F1 Manager 2022 partners with F1 in Schools to support future STEM talent
Gibson Gives Donates $30,000 to National Museum of African American Music
Porsche Korea Expands its Social Contribution Activity ‘Porsche Do Dream’ to-gether with the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation
Porsche Korea Holds Special Scholarship Ceremony to Commemorate the 5th Anniversary of ‘Porsche Do Dream’ Campaign
Comcast Continues to Champion Latinas in Tech and Their Mission to Lead with Purpose
Vivid-Pix Helps Seniors “Tell Your Story” in Rochester, NY – City that Brought Photography to the World
PARK HYATT BUSAN EXERSICES “WORLD OF CARE” WITH A GIFT OF GRATITUDE FOR THE HAEUNDAE-GU PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER MEDICAL TEAM
Kilter Partners With Giving Platform Classy, Connecting Active Lifestyles With Important Causes
Cyberathlete & ReadyUp Announce "Esports for Ukraine" Campaign
Comcast Donates $76,000 and Free WiFi to YWCA During Women’s History Month
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Digital staffing firm uses NFTs to raise money and awareness for Ukraine
Pixoul, a digital consultancy and IT staffing firm, announced today plans to partner with UNICEF amidst the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The company will use all proceeds from its NFT (non-fungible token) studio to donate to the emergency relief effort. The decision is a landmark shift in the growing crypto sector, as the digital assets become a vehicle for charitable donations. What is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy—we at Pixoul feel deeply for the Ukrainian people and want to lend support in any way we can,” says Devon Fata, CEO and President of Pixoul. “We knew when we started our NFT studio that we wanted to use this arm of our business to better communities near and far. I can’t think of anything more important right now than funding this fight for freedom.” Purchases of Pixoul NFTs will go entirely toward UNICEF’s emergency response efforts, as well as support to the local artists creating the NFTs. The digital art is available for purchase at: https://opensea.io/collection/pixoul-eye-candy
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Publisher Assemble Entertainment Donates Steam Special Edition Revenue to Ukrainian Red Cross
German publisher Assemble Entertainment announced today its support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people facing the current crisis situation via a major financial commitment for the month of March 2022. Supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross relief efforts, the publisher and its partnered charities, including OneTreePlanted, Ocean Cleanup, GoGiveOne, Atmosfair, and ShareTheMeal, warmly band together to donate revenue contributions from their “Save the World” editions of its games on Steam. For the month of March, players who purchase one of Assemble’s Save the World editions for its popular titles such as the new entries in the Leisure Suit Larry saga, ITORAH, Orbital Bullet, Sphere - Flying Cities, and others, will not only receive bonus digital content but can feel good in knowing their contribution will go toward Ukrainian relief efforts. In making the announcement, Assemble Entertainment founder and CEO Stefan Marcinek remarked, “All of us at Assemble Entertainment are deeply shocked and stunned by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Out of the desire to support the Ukrainian people amidst this cruel and surreal situation, immediate discussions arose internally on how we, as a relatively small German games publisher, could make a difference. We collectively decided to donate Save the World edition contributions collected during March to the Ukrainian Red Cross. We’re doing this with the hope of alleviating some of the suffering endured by the Ukrainian people as we look forward to a quick and peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
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Ernst Prost appeals for help for Ukraine
LIQUI MOLY and outgoing Managing Director Ernst Prost organize aid deliveries to the war zone with the help of business partners around the world The war in Ukraine will directly impact the German lubricant company. “We can write off our business in Russia,” says outgoing Managing Director Ernst Prost, who, in view of the war, expects to lose around 40 million euros in sales in the current fiscal year and to lose several million euros in payments for outstanding orders. "But that is not the point! There is a war in our neighborhood that no one thought possible. Our free world is under attack. Now, we have to stand together and be supportive of all the measures taken by our international allies," explains Ernst Prost. "We have business partners, customers and friends in Russia and Ukraine. None of them wants war. This unspeakable human suffering is unbearable and we want to help where we can," says the outgoing LIQUI MOLY boss. This is why he, along with his team and business partners around the world, is calling for donations. "We are organizing the delivery of aid supplies to Ukraine. We will use donations to buy surgical dressings, medicines, medical equipment, food and much more that is currently needed," says Ernst Prost, giving details of his initiative. The aid supplies are being procured by the Ernst Prost Foundation People for Peace, Peace for People and Ernst Prost's life partner and foundation manager Kerstin Thiele, who is working around the clock on the project. "Our long-standing business partners from Poland, Ukraine and Russia are assisting with transport. We are taking the aid supplies to where they are needed. Right to the heart of the war zone," Ernst Prost confirms. The outgoing Managing Director, LIQUI MOLY and its business partners want to do their part to alleviate people's suffering. “I hope that the nightmare will end quickly and peacefully,” concludes Ernst Prost. You can donate to the Ernst Prost Foundation to support this initiative. Every euro will go towards the initiative.
