Latest news with #communityimpact
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
Rider Justice Sponsors "Poker Run on the Docks" to Support Larimer County Dive Rescue Team and Poudre Fire Authority Station #9
Fort Collins, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2025) - Rider Justice, the motorcycle advocacy arm of The O'Sullivan Law Firm, is proud to sponsor Poker Run on the Docks, a summer charity event benefitting two essential emergency response organizations serving Northern Colorado: the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team (LCDRT) and Poudre Fire Authority Station #9. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Inlet Bay Marina, this event invites the community to an evening of fun, camaraderie, and community impact. Supporting Local Rescue Heroes Larimer County Dive Rescue Team (LCDRT) For more than four decades, LCDRT has served Larimer County as an all-volunteer, nonprofit dive rescue unit specializing in water-related emergencies. From ice rescues to open-water dives and swiftwater recovery missions, these dedicated professionals respond across the county and beyond. LCDRT also educates the public at major events like the Horsetooth Swim and Polar Plunge, reinforcing safe recreation practices on local waters. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Larimer County Dive Rescue Team To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Poudre Fire Authority Station #9 Stationed near W County Road 38E and South Shoreline Drive, this fire and EMS crew serves the Horsetooth Reservoir area with dedication and heart. Previous fundraising has helped secure life-saving gear and training. Uniquely, this team also gives back by placing AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) in public spaces and offering community training on their use-making everyone safer. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Poudre Fire Authority Station #9 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Event Details 'Poker Run on the Docks is more than just a poker event-it's a celebration of community, courage, and the people who protect us,' said Scott O'Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice. 'We're proud to sponsor an event for a cause that keeps our waters and wilderness safer for all.' Participants will collect poker cards at dock stops and compete for prizes-all while contributing to two remarkable teams of first responders. Whether you arrive by motorcycle, car, or boat, everyone is welcome to join the festivities and support a meaningful mission. About Rider Justice Rider Justice is the legal and advocacy arm of The O'Sullivan Law Firm, serving Colorado's motorcycle community with unwavering commitment. Through safety education, legal representation, and charitable outreach, Rider Justice empowers riders and protects their rights on and off the road. About Rider Justice and Scott O'Sullivan Rider Justice is at the forefront of championing biker rights and is dedicated to protecting and empowering motorcyclists. Through legal advocacy, community support, and education, we strive to make the roads safer and more enjoyable for all adventure enthusiasts. From event sponsorship to comprehensive legal representation, Rider Justice is a full-service personal injury law firm dedicated to serving the biker community. With over 25 years of experience, Scott O'Sullivan is a renowned Colorado personal injury attorney who has tirelessly helped bikers rebuild their lives after motorcycle accidents. -end- Media Contact: Scott O'Sullivan Rider Justice 877-562-9425 [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Mobile teen to give District Attorney's victim comfort room a makeover
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A local teen is making a big impact on those who are about to testify in court. Fairhope mother making remarkable recovery days after shooting Caroline Giardina is in the process of transforming the Mobile District Attorney's Office's victim comfort room. 'My goal is to make it somewhere that's comfortable and feels safe and warm,' Giardina said. Giardina said that right now, the dated room's furniture and activities do not represent the room's full potential. 'There are a lot of games and activities in here, but a lot of the games are either missing pieces or there are games that require a lot of people,' said Giardina. Giardina plans to make the space suitable for all ages by including adult coloring books and building blocks. 'People of all ages use these rooms,' Giardina said. The room will also get a fresh coat of paint and new furniture. 'My inspiration board has lots of warm colors. For the kids, building blocks to play with and coloring books,' Giardina said. The transformation is for Caroline's Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The idea came to her as both her parents work at the Mobile District Attorney's office. 'I have to walk past this room a lot,' Giardina said. 'It never looked like somewhere that was very inviting or anything.' Authorities in the DA's office say that the new transformation is much needed and will help ease the nerves of victims of all ages before they testify. 'When you think about walking into a courtroom; walking past full pews of people, looking up at a judge in a robe, sitting down in a witness stand with a microphone in your face, where your feet may not even touch the floor, 12 strangers staring at you while you share very incredibly private things about yourself, about your body, and maybe the person in the room who hurt you is staring at you– you can't begin to imagine the emotional and mental turmoil that these children face as they are asked and called upon to talk about the darkest moments of their lives,' Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Susman said. UPDATE: New video shows latest immigration raid in Baldwin County The room is set to be completed by Aug. 5. You can donate to Caroline's project by visiting this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Isan Elba Is Transforming Beauty Waste Into Equity
Since launching, Isan Elba has redistributed more than 3,000 unopened beauty and hygiene products ... More that would have otherwise been discarded. In an industry fueled by hype, overproduction, and aesthetic perfection, 23-year-old Isan Elba is building something radically different: a scalable, tech-enabled system that turns beauty's excess into dignity for underserved communities. As the founder of Beauty Access and its nonprofit sister organization Beauty Forward, Elba is leading a new movement toward circular beauty, one where surplus products are redirected to women and families in need, and where brands are encouraged to rethink their relationship with waste, logistics, and community impact. Since launching, Elba has redistributed more than 3,000 unopened beauty and hygiene products that would have otherwise been discarded. The products come from creators who have exhausted their networks, and from brands looking to align excess with purpose. Her goal is clear: to make redistribution as operationally viable and sustainable as overproduction. From PR Packages to Purpose Elba began her career as a content creator, quickly realizing the scale of excess in beauty marketing. 'Every single day, I would receive one to three packages of beauty and hygiene products,' she recalls. 