made of high-quality aluminum and are extremely durable. You can’t find a toolbox with better styling or dependability than a CAM Locker toolbox. Made in the USA, a CAM Locker toolbox is the perfect place to house your tools, ropes, and equipment.

Level or Lift Kits – If you need added clearance for your truck, a level or lift kit is the solution. The right level or lift kit will raise your truck to get the clearance you need, making uneven and rocky terrain harmless. With the added height and performance of some of our favorite brands like Zone and BDS your truck will perform to perfection.

Tires and Wheels – Tires and wheels do more than change the look of your truck. It’s important to get the right wheels and tires for your vehicle and where you drive it. We stock and install tires and wheels for highway driving to off-roading. Whether you need your tires and wheels to withstand tough impact or intense use—or maybe you just want to make a statement—we can find the perfect tires and wheels for your vehicle.

LEER Tonneau Covers or Camper Tops – LEER is one of the most trusted brands in the industry and they’ve earned that reputation. Whether you are in the market for a rolling, folding, retractable, or fiberglass cover, you can be confident you’re getting the best with a LEER cover.

Interior Accessories – Really, we can help you find any accessory you need for your vehicle. Some of our absolute favorite interior accessories include WeatherTech floor mats, Marathon seat covers, and Tuffy storage boxes.

Lighting – The right lighting makes such a difference when you’re driving at night. You can light up your grille, bumpers, and truck bed. Looking for emergency or strobe lights? We can help you there too. We love lights by Southern Lite LED!

– Ram mounts are a must for your vehicle. A Ram Mount will keep your electronics organized and where you can safely see and reach them. You can keep your eyes on the road and never miss a beat.

These are just a few of our favorite things and we’re sure they’ll be some of your favorites too! Come on into LINE-X of Savannah and we’ll help you choose the best options for your car, truck, JEEP, or SUV.

Line-X

GCSA HONORS SAVANNAH CLASSICAL ACADEMY CEO BARRY LOLLIS WITH “CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AWARD”

SAVANNAH, GA – Dec. 10, 2021 – On the evening of Dec. 7, Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) honored Barry Lollis, CEO of Savannah Classical Academy (SCA), with the “Champion for Children Award” during GCSA’s annual Holiday Celebration and Recognition of Advocates.

Lollis was selected to receive this award for his advocacy of Senate Bill 59 at the Georgia Capitol and in the community he serves, his leadership and innovative practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his efforts to share and assist other schools with pioneering initiatives.

“We are grateful for Barry Lollis’ tireless advocacy and dedication to Georgia’s public charter school students,” said Tony Roberts, GCSA President and CEO. “In addition, we greatly appreciate his steadfast willingness to lend GCSA and his fellow school leaders a helping hand.”

During the 2021 legislative session, Lollis testified in favor of Senate Bill 59, a charter school resources and equity bill that gained passage by the Georgia General Assembly and was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. Lollis is committed to ensuring that SCA and other Georgia charter schools receive the funding they are entitled to by law. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, SCA was at the forefront of Georgia schools planning and implementing a switch to remote learning, which included providing technology devices and meal programs for students in need. Due to these efforts, Lollis was selected as one of only ten Charter School representatives to serve on Georgia’s new COVID-19 Charter School Task Force. The task force, established to provide a state-wide brain trust of charter school leaders to be at the forefront of problem-solving critical issues, played a crucial role in forging a way forward for educators and students in today’s environment of a “new-normal.” Additionally, in 2021 Lollis led efforts to obtain retroactive funding for Chatham County charter schools, which had not been properly allocated by the local public school system for the financial years of 2018, 2019, and 2020.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award from GCSA, an organization that shares my drive to support public charter schools and growth for students, their families, and faculty within Georgia,” said Lollis.

Lollis’ undergraduate degree is in Biology, and he has a master’s degree in Broadfield Science, both earned from Armstrong, he earned a second master’s degree from Georgia Southern University in Educational Leadership; and rounded out his final program with an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College. Lollis is an innovative educator who has been leading and improving schools for 18 years. Lollis came to SCA in 2017 and has overseen significant improvements in the academic achievements of the school.

The GCSA supports, fosters, and advocates for the development of high-quality public charter schools and networks that improve opportunities for Georgia students. With the vision of every child in Georgia having equal access to a high-quality, transformative public education, the organization values innovation, school choice, parental involvement, student achievement, accountability, communication, and collaboration.

It is the philosophy of Savannah Classical Academy that all students benefit from a rigorous, content-rich, educational program that develops academic potential and personal character. The school provides an environment that fosters academic excellence through the habits of thoroughness, the willingness to work, and the perseverance to complete difficult tasks. Through a defined traditional, Classical-Liberal curriculum, students are prepared to become active, responsible members of their community.

For more information about Savannah Classical Academy, please visit www.savannahclassicalacademy.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457, Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

Savannah Classical Academy

THE SALVATION ARMY OF SAVANNAH CALLS FOR VOLUNTEER BELL RINGERS THIS RED KETTLE SEASON

SAVANNAH, GA – December 10, 2021 – The Salvation Army of Savannah (TSA) is in need of volunteers to ring the kettles at partner locations during the holiday season for the annual Red Kettle Campaign to ensure they can continue to bring hope to those in need in our community this holiday season and beyond.