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Meet the NYFW Designer Making Mental Health Advocacy in Vogue
LadyCat, Zephyr, Jacqueline City Apparel, Love Disorder, Wu-Sah, and Adorn Your Clothes — and models. Among them, breast cancer survivor Christine Handy walked for Nyman with her mastectomy scars on display. Disabilities activist and model Janira Obregon, who had cerebral palsy, rolled down the runway in a chair. TikTok models and sisters Sarah and Emily Stone-Francati walked in support of Emily’s life with Down syndrome. “We had people who have never spoken publicly about their struggle with substance use disorders and their mental health struggles, who have been able to find new courage to do so through the showcase and through this platform,” says Alexandra Nyman, the organizer and founder of Break Free who designs under the LadyCat moniker. Inspired by her brother who lives with Bipolar Disorder Type II, Nyman has spent years melding her dual passions for elevating mental health awareness, and designing. “For me, that’s the huge win, and that’s the whole purpose of this — to create a community of creatives, designers, models, spectators and journalists to be able to share themselves authentically.” Co-sponsored by Recovery Centers of America, Break Free sold out its 250-plus seats and secured an ample donation to 10,000 Beds, which raises funds to send individuals suffering from substance abuse to rehabilitation centers. Every aspect of the February 14th show was rooted in advocacy for mental wellbeing and recovery. For the participating designers, “I wanted to make sure they had a connection to either mental health or substance use disorders, whether it be they had a loved one that suffered or that they personally did or their brand either donated to an organization, or it was a core value of their brand,” Nyman says. During the casting process for the models, “We asked them to share a personal story about their connection to the mission of the showcase and that was taken into consideration,” she notes. Nyman describes her own showcase, titled Therapy Revisited, as a nod to both her brother, and her own mental health journey. “This was about me coming to terms with my own mental health issues and realizing, Alex, you do have an anxiety disorder, you do have depression,” she says. “A lot of times when I’m designing I’m trying to communicate where I am in terms of my mental health.” Break Free has received a smattering of press coverage, and Nyman is the subject of an upcoming documentary from Zillard Productions. Thus far, though, Nyman hasn’t heard a peep from anyone in the fashion industry outside of her show. “I haven’t heard anything from the CFDA, and I don’t think I will,” she says of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Her greater hope is that individual designers begin to reach out. “It would be great to hear from other designers to speak up in support of mental health awareness and to speak up about substance use disorders within the industry, especially since there is such a stigma attached to it within the industry,” she says. “I think there are designers that are really trying their hardest to break through the noise. We have the Christian Sirianos of this world, the Brandon Maxwells of this world who are really using their platforms and their voices to bring the change they would like to see. And then there are the designers who are just following the traditional model. This is how it’s been, and this is how it will be.” Nyman is steadfast in her belief that things have to change, and she plans to take Break Free on the road to other cities and shows. She cites Dr. Deni Carise, the chief scientific officer at Recovery Centers of America, who struggled with a substance use disorder during her modeling career in the ‘80s. Carise returned to the runway for Break Free. “It took her 20 years to be able to get back on the runway. She never thought she would have the opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week.” And she points to designer Kate Spade, who took her own life in 2018. “She was days away from going to a behavioral health center after her sister had been begging her to go and was going to go with her to get treatment for her mental health disorder. And Kate felt that because of her brand, which she no longer owned but that had her name, because it evoked such joy and cuteness, she could not go get help,” says Nyman, who is also editor in chief at Soberocity, an organization that connects people living a sober life. “As a society we need to continue to evolve. I’ve seen the power of sharing experiences and showing others you are not alone. There is so much power in that and we need to be doing that in the fashion industry.” Acknowledging “the door’s been cracked open,” Nyman says she’s open to collaborations of all kinds. “Anybody in the design world that’s been impacted by addiction and mental health, I would love to hear from you, talk to you and make an alliance. Just keeping the conversation going… that’s the most important thing at the end of the day.” This article originally appeared in Forbes.com in the Hollywood & Mind column written by Cathy Applefeld Olsen. The Hollywood & Mind column lives at the intersection of entertainment and wellbeing, and features interviews with musicians, actors, sports figures and other culture influencers who are elevating conversations about mental health.
