The National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Impacts in the United States concludes that warmer and drier conditions have already contributed to increasing wildfire events across the western United States, and future increases are projected in some regions. Already this year, there have been over 44,000 wildfires that have damaged or destroyed almost 8.5 million acres. Long periods of record high temperatures are associated with droughts that contribute to dry conditions and drive wildfires in some areas.
USDA Secretary Vilsack recently stated, “This year, we are experiencing yet another devastating wildfire season, particularly in the drought-ravaged West. Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of unprecedented wildfire in America's forests and rangelands, which impacts the safety of people, homes and communities. Development close to forests has also increased the threat to property, with more than 46 million homes in the United States, or about 40 percent of our nation's housing, potentially at risk from wildfire.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607931-fema-national-prepareathon/
Goodwill Industries International is teaming up with Sony Pictures Entertainment for the release of the animated film, Hotel Transylvania 2, to encourage people across the United States and Canada to do their Halloween shopping at Goodwill’s more than 3,000 stores or online at shopgoodwill.com®. Goodwill and Sony Pictures unite with the message, “Be Your Own Monster,” urging consumers to make Goodwill their Halloween Headquarters for creating unique, affordable costumes -- even costumes based on one of the movie’s characters, such as Dracula, Mavis or Frank. When costume seekers shop at Goodwill, they help people in their communities get job training, earn jobs and access other community-based services. Sony Pictures Animation’s “Hotel Transylvania 2” will be released in theaters nationwide on Friday, September 25, 2015.
The partnership includes a radio and television campaign, which will join the Goodwill brand with the world of “Hotel Transylvania 2.” Characters from the film are featured in the ads, encouraging people to shop at Goodwill for Halloween. There will also be partnership events in up to 50 markets across the nation. Shoppers can support Goodwill by making it their go-to Halloween destination, and the revenues from their purchases will help fund employment services in their local communities. Visit goodwill.org/Halloween to learn more about local partnership events, to generate costume ideas and more.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7057251-goodwill-sony-pictures-unemployment/
Children with physical disabilities are twice as likely to be bullied, impacting their educational, physical and emotional development.* In support of National Bullying Prevention Month this October, Shriners Hospitals for Children® and award-winning actor, model and philanthropist, RJ Mitte, are once again partnering to encourage the public to help #CutTheBull.
Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit CutTheBull.org and see how they can help create a more positive, accepting environment for kids living with disabilities. There, Shriners Hospitals will announce “RJ's Heroes”, honoring individuals who have helped reduce bullying in their communities. Supporters can also share their anti-bullying stories and purchase #CutTheBull t-shirts, with proceeds going to Shriners Hospitals for Children to provide life-changing care to kids.
Born with cerebral palsy, Mitte was bullied as a child and knows firsthand the effects it can have. The doctors and staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children helped Mitte overcome many of the physical effects of cerebral palsy, which made him stronger and able to succeed despite the bullying. Now a successful actor and model, Mitte wants to help other kids with disabilities who may be experiencing the same thing.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7559151-shriners-hospital-cut-the-bull/
Today, GENYOUth announced the launch of Fuel Up to Play 60 en español, an evolution of its national flagship program. The program encourages Spanish-speaking communities nationwide to live healthier lifestyles through good nutrition and physical activity. Fuel Up to Play 60 launched a redesigned website (FuelUpToPlay60.com) that provides Spanish-language content and materials, extending the reach and access of the program to students, teachers and families across the country. Several organizations have supported the effort, including the PepsiCo Foundation, which has provided a previously announced grant of $550,000 to develop Spanish-language materials and resources. In addition the PepsiCo Foundation will provide another $100,000 for mini-grants for health and wellness activities and programming within Los Angeles Unified School District and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Fuel Up to Play 60, a program founded by the National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive nutrition and physical activity changes for themselves, their schools and their communities. Studies show that physical fitness may benefit brain health and academic performance, suggesting active kids may do better. However, only 1 in 3 kids are active every day, potentially leaving many at a disadvantage inside and outside of the classroom.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7646551-fuel-up-to-play-60/
Huawei today opened the 2nd Global Services Forum in Zurich, Switzerland. Under the theme of Re-architecting Infrastructure and Operations for New Growth, the two-day event brings together more than 300 guests from leading global carriers, standards organizations, open source communities, analyst institutions, partners, and media outlets. The forum this year is aiming at sharing experiences, innovations, best practices, and thought leadership to advance new growth on the journey of re-architecting operating model and ICT infrastructure in the fast changing digital era.
Eric Xu, Huawei’s Rotating and Acting CEO, delivered an opening speech titled A Shift in Mindset towards Customer Experience-driven Operations. In his speech, Xu explained the change of customer experience and how this change has influenced the ways carriers transform their operations and infrastructure.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7621151-huawei-global-services-forum/
Union Pacific Railroad this week launched a new campaign exclusively on social media, urging drivers and pedestrians to think about their personal safety first and wait at grade crossings. New videos depict different scenarios in which a jogger, young couple and father and son are stopped, waiting for a train to pass. When the arms lift, each proceeds safely toward a spectacular future.
