A WINTER TRIP TO MINNESOTA

I love exploring new places in the USA. After living through Covid, like many Americans I have the “travel bug” again. I have been to perhaps half the US states, but I am now developing a desire to visit all the states and to seize travel opportunities whenever I can.

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AMERICAN VETERAN PROPERTIES WELCOMES VETERAN BRAD BERENS TO THE TEAM

HINESVILLE, GA – NOVEMBER 17, 2022 – American Veteran Properties (AVP) welcomes new agent Brad Berens to its team of real estate professionals. Like AVP’s other agents, Berens is also a veteran, who understands the shortage of affordable military housing in our region and how the military’s Basic Housing Allowance and VA loans can be successfully and responsibly utilized to build financial security.

 

Before becoming a Realtor, Berens was a U.S. Army soldier who was born and raised in San Diego, California. After graduating college from San Jose State University, he served on active duty as a Satellite Operator and Maintainer with the 706th Military Intelligence Group and National Security Agency (NSA) in Fort Benning and Fort Gordon. When he left the military he decided to pursue his passion for AVP’s philosophy and values and relocate to the Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield area.

 

“Joining AVP was a no brainer for me when transitioning out of the military because it provided me with the opportunity to pursue my passion for real estate while still serving the community I love,” Berens said. “I have first-hand experience and understanding of the constant demands and stress that come with being a service member. My main goal is to make your home buying or selling process as easy and stress free as possible for you and your family. I am excited to put my work ethic, customer service, and no quit mentality on display in order to help you achieve your real estate goals and needs.”

 

“We’re very positive about Brad joining our team,” said Eric Lukkarinen, Founder and CEO of AVP. “After only one month working as one of our agents, Brad has achieved two sales, one listing and many more pending. I know that, as veterans, we share the same core values and work ethic, and this combined with his talent for real estate makes him a great fit for AVP.”

 

American Veteran Properties is a full-service real estate agency which offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth.

 

For more information, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com , call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media.

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

ASBURY MEMORIAL CHURCH TO WELCOME LGBTQ+ ACTIVIST ZANDER MORICZ – NOV. 20

SAVANNAH, GA. – NOV. 16, 2022 – Asbury Memorial Church will welcome viral LGBTQ+ activist Zander Moricz at 1008 E. Henry St., Savannah on Sunday, November 20 at 11:15 a.m. He will participate in the church’s Sunday worship service.

Moricz first gained a following when his Sarasota high school “I have curly hair” commencement speech went viral. At only 18 years old, he is the youngest plaintiff ever against the State of Florida in the “Don’t Say Gay” lawsuit.

“Having a public figure like Zander at Asbury Memorial will hopefully encourage others to visit as well,” said Reverend Billy Hester. “The church is not always perceived as welcoming for many people, but our doors are always open to any person who wishes to participate in a judgement free community seeking love, justice and compassion.”

Moricz will be in town November 18-20 for “The Zander Weekend” which includes a variety of paid and free events. His visit to Asbury Memorial will be the public’s last chance to see Moricz in Savannah as it will conclude his visit to the Hostess City.

Asbury Memorial Church, located at 1008 Henry Street, Savannah, GA, offers a weekly Sunday worship service at 11:15 a.m. They pride themselves on welcoming all people into their church, no matter their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, or any other demographic. For more information on Asbury Memorial Church or to see other upcoming events, please visit https://www.asburymemorial.org/. 

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-417-5377 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-417-LFPR (5377).

ASBURY MEMORIAL CHURCH TO OFFER FREE WEEKLY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS DEC. 1 – JAN. 12

SAVANNAH, GA. – NOV. 15, 2022 – Asbury Memorial Church (AMC) will host a weekly grief support group through Stephen Ministries every Thursday from 6-7 p.m. in Holliday Hall at AMC, located at 1008 E. Henry St., in Savannah.

This free support group will meet for seven weeks, starting Dec. 1, 2022, and ending Jan. 12, 2023. The first two sessions will be open to the public and the following sessions will be a closed group. Each session will be led by Reverend Holland Morgan, a retired bereavement counselor.

“The loss of a loved one is a heartbreaking experience and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed with grief,” said Morgan. “I believe that the holiday season makes loss even harder because people will reminisce about previous years with their loved ones who are now gone. It’s never an easy time of year for a grieving person, which is why we are hosting our free support group.”

Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one in the last two years is welcome to attend this weekly grief support group. Reservations are required in advance to Candace Jenkins by emailing cjenkins@asburymemorial.com.

Stephen Ministries is a national ministry that certifies congregations throughout the nation to provide emotional and spiritual care to its members. Stephen Ministers come from many different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, but all have in common a heart for bringing Christ’s healing love to hurting people. Asbury Memorial and Wesley Oak members are qualified Stephen Ministers.

Asbury Memorial Church, located at 1008 Henry Street, Savannah, Ga, offers a weekly Sunday worship service at 11:15 a.m. They pride themselves on welcoming all people into their church, no matter their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, or any other demographic. For more information on Asbury Memorial Church or to see other upcoming events, please visit https://www.asburymemorial.org/. 