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Porsche Korea to Conduct Season 2 of the ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space’ to Support the Culture and Arts Community
Porsche Korea (CEO Holger Gerrmann) announced that it will be conducting Season 2 of the public-private partnership (PPP) social contribution campaign ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space’ held in cooperation with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture (CEO Lee Chang-gi) under the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Among Porsche Korea’s social contribution activities for culture and art, ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space,’ has been newly introduced last year to give support to the performing arts community whose situation deteriorated significantly due to the necessary social distancing regulations. Porsche Korea will expand its program and donate 230 million KRW through this year’s ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space’ Season 2. The donation will be used to support performing arts organizations and artists who continue their important creative activities despite the instability caused by COVID-19. A public contest will be held for performances conducted in compliance with the social distancing guidelines starting from February 28th until March 11th, 2022, and a total of 43 will be select-ed in the fields of theatre plays, musicals, dance, music, traditional and interdisciplinary art. ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space’ Season 2 will provide benefits to visitors of the performances in line with the social distancing guidelines to allow citizens to revitalise their lives and be inspired by the creativity. Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann said, “Through the ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space,’ which was introduced for the first time last year, I was able to directly witness the passion and dedication of artists who spread dreams and gave hope even in difficult times.” He also added, “Artists are an important part of the social fabric helping it to flourish through their inspiration. During COVID-19 we have a special obligation that this creativity is not lost. I hope that our collaboration will contribute to keep their dreams alive and give more citizens the opportunity to enjoy their performances.” Meanwhile, in addition to 'Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space' last year, Porsche Korea also introduced 'Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi', an eco-friendly public art project, providing opportunities for citizens to enjoy art in their daily lives and contributing to the development of an eco-friendly city. Porsche Korea was grateful to receive the '2021 Arts Supporter Grand Prize’ hosted by the Arts Council Korea in recognition of its sincere activities to create a sustainable cultural and artistic environment.
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Loan Lawyers Announce the 2021 Scholarship Winners
After reviewing the many persuasive submissions, Loan Lawyers is pleased to announce the winners of their 2021 Scholarship Essay Contest. Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 scholarships: Abigayle Wilson (Lumberton High School) Gabrielle Kelly (Western Governors University) The winners discussed what financial freedom means to them and how they will achieve it in the future. Abigayle attends Lumberton High School but hopes to attend Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, for college to study business management. She enjoys reading books on government and politics in her free time. Above all, Abigayle strives to make everyone around her feel included. She describes financial freedom as going “hand in hand with not living paycheck to paycheck.” Her plan for financial freedom includes getting as much scholarship support as possible for her college education. She also plans to work part-time throughout college. Gabrielle is pursuing her Bachelor's in Accounting through Western Governors University. She believes that financial freedom is the ability to take of yourself and your family now and in the future. Her plan is to live frugally now in all aspects of life, including groceries, gas, clothing, and other expenses. She states, “I believe that I can obtain such a life as long as I work hard now to be able to sow the fruits of my labor later.” Gabrielle’s hobbies include music, art, reading, and spending time with her family. - Why Loan Lawyers Sponsored the 2021 Scholarship Essay Contest The team at Loan Lawyers knows no one wants to be in debt, but sometimes there are circumstances out of anyone’s control. These situations can put even the most financially responsible into debt. However, it’s important that our future leaders learn financial freedom now so that they don’t end up in debt later. That’s why Loan Lawyers have encouraged young people to apply for their scholarship and consider what efforts they can make now and in the future to be financially responsible. Forming good habits now will lead to good habits in the future. - About Loan Lawyers' Annual Scholarship Loan Lawyers’ winners submitted 800-1,000 word essays answering the following questions: What does financial freedom mean for you? How can you achieve it in the future? The two winners will receive $750 to go towards their educational expenses. The team at Loan Lawyers look forward to seeing how Abigayle and Gabrielle continue to grow and learn financial literacy. Find Financial Security with Loan Lawyers Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, FL If someone is in debt even when planning everything perfectly. Loan Lawyers are there to find the best financial solution for their clients. As one of the best Foreclosure Defense, Debt Defense, and Bankruptcy Law Firms, they will pursue every option they can to be financially free.
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Planet Classroom Podcast Presents 6 Awardees from the WHO-Backed Global Youth Mobilization in Holiday Special
Supported by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Foundation and the big 6 youth organizations, Global Youth Mobilization is a movement of young people taking action to improve their lives in a post COVID-19 world. To date, this initiative has funded 134 local solutions and 74 national projects in over 100 countries worldwide. In Planet Classroom’s holiday podcast for its popular SHINE series, Orb, the show’s virtual host, introduces 6 of the young Awardees from these projects doing critical work to address the negative impact of the pandemic and build back better. These social impact entrepreneurs are tackling the challenges of mental and physical health, the digital divide, education disruption, and poverty in their local communities. “To bridge the digital divide, I designed a rural learning project tailored to meet the needs of 100 out-of-school young people in communities across Nigeria,” said Esther Edward, Founder of Project Digital Rural. “My goals for WOW-Wheels of Wisdom is to make sure the children I am serving never stop learning and keep on growing mentally,” said Sadia Jafrin, based in Bangladesh. “We learned how to navigate the mental health space with a virus that continues to isolate us from each other,” said Kamanda Bosco, Founder of Mental Health Slumber Party in Uganda. “At Karsa, we believe that young people are the future and young people deserve a chance,” said Jordan Jans, Founder of Karsa for Youth in Jakarta Indonesia.