“Our message is straightforward – Your Life is Worth the Wait,” said Scott Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president – Corporate Relations. “Union Pacific trains operate in more than 7,300 communities; too often our employees see drivers or pedestrians sneak around the gates. Even after applying the emergency brakes, it can take a mile for a train to stop; the risk is never worth it.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7508251-union-pacific-your-life-is-worth-the-wait/
If there’s one thing that socially responsible businesses have learned, it’s that they can’t go at it alone. Whether it’s implementing responsible sourcing initiatives or creating a positive corporate model to make an impact on sustainability, there is strength in numbers. So where did Ben & Jerry’s turn for help and inspiration for its latest ice cream flavor? Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing. Never has the phrase “polishing off a pint” been so perfectly poised in any partnership for a delicious double-entendre.
Collectively committed to making a better impact in their global communities, the two B Corp companies proudly introduced Salted Caramel Brown-ie Ale ice cream, which will be featured in Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops as well as in pints across the country as a Limited Batch flavor this fall (MSRP $4.89). The concoction consists of New Belgium Brown Ale Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Swirls and Fudge Brownies. The ice cream, arriving on shelves this month, was unveiled Wednesday evening at a Washington D.C. launch “Brew-Ha-Ha” in the confines of the historic Howard Theatre. The launch event was heralded as “a night of music, climate activism, beer, and ice cream.” Musicians Galactic and Dr. Dog performed at the unveiling of Ben & Jerry’s newest ice cream flavor to highlight climate activism.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7648451-ben-and-jerry-s-new-belgium-brewery/
The period between Christmas and New Year’s typically has one of the highest rates of impaired driving fatalities, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In an effort to reduce drunk and buzzed driving related incidents during the holidays, NHTSA, the Ad Council and the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) launched their 12th annual “Project Roadblock: Local TV Puts the Brakes on Drunk Driving.”
Project Roadblock was created in 2004 in support of NHTSA and the Ad Council’s Buzzed Driving Prevention public service advertising (PSA) campaign. To date, broadcast TV stations across the nation have donated more than $40 million in media to support this effort. The partnership aims to unite local television stations in creating a nationwide advertising roadblock by airing Project Roadblock PSAs (Public Service Announcements) between December 26 and December 31. Local broadcast stations voluntarily participate in the campaign by donating on-air, online and mobile time and space with a special push at 10 p.m. local time on New Year’s Eve. In addition, TV stations will be reaching out to their communities on social media to share social graphics and messaging to further reach audiences.
“Drunk driving remains a serious threat on our roads and claims more than 10,000 lives a year,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. ”Local broadcast television is an effective tool in reaching consumers, and we thank the TVB, all the stations, and the Ad Council for their ongoing support of drunk driving prevention, especially during the holiday season.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7701751-ad-council-nhtsa-buzzed-driving-psa/
The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to give thanks and to give back to youth who are facing challenges within our communities. In days of uncertainty, there are still people who are providing direction and mentoring to high-risk youth to help them succeed in spite of the unfortunate circumstances they may have encountered. Many studies indicate that a young person’s success can be greatly enhanced by an advocate or mentor — an adult who consistently helps a young person stay on track to graduate and make better life choices. Goodwill’s GoodGuides program is the source of many modern-day mentoring success stories.
The GoodGuides program provides mentoring to youth, ages 12–17, who are at risk of dropping out of school and/or falling into delinquency. The program helps them finish school, transition into the world of work and prepare for success by pairing them with trusted adult volunteer mentors. Mentors help youth overcome disadvantages such as failure in school due to poor grades or low attendance, or avoid delinquency due to issues such as abuse, disability, drug or alcohol dependence, family violence or gang membership.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7057252-goodwill-givegoodwill-campaign/
Approximately one year after leading roof window manufacturer VELUX Group joined forces with social business Little Sun and NGO Plan International, launching a design competition to bring clean, sustainable light to Africa, the first solar lamps have now arrived on African soil.
The VELUX Natural Light International Design Competition received 172 proposals from 65 countries. A high-level jury of experts in the fields of architecture, art and design subsequently selected the winning design, by Mariana Arando and Luca Fondello of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their solar lamp design was inspired by the way light can bring people together.
The VELUX Group has so far produced and donated 14,500 of the solar-powered lamps, and 150 local sales agents are now being trained in how to sell the lamps in off-grid communities in Senegal, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The training combines workshops, roleplay, demonstrations, and group work.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7724551-velux-natural-light-solar-lamps-in-africa/
General Mills announces its 150th birthday today with plans for a year-long celebration. To celebrate its impact on a century and a half of food around the world, General Mills will share and highlight nostalgic food memorabilia from its historical archives. And honoring its journey of developing leading brands, life-changing inventions and cultural icons, General Mills is pledging “a future of continued innovation – and striving to help make its communities and the world a better place.”
“Ours is a rich history,” said Ken Powell, chairman and chief executive of General Mills. “Morning, noon and night, for 150 years, General Mills has served the world by making food people love. Today we proudly bring quality foods and leading brands to people in 130 countries around the world – and we’re especially excited about all we will do in our next 150 years.”
To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7728051-general-mills-150-th-birthday/
For the next six weeks, America’s PrepareAthon! and other preparedness partners will focus on various hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This first week highlights floods. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking easy steps to prepare for floods and other disasters.
America’s PrepareAthon!℠ is a grassroots, community-based campaign for action to get families, organizations, and entire communities better prepared for floods and other emergencies.
According to the National Weather Service, flooding, which can occur anywhere in America, proved to be the most costly hazard in 2015, exceeding $2.7 billion in damages.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/#release
