![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
In my travels around the country while building my business I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the greatest community volunteers in our nation. I never missed an opportunity to meet community leaders and learn all I could about every market my company franchised in. One event in particular was a standout; the Austin's Annual Charity Event with KVET.
Part of my mission statement in my company was always to give back to the communities we serve and to be a community based company. I urge all business entrepreneurs to think like this. We are always interested in ways we can help the communities that our team serves. It is for that reason I joined 10's of thousands of others in the Austin Charity Event. When President Bush suggested that all American's put in their 2000 hours, that was not lip service, he meant it. So when we found out that KVET of Austin, Texas and the Highland Mall were putting on this event, we decided to find out which charities were their to receive the many Texans who came to volunteer their time and what our local franchisee could do to help, how we might offer our services or time to help the community.
I wanted to personally thank the Program Director at KVET, a Channel Communications Station and M. Darlene Corum the Retail Marketing Coordinator for Highland Mall in Austin for organizing an event, which every single community in the nation should put on at least twice per year. Who was there; all the local charities, which serve the community day in and day out. As many know funds are in short supply now as the economy has not fully arrived at its natural strength, there is less money to go around.
We talked with some of the most potentially devastating issues of the near future with the spread of AIDS and other serious illnesses. There on hand was a very knowledgeable group of people with Interfaith Care Alliance. We talked with Violet Leos, the Community Resource Director for the Austin Girl Scouts and volunteered our car wash fundraiser services. We made sure to point out that we did not want to replace their number one fundraiser The Delicious Girl Scouts Cookies (especially Chocolate Mints), but if they needed help in a car wash fundraiser to give us a call since I run a carwash business.
Other National Organizations with big local Austin representation were the Salvation Army, always out in force during the holidays, The United Way promoting their seasonal Angel Tree, United States Marine Corp's "Toys for Tots" program and Safe Place for domestic violence and sexual abuse victims. Our company has been active with the Safe Place groups in AZ and NV.
We were very happy to see the Austin State School, which helps mentally retarded adults in training, social services and medical care, this is so important that we do not forget them in our society. Also next to them was the Austin Children's Shelter, which provides emergency shelter and high quality care and a hope for the future for our abandoned kids in the Austin Community. Speaking of Kids, a great program called Insure-a-Kid was present helping kids who need health care insurance, and we would personally like to thank Michael Dell, Founder of Dell Computers for his extremely active role in getting this one off the ground. This is an incredible program and it is our belief this should be duplicated whoever possible, great program, good people and inspirational story of leadership and creativity in the midst of adversity, WOW.
Children's Advocacy Center was there talking about what is being done about something no one wants to talk about, child abuse cases and it's effect on kids. Very heavy subject and extremely dedicated people, a real tear jerker and they are there for the kids and were actively recruiting volunteers and promoting awareness.
Real everyday family issues were there in force also, including; Literacy Austin, teaching people to read, write and speak English; Live in the Game, providing fifth grade girls with adult female mentors; RIF-Reading Is Fundamental, motivating kids to read books; and Capitol Area Homeless Alliance, a day shelter for the homeless and yes the Bush's have volunteered to work in the food lines before and the people there made it clear Austin is serious about find the necessary means to help those people on the street transition into both employment and housing. Also on scene was Lone Star Equine Rescue, which helps improve the lives of equines throughout Texas and neighboring states.
We would like to tell every one how great it was to see Americans sign up to volunteer and do their part, to put in their 2000 hours. And we too felt proud volunteering our team to car wash fundraisers to help the kids groups. We are all in this together; we should never forget that. I urge every American and every small business model to seek out ways you can give back to your city or town and promote an ownership type community. You will be leading by example and doing what's right for the betterment of mankind and the future of your community. Volunteer and even if your town does not have such an awesome event, seek out ways to help. Maybe you can organize all the non-profit service clubs in your town and get others to volunteer too. Think on it.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
Would you like to be the next Dr. Phil, Suze... Read More
Powerful is a strong word. But it fits here. As... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
It's the time of year when calendars crowd out the... Read More
Media interviews are an important part of an overall public... Read More
The least expensive, most effective way for you to promote... Read More
When most people think about marketing, they think advertising. While... Read More
You know, where you do something positive about the behaviors... Read More
A few weeks ago I was participating on an on-line... Read More
Wherever the fundamental premise of public relations is practiced.Look at... Read More
The next time a newspaper photographer takes your photo, remember... Read More
If you're serious about getting great results from your PR... Read More
Publicity is an important and often overlooked tool of creative... Read More
Sure. What else do you call a human discipline whose... Read More
Have you ever noticed that when someone is interviewed on... Read More
There's a dirty little secret about press releases that the... Read More
So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations... Read More
Question: Why should your business issue a press release? Answer:... Read More
Ideally, you will have two types of quotes in your... Read More
Even after a nice piece in a national publication, or... Read More
Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More
It doesn't matter how cruel the reality programs get, there... Read More
You thought of it, you researched it, you wrote it.... Read More
Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out... Read More
Recently someone asked me why so many restaurants go out... Read More
Publicity is obtaining editorial coverage or features for your business.... Read More
In a media interview, always stick to your main points... Read More
Public relations is all about credibility and trustworthiness. If you... Read More
Early in my career as a public relations consultant, I... Read More
Better check out the public relations fundamental premise, then take... Read More
I've worked in media and public relations for 20 years,... Read More
Sorry about my otaku with this issue (otaku = more... Read More
When you should send samples with your press release:1) When... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
Why You Should Write Press Releases: A press release is... Read More
Tis' the season for business and corporate gift-giving! If you... Read More
A great way to celebrate your achievements and capitalize on... Read More
FIVE WAYS TO GET ON THE RADIOHere are five basic... Read More
You've heard "them" say it, haven't you?By "them" I mean... Read More
A press release telling about "Stevie, the Water-Skiing Squirrel" will... Read More
A new public relations blueprint could be a good idea... Read More
NOTE: Brad Phillips was a Producer for CNN's The Capital... Read More
There are many ways you can get tons of free... Read More
It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business,... Read More
They say that image is everything and some of us... Read More
Even after a nice piece in a national publication, or... Read More
Southern grandmothers have often said, "there are only three... Read More
For financial planners, getting publicity, in the end, isn't about... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
Public Relations Public Relations |