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Porsche Korea Supports Children’s Dreams through ‘Porsche Virtual Run’
Porsche Korea (Holger Gerrmann, CEO of Porsche Korea Ltd.) announced that it has successfully completed the ‘Porsche Virtual Run’ project to support the dreams and wishes of seriously ill children. The 'Porsche Virtual Run,’ was held for the first time this year. The amount equivalent to the accumulated distance run by Porsche employees worldwide is donated, and the entire amount raised from the project is used to fulfill many dreams through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. All employees of Porsche Korea participated in the ‘Porsche Virtual Run’ project. The team achieved a total of 766.72 km, which is the return distance from Seoul to the Land’s End Village in Haenam and is happy to fulfill the dreams of three seriously ill children in Korea. Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann stated, “Social commitment is one of Porsche’s core values. We ran to our limits for the good cause, and the results were beyond satisfying.” He also emphasized that “Porsche employees from more than 35 countries, including Porsche Korea, have demonstrated true sportsmanship by running distances beyond expectations, motivated by the goal to support a child’s wish.” More than 2,300 Porsche employees worldwide laced up their running shoes from September 17th to October 3rd and covered a total of 67,559km. Porsche AG initially offered a prize of 50 cents for every km run but decided to increase the donation amount to three euros per km, in view of people’s great engagement and the large number of wishes. The first Porsche Virtual Run has raised 200,000 euros for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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NEST Nurtures Donates $100,000 to Impact Communities Across United States in 2021
NEST, the leading national integrated facilities management company, announced that more than 15 charities and counting will benefit from over $100,000 in cash donations in 2021. Organized by NEST’s philanthropic division NEST Nurtures, the recipients were selected by NEST’s retail partners to support nonprofits making an impact in local communities and through nationwide programs. Beneficiaries of the initiative include The Little Bit Foundation (selected by Build-A-Bear Workshop), Toys for Tots (selected by Five Below), St. Jude (selected by Hot Topic), and American Cancer Society (selected by Sleep Number). “Through NEST Nurtures, we want to make a lasting impact that goes beyond just the donation,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “Philanthropy has been part of our mission at NEST for 27 years. I’m proud that we’ve been able to support and network with even more charities through this program.” On Tuesday, Dec. 21, NEST Nurtures will host a networking event with representatives from each of the nonprofit recipients. The keynote speaker for the evening will be former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, who co-founded his own 501(c)(3) Jaws Youth Playbook. NEST Nurtures included Jaworski’s nonprofit as one of the donation recipients in 2021, and NEST employees assembled bikes at Jaworski’s annual bike drive this month. The following is a list of nonprofits and charitable programs that received a donation from NEST Nurtures in 2021: Akron Children’s Hospital American Cancer Society ASI Swing Classic Boys & Girls Club of America Dress for Success Epilepsy Foundation First Book Jaws Youth Playbook Make a Wish Foundation National Multiple Sclerosis Society Project Sunshine Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey Spirit of Children St. Jude The Little Bit Foundation Toys for Tots In July of 2020, NEST established NEST Nurtures as a new division of their company that focuses on supporting nonprofits and improving communities around the country. NEST Nurtures’ mission is to expand on philanthropic endeavors that NEST has prioritized since they were founded in 1994. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Ronald McDonald House Charities have been longtime beneficiaries of NEST. NEST continues to play an essential role in the retail industry’s response to COVID-19. Almond and his team develop leading facility management strategies for more than 40 retail clients, from decreasing facility management expenses to streamlining operations. NEST manages over 60,000 individual retail locations in North America.
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Porsche Korea is Awarded the ‘2021 Arts Supporter Grand Prize’
Porsche Korea (Holger Gerrmann, CEO of Porsche Korea Ltd.) was awarded the ‘2021 Arts Supporter Grand Prize’ by the Arts Council Korea on the 14th in recognition of the social contribution of the “Porsche Do Dream” CSR campaign. Through this award, Porsche Korea was recognized for its sincere projects to create a sustainable cultural and artistic environment based on the brand's values of 'dream' and 'passion'. Earlier this year, Porsche Korea expanded the scope of support of the 'Porsche Do Dream' campaign to the field of culture and art and donated 500 million KRW to the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space’ became the first case of diversifying the financial resources for the culture and arts ecosystem by supporting approximately 500 artists in the performing arts industry, which has been under severe constraint following the necessary social distancing regulations. Also, through the public art project 'Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi', a collaboration between Seoul's eco-friendly public bicycle 'Ttareungi' and a young Seoul designer, Porsche Korea provides opportunities for citizens to enjoy art in their daily lives and contributed to the creation of an eco-friendly art city. Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann expressed his gratitude at the acceptance speech, “Porsche breaks new ground based on the dream of the perfect sports car and shares with the artists the dream of creating something unique.” He also added, “To keep this dream alive we want to support artists in different forms and formats and contribute to the diversity of art in Korea.” Chairman Park Jong-gwan of the Arts Council stated, "I would like to congratulate and thank the supporters who shared and appreciated the value of culture and arts despite the difficult circumstances." The ‘2021 Arts Supporter Grand Prize’, celebrating its 9th anniversary, awards companies and individuals that have taken the lead in art sponsorship over the year. 7 companies and 3 individual recipients were selected from a total of 8 categories through professional evaluations. Porsche Korea was awarded in the category of small-middle market enterprise.
