logo
Healthy Savannah celebrates 18th anniversary

Healthy Savannah celebrates 18th anniversary

Yahoo30-04-2025

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – On Tuesday, Healthy Savannah celebrated its 18th anniversary at the Charles H. Morris Center in Savannah. The non-profit organization is known locally and nationally for championing a culture of health in Savannah and Chatham County.
During the breakfast event, Healthy Savannah bestowed its 2025 Health Innovation Award to St. Philip AME Church.
'We're long-time partners with St. Philip AME Church, and we constantly look for opportunities to collaborate more,' said Armand Turner, Healthy Savannah's executive director. 'They did a phenomenal job over the past year putting action to their FAN training program and we're proud they were selected for this award by the Healthy Savannah Board.'
PAST HEALTH INNOVATION AWARDS RECIPIENTS:2023: Loop it Up Savannah2021: Nandi Marshall, PhD: Savannah H.O.P.E Project (Breastfeeding)2019: Everybody Eats Fresh Free Fridays2017: Savannah Bicycle Campaign – New Standard Cycles Program2015: Forsyth Farmers Market
St Philip AME Church was founded in 1865. In 2019, its members and leadership established the Faith, Activity and Nutrition (FAN) Ministry. The church also hosts a growing number of health-focused events, including an annual health fair.
These nominees for the 2025 Health Innovation Award were also recognized for their significant contributions to Healthy Savannah:
Naturals2Go
Memorial Health
The Tiny Beet
Dance Savannah Elite
Healthy Savannah additionally presented the Dennis Hutton Spirit Award in support of a community or school garden to the Holly Heights Community Garden. Anthony Lonon, neighborhood president, received the award on behalf of the grassroots organization.
'Racial equity is not about excluding other groups, it is about transforming behaviors,' said Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD, during his keynote address to the approximately 130 partners and advocates gathered for the event.
'Urban planning has been weaponized as a tool of oppression within society,' said Brown, noting a situation he calls 'highway robbery,' where historically Black communities have been divided by road construction projects, such as the I-16 flyover into downtown Savannah. Brown also pointed out how racial residential segregation continues to prevail in major cities such as Atlanta, Detroit and Washington D.C. but said this is the time to look at zoning and land use policies and do something about those disparities.
'History doesn't say goodbye,' Brown said. 'History says see you later. I came here because I believe in the collective power here, because I believe Savannah's future is different than its past.'
Healthy Savannah was founded in 2007 as an initiative of the City of Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, PhD. The initiative has built a collaborative network of partnerships and led initiatives to create environments that make a healthy choice the easy choice.
'Healthy Savannah has broadened to include so many different things we didn't even think about when we were creating this organization,' said Johnson. 'It's just so wonderful after 18 years that it's going strong and growing.'
Some of the milestones Healthy Savannah has championed or developed over the years include:
2011: Supported the 'Breathe Easy Savannah' campaign, which resulted in the passage of Savannah's Smoke-Free Air Act of 2010 ordinance, which prohibits smoking in restaurants and stores. This has led to a significant reduction in heart attacks reported in the community since the ordinance's implementation.
2014: After being awarded the Healthcare Georgia Foundation's Childhood Obesity Grant, supported healthier meals in local schools, recognizing that giving children a healthier start in life leads to better long-term health outcomes and a stronger, more vibrant community.
2014: Launched the Faith and Health Coalition to support Chatham County's faith-based organizations as they encourage a culture of health among their members and the community; began offering the annual Faith Walk in 2023, featuring health resources and giveaways, and fun games for kids.
2015: Supported the passing of the Complete Streets ordinances in Savannah and unincorporated Chatham County; partnering with Friends of the Tide to Town in support of Savannah and Chatham County's Urban Trail System; and championing the construction of the Truman Linear Park Trail, at the heart of Savannah and Chatham County's Urban Trail System.
2018 & 2023: With partners including the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition, Healthy Savannah was awarded more than $9 million in grant funding for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grants by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to seek upstream solutions to public health challenges.
2020: Launched 'Healthy Walks' during the early days of COVID isolation. The popular walks continue to be a healthy way to explore parks and trails and meet new friends.
2021: Launched the Community Health Advocate program, which mobilizes members of the community to discuss and share information about adult vaccination in the neighborhoods, churches, jobs, and areas where they live, work, or volunteer. This nationally recognized flagship program has produced 100+ graduates and continues to grow in scope and outreach.
2022: Was awarded the CDC's REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity Challenge in recognition of Healthy Savannah's positive strides to make the healthy choice the easy choice in priority communities. The award recognizes extraordinary individuals and entities whose work has contributed to advancing health equity.
2023: Redeveloped and then relaunched the Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council to educate Chatham County residents, shape public policy, and bring the community together.
2024: Through a one-year grant provided by CHC: Creating Healthier Communities to elevate awareness of the HPV vaccine and its prevention interventions for certain cancers, Healthy Savannah focused on public education, offering numerous public listening sessions, round table discussions and training opportunities in HPV awareness methodologies. Funding from the grant also allowed vaccines to be administered to patients at no cost.
2025: Launched 'Breastfeeding Welcome Here,' a program to recognize breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, medical offices and retail spaces.
The non-profit also announced its new slate of executive board members: Joining Chairman Bullock are:
Nick Deffley, MS, vice chair
Pastor Yolonda Roberson, treasurer
Cheri Dean, secretary
Tiffoni Buckle-McCartney, member at large
The organization additionally welcomed new board members Jennifer Davenport and Mary Arocha. It recognized Dr. Blake Caldwell for her leadership as the outgoing chair of the organization, along with retiring board members Krystal McGee, Rev. Marvin Lloyd, and Keon Green.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Grant applications roll out in response to Georgia opioid crisis
Grant applications roll out in response to Georgia opioid crisis