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

RICHMOND HILL’S WAYS STATION SHOPPING CENTER HOSTS INAUGURAL ‘FILL SANTA’S SLEIGH’ FUNDRAISER – SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2022

RICHMOND HILL – November 15, 2022 – Santa Claus will be visiting the Ways Station Shopping Center on Saturday December 3, from 1.p.m. – 3.p.m to help four businesses collaborating to help children and pets in need this holiday season.  There will be plenty of festive fun at Highway 17’s Ways Station Shopping Center as the community is encouraged to bring toys, pet food and funds to support families and homeless animals needing a little extra help to enjoy this magical time of year.

PawParazzi Pet Boutique and Grooming Spa is asking for donations of pet food or accessories to give rescue dogs a festive treat.  Every donation will qualify for free entry into the raffle to win a $100 gift basket.  The store will also be offering free pet food samples, delicious pet friendly treats and nail trims for only $10, with all proceeds donated to the Renegade Paws Shelter nonprofit organization.  This organization will be bringing adoptable dogs to the store, with applications accepted for dogs hoping to find a forever home this holiday season.

The Bookstore on the Hill will be participating in the new ‘Fill Santa’s Sleigh’ event offering holiday games for children in the bookstore, free entry into a $50 gift certificate raffle with every toy donation and 10% off any purchase with the donation of two or more toys.  There will also be special sales and free book grab bags with any purchase of $30 or more. 

Midnight Star Pottery is excited to participate in the fundraising event with a ‘paint your own ornament’ (make & take) event for $5 with 50% of all proceeds donated to the Toys for Tots program.  The store will also be a collection point for new and unwrapped gifts to fill Santa’s Sleigh.  Delicious samples of fresh baked pizza as well as discount coupons will be donated by Papa’s Pizza To Go to satisfy any cravings for tasty snacks.

Jane Honnor, Owner of PawParazzi and organizer of this initiative said, “Funds raised will go directly to support the work of Renegade Paws and Toys For Tots. We can’t wait to see everyone for this amazing opportunity to give back to our community and enjoy festive fun at Ways Station Shopping Center.”

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

LOCAL VETERAN OWNED COMPANY LAUNCHES ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN TO HELP MILITARY MEMBERS AFFORD HOUSING AT FORT STEWART AND HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD

HINESVILLE, GA – NOVEMBER 10, 2022 – With Veterans Day approaching, a local veteran owned company is launching an advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the housing crisis and seek emergency funding from the Department of Defense for active military families at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.

American Veteran Properties is not profiting from this advocacy campaign but is extremely concerned about the discrepancy between Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in Hinesville and the cost of housing for families. Every day, more military families at Fort Stewart are living in RVs or hotels or expensive short-term rentals, doubling up with two families living in single family homes and struggling to make ends meet. This advocacy campaign is being launched to help our troops afford local housing through increasing their BAH to appropriate levels through contacting Congressman Buddy Carter or their Home of Record Congressperson.

The statistics reveal why low BAH rates at Fort Stewart personally affect the military community. The recent inflation of the housing market means that the cost of homes for sale and rental prices have skyrocketed. This means that average rental prices in Hinesville, GA are now just under $1,800 a month and the average mortgage on a small home is $2,100. A Corporal at Fort Stewart (E4) has a BAH of $1,491 a month making it nearly impossible to find affordable housing. While the soldiers are given access to on post housing, the list to receive a home on post is so long that military families are having to find other places to live. A Colonel at Fort Stewart (06) has a basic housing allowance of $2,232 a month meaning that it is almost impossible for them to find affordable family housing commensurate with their rank. By comparison, military families in Beaufort, South Carolina, which is home to the Marine Air Station (MCAS) and was one of the 28 military bases across the USA awarded the BAH emergency increase last month, is in a much better position. Residential housing rates are similar to Hinesville but an E4 receives $2,172 and an 06 receives $3,336. More information about BAH rates can be found https://www.travel.dod.mil/

Eric Lukkarinen, Founder and CEO of AVP says, “Every day our agents see military families struggling with lack of affordable housing. We are not seeking to profit from this campaign but to encourage congress to grant Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield the BAH emergency increase through this advocacy and education campaign.” He continues, “Our military naturally has other priorities than teaching service members how to leverage their home loan and BAH to their benefit. In fact, if used recklessly, these can lead to financial instability and foreclosure, which is why we are offering any service member access to our free ‘Fatigues to Financial Freedom’ educational seminars.”

Eric Lukkarinen was a soldier in the U.S. Army until 2001 and has over 20 years’ experience in residential real estate. During that time, he saw firsthand how difficult the housing and especially the real estate market can be for service members and their families. Constant relocating and unfamiliarity with new areas makes it difficult for service members to find a way to own a home and actively participate in owning property. Eric realized he could help fill a need faced by service members and veterans, initially in the Savannah and Hinesville areas: near Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. With that mission in mind, Eric started American Veteran Properties. He launched a new type of real estate company to help military families reasonably enjoy homeownership and build financial security. His primary residential focus has been on military sales with use of VA loan packages and overall income-producing real estate management with specific experience regarding military PCS/relocations.

To contact Congressman Buddy Carter, Georgia’s first district representative, visit www.buddycarter.house.gov/contact/. For more information on writing to Congress or to find your local representative, please visit www.congress.gov/contact-us. For more information about American Veteran Properties and to register for the free seminar, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com/fatigues-to-financial-freedom . 

American Veteran Properties is a full-service real estate agency which offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com , call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media.

-ENDS-

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