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North 6th Agency Donates More Than $50,000 to Charities Through #Pitching4Purpose Initiative
North 6th Agency (N6A), The Outcome Relations Agency™owned by North Sixth Group, LLC, a family office holding company with a vision to invest in passion, purpose and progress, announced today that it has donated more than $50,000 to non-profit organizations since the launch of its #Pitching4Purpose initiative in November 2019. Each month, the communications firm tallies the total number of client results secured across the agency, which includes everything from digital and print articles to broadcast, radio, and podcast segments, and reflects those results in donations to a selected charity. On average, the company has secured more than 100 pieces of coverage each month across its clients, resulting in an average of $2,000 made in donations each month. “Amid an unprecedented year that included a global pandemic, skyrocketing unemployment, and political unrest, we found that it is more important than ever to come together and support each other through charity and community service,” said Daniela Mancinelli, CEO of N6A. “We have always had a results-driven team at N6A, and we launched this initiative as a way for the agency to back-up its hard work with actions that impact positive change. All of the charities and organizations are selected by our employees and hold a meaningful place in the hearts and minds of our staff, clients, and colleagues. It has been extremely faith-restoring to see how the team has rallied behind each cause.” In addition to donating to national charities, including the American Cancer Society, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Meals on Wheels, N6A staff chose to reward the following non-profits: WIN Foundation: The WIN Foundation was founded to accomplish the mission of supporting individuals & families in addiction recovery Unity Performing Arts Foundation: Provides urban and suburban youth in Fort Wayne a unique artistic platform where they can study music, dance, drama, singing, and creative writing. Black Visions Collective: an American non-profit organization for black liberation based in Minnesota. The group intersects with transgender and LGBTQ communities. Data for Black Life: a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of using data and technology to make concrete change in the lives of Black people. Equal Justice Initiative: EJI provides legal representation to prisoners who may have been wrongly convicted of crimes, poor prisoners without effective representation, and others who may have been denied a fair trial. Operation Backpack®: Provides grade-specific school supplies to students living in New York City homeless or domestic violence shelters. The Loveland Foundation®: Provides Black women and girls therapy support, primarily mental health therapy. Second Chance Rescue NYC: A non-profit organization with the mission is to reduce animal overpopulation in shelters, rescue and rehabilitate critically injured and neglected animals, and connect the community to services that enable animals to remain in their homes. Welcome to Chinatown: A non-profit organization amplifying and addressing the critical needs of our community and its entrepreneurs. The “I Love U Guys” Foundation: Serves the lives of students, administrators, public safety experts, families, and first responders through the development and training of school and community safety and family reunification programs. The Trevor Project: The premier organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ teens and young adults. Tuesday's Children and Angels for Afghanistan: Provides a lifetime of healing for families of fallen soldiers and others who have been forever changed by terrorism, military conflict or mass violence. Lauren Nicole Rizzetta Fund: Provides students enrolled in special education programs below a certain household income with fully-paid costs for much-needed resources, including technology, curriculum and social and emotional educational development tools. Lisa Marzullo Fly Again Foundation: an organization dedicated to providing hope to those 40-and-under diagnosed with breast cancer and currently in treatment by giving them a personalized trip to their dream destination. “Given the success of the #Pitching4Purpose initiative over the past two years, we plan to continue our efforts through 2022 and look forward to seeing the impact that we can make on the community,” said Mancinelli. For more information on N6A, please visit www.N6A.com
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MAP International Listed as a Top 10 Charity by Charity Navigator
MAP International, a global health nonprofit organization that is known for their efficient and trustworthy financial practices, has been listed on Charity Navigator’s list “10 of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of.” With their 4-star rating (the highest rating awarded by Charity Navigator) and their perfect score of 100, MAP International topped the list, holding the highest rank out of the 10 organizations included on the list. Charity Navigator is the largest charity assessment organization in the U.S., providing donors with insights into a nonprofit’s financial accountability and transparency. The organizations on this list “became household names in part because of their exceptional financial management,” Charity Navigator explains. “Charitable givers should feel confident that these national institutions put their donations to good use.” “We are thrilled that MAP International is ranked first on Charity Navigator’s ‘Top 10 of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard of’ list,” says Steve Stirling, President and CEO of MAP International. “Our staff works tirelessly to ensure that every dollar we receive from donors is used efficiently to do the most good for those in need, and we will continue to give our best so that the most vulnerable among us might have the chance to live life to the fullest.” MAP International has received consistently high rankings from Charity Navigator in the past, and earlier this year the organization was also included as a “COVID-19 Top Nonprofit” because of their thorough and continued relief response efforts during the pandemic. Charity Navigator listed MAP International as one of the top 6 organizations that they encourage donors to support under the “Relief Supplies” category. To see MAP International ranked on Charity Navigator’s “Top 10” lists, go to www.charitynavigator.org. To learn more about MAP International and to support their mission, visit www.map.org