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Grant applications roll out in response to Georgia opioid crisis

ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) — The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust works to eradicate and prevent the opioid crisis. In 2022, Georgia secured $638 million from settlements with major pharmaceutical companies and an additional $13 million from McKinsey & Company to combat the opioid crisis. The funds go to support initiatives like expanding treatment options, increasing public awareness and providing life-saving naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan. Governor Brian Kemp said, 'Like every other state, the opioid crisis has hit Georgia communities and families hard and with lasting effect. These funds will help us fight the good fight against the disease of addiction, help us make our communities more secure and help us see that justice is done for the victims of these opioid manufacturers and distributors.' The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (GDBHDD) says opioid-related overdoses have killed more than 650,000 people over the last 25 years, with a 200 percent increase between 2010 and 2020. Kevin Tanner, State Commissioner for the GDBHDD, said of the settlement, '$479 million of that money will flow through the trust over the next 18 years and out of that, 60 percent will go statewide initiatives, and 40 percent for regional initiatives. We opened that first opportunity for grants last year.' Apply online for the funds through Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

School's out but the heat is up! How to keep your kids safe
School's out but the heat is up! How to keep your kids safe

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

School's out but the heat is up! How to keep your kids safe

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – When the sun is shining, kids love to play, but the temperature is rising – and heat danger and exhaustion can happen fast. It is important to keep them cool and hydrated as children's bodies heat up three to five times faster than the average adult. Be careful on the playground. high temperatures and the beating summer sun can heat up the equipment and burn children's skin. The temperature on my WSAV Weather App says 84 degrees. The temperature of the slide with my thermometer says 121 degrees! That's about a 35 degree temperature difference so always make sure to check playground equipment before children climb or sit. Dr. Ashley Cheek, Pediatrician at Memorial Health, says 'The playground equipment looks the same all year round, but depending on what the weather is that day, it can be very hot and can cause really severe burns. even third degree burns.' To avoid injuries or burns, make sure to plan time outside away from the heat of the day or in the shade. The best time to be outside would be in the morning or the evening. Dr. Ashley Cheek also says 'I think it's an important point and especially for the summer is when you're going to the park, try to go before 10am or after 4pm. Those are the best times as far as sun exposure for kids. Playground equipment in direct sunlight also causes a risk of heating up quickly or even slowly and still causing damage.' If you have to be outside during the heat of the day when the sun is the highest in the sky, the best way to check equipment is with the back of your hand. It's less tough making it easier to feel the heat. It's also easier to pull your hand away to avoid getting burned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Fourth annual Hallie Grace Memorial Butterfly Ball for EB
Fourth annual Hallie Grace Memorial Butterfly Ball for EB

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

Fourth annual Hallie Grace Memorial Butterfly Ball for EB

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Epidermalysis Bullosa, also known as EB, is a rare genetic condition that affects one in every 20,000 births. Babies diagnosed with this condition usually don't live long lives, and they are often referred to as butterfly babies because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wings. Turning grief into triumph is how one family, whose child was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin condition, is honoring her life and legacy. 'To be a lost parent is the worst thing in the world. And I would give anything to make sure nobody else has to ever go through that again,' said mother of Hallie Grace and Executive Director of Heroes for Hallie Grace, INC Anne Davis. It's the fourth annual Hallie Grace Memorial Butterfly Ball for EB. Mom of Hallie Grace Anne Davis, who passed away when she was only three months old from the genetic skin condition, said events like these are important to spread awareness because many don't know what EB is or how it affects families dealing with it. 'When you lose a child, the one thing you want more than anything is for them to be remembered and to know that their life mattered,' Davis said. 'So, our biggest mission, is that we raise awareness, we raise funding all that. But our biggest thing is connecting with the families, making sure that those families know that those children still matter, whether or not they're still here.' The painful skin condition is caused by a missing protein that holds the skin together, so with any sort of touch or heat, it can blister the skin and cause it to fall off. Davis said when doctors told her there was nothing they could do; she made it a goal to make sure another family would never have to experience the pain that they felt that day. 'When we get to know these families and we get to see these families go through this and we know what the diagnosis is, it's like watching a Mack truck going to hit someone and not being able to stop it, and so our goal with everything that we do is to stop it,' Davis said. In the three years that Davis and her family have been advocating, there have been medical breakthroughs, now she said they are just waiting for a cure. 'I remember thinking, how do we have nothing,' Davis said. 'Since that time, so in just over a couple of years, we have three approved treatments for EB, two of which could actually work for Hallie's type, depending. But we're getting there. I mean, we're making huge, incredible strides. The FDA has approved these things, so now people don't have to hear there's nothing we can do.' There are only a few tickets left for tonight's ball. If you're interested in purchasing those or just learning more about EB and the heroes for Hallie Grace organization, you can click or tap here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store