The Red Kettle Campaign is the best way for the community to get involved with The Salvation Army’s mission. Without this support, The Salvation Army could not provide desperately needed food and lodging to people in need in our region year-round. Volunteers are encouraged to ring at Belk, Kroger on Mall Blvd. and Leopold’s on Broughton.

One of the best ways to help during the Red Kettle Campaign is to sign up as a group for a week of volunteering. Volunteer shifts are 8 hours a day with hours from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday (6 days). There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for groups to take a minimum of two hours of kettle ringing and only a few weeks to accomplish this momentous goal. While volunteering, businesses can wear their uniforms or company logo and can get free promotion just by ringing a bell. Businesses or individuals can bring their friends and family out to support a great cause.

The concept of the Red Kettle Campaign began in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was troubled by how many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken but did not know how to fund the project. As he pondered, he remembered his sailor days in England where there was a large, iron kettle that passersby tossed a coin or two into to help the poor. The following day Captain McFee placed a similar pot on the street with a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Everywhere, public contributions to The Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

Flexible volunteer opportunities are available for scheduling at www.registertoring.com or contact Special Events Coordinator Jessica Battista at Jessica.Battista@uss.salvationarmy.org or the Volunteer Coordinator Stacey Magoon at Stacey.magoon@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Every donation provides help and hope to those in need, and all gifts stay within the greater Savannah community. The public will have an opportunity to donate directly to the famous red kettles around the region during the holiday season or via the online donation platform at www.RedKettleSAV21.givesmart.com or by texting “RedKettleSAV” to 76278. Donations are also welcomed throughout the year via the organization’s website at www.salvationarmygeorgia.org/savannah/ or by calling 912-651-7420.

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For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army of Savannah

THE SALVATION ARMY OF SAVANNAH’S PATHWAY OF HOPE RECIPIENTS RECEIVE GENEROUS DONATION FROM SAM’S CLUB DURING ANNUAL ‘MERRY-VILLE’ EVENT

SAVANNAH, GA. – Dec. 9, 2021 – The Salvation Army of Savannah’s received $10,000 during Sam’s Club’s Merryville event in Pooler on December 4. These funds will help TSA be able to provide help to families in the Pathway of Hope program and give them the ability to move forward in their lives. Pathway of Hope participants, Ms. Thornton and Ms. Brown, were present during the event. The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program was launched in 2011 to provide targeted services to families wanting to break the generational cycle of poverty and enable a path out of constant crisis. It is rooted in a case management approach, focusing on the client’s individual needs and mastery of different life skills.

The Merryville event was attended by members of the community as well as local dignitaries and leaders, including Pooler Mayor Rebecca Benton who was present during the event. This fun-filled Christmas celebration offered an ice rink, a Salvation Army angel tree, red kettles, virtual Santa booth, craft stations, and Member’s Mark food truck.

Ms. Brown and her son began their journey in The Salvation Army Savannah shelter. Ms. Brown was able to obtain a job and moved out of the shelter and began living with a friend. Since then, Ms. Brown has been an active participant in the Pathway of Hope initiative. Through this initiative she has been committed to working hard and saving money for a place of her own. Ms. Brown recently had a baby and is looking forward to providing a home for her two sons. Ms. Brown commented:

“The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Mission has helped me. It is the best program that I have come across they actually care about the people they help. My case workers Mrs. Cindy and Mrs. Dell are awesome beyond words. They have given me a new sense of direction. I have learned to manage my time and money better. The Salvation Army has given me a second chance when nobody else was willing or cared. With the housing they provide, I was able to make it a home. Thank you for all you have done for me and will do in the future.”

Ms. Thornton turned to The Salvation Army when her husband passed away in 2019. After his passing, the Thorntons lost their house, job, and their car. By joining the Pathway of Hope initiative, Ms. Thornton and her children were given a safe place to call home. Recently, she was diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Colon Cancer that spread to other organs. During her battle, Ms. Thornton believes that the staff at The Salvation Army of Savannah became like her family and supported her through it all.

“My Pathway family, Mrs. Cindy especially, was right by my side through all my challenges these past few years, making house calls with boxes of food for me and my children. As of today, I am in remission with no sign of the disease. With the help of The Salvation Army of Savannah, my family is so blessed and grateful for such a selfless group of people who provide shelter, church, and childcare. The Salvation Army of Savannah helps rebuild and empower families like mine.”

The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood

For more information about TSA, please visit www.salvationarmygeorgia.org/savannah/ or call 912-200-3004.

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For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457.

The Salvation Army of Savannah

Shelby McKee

Shelby McKee joined LFPR in 2021 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Certificate of Graphic Design & Digital Imaging from the University of Massachusetts in May 2021 where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, Shelby is experienced in creating and coordinating the production of high quality, impactful design materials for both print and digital usages that consistently impress our clients and drive their audiences to take action. In her free time, Shelby enjoys going to the beach, playing the piano, watching documentaries and taking her dog for walks.

As Vice President of Digital Design, she manages the design of responsive, user-friendly websites, as well as branding and digital and print materials, while tracking and analyzing website performance metrics and user engagement to make effective and data-driven design decisions.

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