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100 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN KING AND PIERCE COUNTIES AWARDED A TOTAL OF $1 MILLION THROUGH COMCAST RISE
Comcast today announced it will award $1 million in total grants as well as technology and marketing resources to more than 100 small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce Counties. The recipients are among nearly 6,700 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected through the Comcast RISE program, which provides marketing, technology, and capital support to small business owners. To further build on the program’s success and provide support to even more small businesses, Comcast also announced today a major expansion to eligibility, enabling all women-owned small businesses nationwide to apply. This expansion recognizes and seeks to help address the persistent inequities women continue to face in accessing the resources and funding that are critical to success. Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, initially launched as a response to help small businesses owners of color hardest hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to focus on uplifting small businesses, ensuring they continue to prosper in an ever-shifting post-pandemic economy. With today’s announcement, 100 selected businesses in King and Pierce Counties will each receive a $10,000 grant. Additional small businesses will receive marketing or technology support such as a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity services from Comcast Business. A complete list of the 100 Comcast RISE grant recipients in King and Pierce Counties is available at: https://washington.comcast.com/. Some of those recipients are already making plans with how to leverage the grant to improve their business. “This grant is like a new beginning for my business after the struggles of the pandemic,” shared Michael Douangluxay-Cloud of Mainasty Productions, which produces short films, feature films, web series, podcasts, and commercials with a focus on People of color narratives. “I can’t wait to be able to explore my ideas and be able to take risks to take our business to the next level.” “For us at Mediums Collective, the Comcast RISE Grant represents hope, equity, and economic growth for ourselves and our community,” added Roger Maldonado, Mediums Collective founder. “This grant will serve as motivation for us to continue putting in the work and becoming industry leaders. As a minority-owned business, we often face many systemic barriers when it comes to accessing capital. To know that companies are stepping up and providing financial opportunities is movement in the right direction” “We know that there is an immense and ongoing need to support small businesses, especially when those businesses represent some of the most marginalized communities. GSBA has been committed to actively promoting the Comcast RISE program to our members and to local small businesses owned by people of color to connect them with this much-needed help,” said Mark Rosen, Acting President & CEO, GSBA. “This kind of work helps us all move the mission to build a more just and equitable society and we thank Comcast for their partnership and collaboration to make a difference.” “As we continue to rebuild and emerge from the effects of the pandemic, small businesses will continue to be the backbone of our economy – and we must take every opportunity to help them thrive,” said Teresa Ward-Maupin, Senior Vice President, Digital and Customer Experience, Comcast Business. “Looking forward, this expansion will enable Comcast RISE to further empower and strengthen even more small businesses that are the heart of our local communities across the country.” In the year since its inception, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $11 million in grants and $50 million in in-kind support for marketing and technology services, impacting more than 6,700 entrepreneurs of color in 432 cities across 34 states. By the end of 2022, 13,000 businesses across the country are expected to benefit from the Comcast RISE initiative, either through the grant program or from the resources provided through Effectv and Comcast Business. In addition to the financial and business support services provided, a key part of the program is ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses. To help address this, Comcast invests in and partners with organizations such as Ureeka to provide ongoing mentorship and resources to help small businesses succeed over the long-term. Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The program will continue to be open to racially and ethnically diverse small business owners and the expanded Comcast RISE eligibility to all women-owned businesses will be effective on January 16, 2022. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com
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100 Houstonians in Harris and Ft. Bend Counties Awarded a Total of $1 Million Through Comcast RISE
Comcast today announced the 100 recipients of the Comcast Rise Investment Fund grants. Each small business will receive a one-time $10,000 grant from the fund. More than 100 businesses in the area will also receive technology and marketing resources. The recipients are among nearly 6,700 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected through the Comcast RISE program, which provides marketing, technology, and capital support to small business owners. “We are proud of all of our small businesses, the impact they have in Fort Bend County is invaluable. Many of our business owners, particularly our minority owned businesses, have faced unprecedented challenges over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and require a wide range of support to help their businesses survive,” stated Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “The Comcast Rise Investment Fund Grant provides these business owners with the critical financial lifeline and the resources needed so they can sustain and grow their businesses.” Through Comcast RISE, the company also announced it is on track to support 13,000 small businesses by the end of the year with marketing or technology support such as a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity services from Comcast Business. “Since we launched Comcast RISE a year ago, we have assisted more than 200 small businesses throughout the Houston area with either marketing, technology, or monetary grants. This round of Comcast RISE grants will provide even more small business owners of color with the resources and tools they need to thrive,” said Ralph Martinez, senior vice president for Comcast’s Houston region. “We look forward to empowering their success.” To further build on the program’s success and provide support to even more small businesses, Comcast also announced today a major expansion to eligibility, enabling all women-owned small businesses nationwide to apply. This expansion recognizes and seeks to help address the persistent inequities women continue to face in accessing the resources and funding that are critical to success. Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, initially launched as a response to help small businesses owners of color hardest hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to focus on uplifting small businesses, ensuring they continue to prosper in an ever-shifting post-pandemic economy. “As we continue to rebuild and emerge from the effects of the pandemic, small businesses will continue to be the backbone of our economy – and we must take every opportunity to help them thrive,” said Dave Watson, President and CEO, Comcast Cable. “Looking forward, this expansion will enable Comcast RISE to further empower and strengthen even more small businesses that are the heart of our local communities across the country.” In the year since its inception, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $11 million in grants and $50 million in in-kind support for marketing and technology services, impacting more than 6,700 entrepreneurs of color in 432 cities across 34 states. By the end of 2022, 13,000 businesses across the country are expected to benefit from the Comcast RISE initiative, either through the grant program or from the resources provided through Effectv and Comcast Business. In addition to the financial and business support services provided, a key part of the program is ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses. To help address this, Comcast invests in and partners with organizations such as Ureeka to provide ongoing mentorship and resources to help small businesses succeed over the long-term. Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The program will continue to be open to racially and ethnically diverse small business owners and the expanded Comcast RISE eligibility to all women-owned businesses will be effective on January 16, 2022. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. To help drive outreach and awareness about Comcast RISE and provide additional support, training and mentorship, Comcast has also awarded $50,000 in grants to local community partners – Houston Hispanic Chamber, Houston Black Chamber, Empresarios Latinos Foundation, Houston LGBT Chamber, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Women’s Foundation and East End Chamber of Commerce.
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100 Small Businesses Owned by People of Color in Oakland Awarded a $10,000 Grant from Comcast RISE Totaling $1 Million
Comcast today announced it will award $1 million in total grants as well as technology and marketing resources to 100 Oakland small businesses owned by people of color. The recipients are among nearly 6,700 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected through the Comcast RISE program, which provides marketing, technology, and capital support to small business owners. To further build on the program’s success and provide support to even more small businesses, Comcast also announced today a major expansion to eligibility, enabling all women-owned small businesses nationwide to apply. This expansion recognizes and seeks to help address the persistent inequities women continue to face in accessing the resources and funding that are critical to success. Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, initially launched as a response to help small businesses owners of color hardest hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to focus on uplifting small businesses, ensuring they continue to prosper in an ever-shifting post-pandemic economy. “The pandemic had a huge negative impact on our business. We had to shut our doors for several months and once we re-opened there wasn’t a lot of foot traffic here in downtown Oakland. We applied for several loans, but all were rejected,” said Viviana Rodriguez-Smith, co-owner of E14 Gallery in Old Oakland and one of the 100 RISE recipients. “The $10,000 grant from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund is giving me peace of mind. It will allow me to buy more inventory and continue collaborating with other artists in Oakland.” “As we continue to rebuild and emerge from the effects of the pandemic, small businesses will continue to be the backbone of our economy – and we must take every opportunity to help them thrive,” said Dave Watson, President and CEO, Comcast Cable. “Looking forward, this expansion will enable Comcast RISE to further empower and strengthen even more small businesses that are the heart of our local communities across the country.” In the year since its inception, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $11 million in grants and $50 million in in-kind support for marketing and technology services, impacting more than 6,700 entrepreneurs of color in 432 cities across 34 states. By the end of 2022, 13,000 businesses across the country are expected to benefit from the Comcast RISE initiative, either through the grant program or from the resources provided through Effectv and Comcast Business. In addition to the financial and business support services provided, a key part of the program is ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses. To help address this, Comcast invests in and partners with organizations such as Ureeka to provide ongoing mentorship and resources to help small businesses succeed over the long-term. Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The program will continue to be open to racially and ethnically diverse small business owners and the expanded Comcast RISE eligibility to all women-owned businesses will be effective on January 16, 2022. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com
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Comcast Partners with Operation Military Family, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Comcast announced partnerships with three military community organizations in Washington state. In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, the company donated $60,000 and 150 laptops to Operation Military Family, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The donations are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. According to research by the Army University Press, many American military Veterans face challenges with digital equity, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comcast’s donations will help Veterans access technology integral for career advancement and social connection. These donations are part of Comcast's continued dedication to supporting Veterans and their families nationwide, in several ways. Since 2011, Comcast has donated more than $191 million in cash and in-kind contributions to military community organizations. “Our partnership with Comcast goes beyond just a monetary donation. Comcast is committed to helping Veterans access the technology they need for career and social success in the modern digital landscape,” said Mike Schindler, CEO of Operation Military Family. “These donations will allow our Veterans with mobility, adaptive, or accessible concerns obtain equipment and resources for those that have a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) or diseases such as MS or ALS, their families, who we serve, advance in training, their careers, and personal lives. Technology and the ability to use it to its fullest potential is imperative for Veterans with a SCI or disease, and we appreciate Comcast’s dedication to technology support,” said Matthew Mickunas, President, Northwest Paralyzed Veterans of America, Washington State. “Our long-term partnership with Comcast is one of our strongest corporate partnerships in Washington. Their support has and will continue to be a powerful asset to Veterans across the state,” said Lourdes E. “Alfie” Alvarado-Ramos, director Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. “We’re honored to partner with military community organizations that make powerful impacts with Veterans across the state of Washington. These organizations help them build digital equity at a time when it has never been more important,” said Carla Carrell, External Affairs Director for Comcast in Washington. Comcast employs more than 17,000 Veterans, National Guard and reserve service members, and military spouses. In 2020, the company was ranked number one on Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Employers list.” Comcast’s tradition of hiring and supporting the military community started with Ralph Roberts, the company founder and World War II U.S. Navy Veteran. Comcast puts significant effort into supporting military Veterans and their families at all stages of their careers, which led to Comcast being named a Gold-level Military Friendly® Employer and a Military Friendly® Spouse Employer by Victory Media.
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Porsche Korea Unveils its Public Art and Sustainable Mobility Project ‘Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi’
Porsche Korea (Holger Gerrmann, CEO of Porsche Korea Ltd.) unveiled the design of the public art project, ‘Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi’, on 365 Seoul City bikes 'Ttareungi', to the public on November 15th, 2021. 365 units of the ‘Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi’, symbolically offer the possibility to ride daily one art-bike over 1 year or 365 days. They can be easily accessed by Seoul citizens and visitors through the same process as the existing ‘Ttareungi’ service. This project, which was organised by Porsche Korea and the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Cul-ture (Changgi Lee, CEO) under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is a public art project con-ducted through an open art and design contest. It was initiated to provide opportunities for citi-zens to enjoy art in their daily lives, and to contribute to the development of an eco-friendly art city by promoting the use of public bicycles in Seoul. At the ceremony of the ‘Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi’ at Cheonggye Plaza, CEO of Porsche Ko-rea Holger Gerrmann, Chairman of the board of Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture Sangwon Park, CEO of Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture Changgi Lee, Seoul City Ambassador Daniel Lindemann, and the winner of the design contest, Kippeum Park, attended and rode the ‘Art Ttareungi’ bicycles. CEO of Porsche Korea Holger Gerrmann stated, “We are delighted to introduce ‘Porsche Dream Art Ttareungi’ as an eco-friendly public artwork by adding artistic imagination to the existing ‘Ttareungi’ bicycles.” He also added, “Porsche is inspired by the dream of the perfect sports car and with the ‘Dream Art Ttareungi’ project, we want to inspire Seoul citizens in their daily lives regardless of whether they are leisurely moving through the beautiful Seoul city or travelling the last mile.” ‘Moa Moa’ by Kippeum Park, selected as the winner of the ‘Art Ttareungi’ contest, is a design inspired by ‘jogakbo’, a patchwork of colourful pieces of cloth, emphasizing Korea’s unique tra-ditional crafts and symbolising that ‘small forces can gather to exert great strength’. During the design process, the work was completed with advice from domestic and foreign experts, in-cluding Roland Heiler, chief executive officer and chief designer of the Porsche Design Studio. Kippeum Park stated, "It is an honour to have the pattern I personally designed directly reflected in 'Ttareungi', a public bicycle that everyone enjoys." She also added, "Focusing on the value of ‘Ttareungi’ as the bicycle representing Seoul, I tried my best to capture the traditional beauty of Korea and portray it onto the design." Meanwhile, Porsche Korea provided a total of 300 million KRW in donations through the 'Dream Art Ttareungi' public art project. In addition, the company has donated 200 million KRW through the ‘Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space’, which supports the continuous creative activities of performing arts organizations and artists directly affected by COVID-19. Porsche Korea plans to continue its support in various ways to help create a sustainable environment for the culture and art.