'At first, it was a girl's dream come true. But eventually, my apartment looked like a mini Sephora.' Over time, the abundance became overwhelming and revealing. 'This wasn't just my problem—it was systemic,' she says. 'Beauty Access created itself.' What started as a personal solution to a common creator dilemma evolved into a platform for structural change. Beauty Access allows donors (including influencers, brands, and individuals) to schedule pickups, which are handled by a courier service. The products are then quality-checked, logged, and redistributed through vetted nonprofit partners and donation events. A Just Beauty System Elba's ambition goes far beyond product giveaways. She's building infrastructure and technology to support long-term, measurable change. Beauty Forward's inventory system, built using SwiftUI and Firestore, is designed to track the journey of every donated item. Using barcode scanning and AI-assisted data capture, the platform assigns each product a unique identifier from intake to distribution. 'We couldn't find an off-the-shelf inventory system that worked for our situation,' she explains. 'So we built one.' This system enables real-time inventory analysis, allowing the team to identify what's missing (e.g. deodorant or culturally specific hair care) and advocate for those needs through brand relationships or social media. Challenging the PR Gifting Model At the heart of Elba's mission is a challenge to one of the beauty industry's most entrenched practices: PR gifting. 'Brands should implement circular logistics,' she says. 'We've proven that excess can become impact rather than waste.' Rather than discard products that go unused or unposted, Elba encourages brands to reframe them as a resource. 'Overproduction should be seen not as a burden, but as inventory for community impact.' Major brands have taken note. MAC, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Tarte, and Haus Labs have supported Beauty Access through product donations or financial contributions. That support underscores a shift in how the industry views responsibility. 'We're not just offering critique,' Elba says. 'We're offering infrastructure brands can plug into for the long haul.' Where Beauty Meets Dignity This fall, Elba will partner with Women In Need (Win), New York City's largest network of family shelters, to distribute over 500 hygiene and beauty products each month. The offerings include culturally affirming hair care, deodorant, and essential makeup, items that help restore confidence and autonomy to individuals navigating housing insecurity. 'Win is deeply grateful to partner with Beauty Forward,' says Laura Stroud, VP of Development at Win. 'Our partnership has provided our mothers and families with access to high-quality beauty and hygiene products that help our clients feel seen, valued, and empowered as they navigate living in shelter.' For Elba, these moments define the work. 'That's when it becomes personal,' she says. 'You see the impact face to face.' For aspiring changemakers, especially Black and brown women, her advice is both practical and ... More encouraging: 'When in doubt, brain dump in your notes app. Take a walk. Ask for help. Just don't stop moving the needle.' Balancing Purpose and Pressure Running two complementary organizations hasn't come without friction. As a solo founder without a business degree or PR team, Elba is navigating uncharted territory. 'I'm constantly asking how I can make the most impact without charging beneficiaries while still paying the people who keep this running,' she says. She also contends with an industry that prioritizes volume and visibility over systemic change. 'I'm building a people-first business in a space that rewards more,' she says. 'Flipping that ideology takes time.' Personally, she's made difficult decisions to stay aligned with her mission. 'I didn't expect how hard it would be to walk away from people who only think about what an opportunity can do for them—not for others.' In place of traditional credentials, Elba leans on data and documentation. 'Focus on measurable impact over perfect credentials,' she advises. 'Document everything. Your work becomes your credibility.' For aspiring changemakers, especially Black and brown women, her advice is both practical and encouraging: 'When in doubt, brain dump in your notes app. Take a walk. Ask for help. Just don't stop moving the needle.' How to Get Involved Beauty Forward is currently fundraising $250,000 to support its official October launch and future expansion. While the model is being refined in New York City, Elba has her sights set on broader markets. 'Phase one is perfecting operations in New York. Phase two targets cities like Los Angeles, London, and Miami,' she says. 'We're building the infrastructure to become the national solution for beauty industry circularity.' Elba invites Forbes readers to contribute. Consumers can follow @beautyaccess and visit to share and support the mission. Creators can begin scheduling product pickups starting this October, and brands can explore donation or funding partnerships directly through the site. 'Word of mouth is how we grow our community,' Elba says. 'We're building something new, and we want everyone to be part of it.' Elba's work aligns with a broader generational shift in consumer values. Platforms like ThredUP, Loop, and Package Free Shop reflect the rise of circular models, and according to Deloitte's 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, roughly two-thirds of Gen Z and millennial consumers say they're willing to pay more for environmentally sustainable products. For Elba, that momentum is foundational. 'We're not just redistributing products,' she says. 'We're redistributing possibility.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Everlight Solar Named Milwaukee's Top Choice Winner
MILWAUKEE, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Everlight Solar is honored to announce its recognition as a Milwaukee Top Choice winner for 2025. This community-powered award celebrates businesses that go above and beyond for the people they serve in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Selected through public nominations and votes, this award highlights Everlight's commitment to its customers, clean energy, and community impact. "We want to thank the people who believe in our mission as we expand across the Midwest," said William Creech, President and CEO of Everlight Solar. "Our mission is to make going solar simple and affordable for homeowners, and Milwaukee is a great city we're happy to serve." Everlight Solar continues to grow its footprint in the region, providing professionalism and clarity with unmatched support throughout every step of the solar journey. Beyond energy, the company invests in the communities it serves through regular volunteer events and partnerships with local nonprofits like the Guest House of Milwaukee and Adopt-A-Highway. Everlight Solar would like to thank its customers, staff, and partners who voted and helped make this award possible. They remain dedicated to helping more Milwaukee residents harness the sun's power and are proud to be recognized as a trusted leader in the solar industry. For more information about Everlight Solar and to see if going solar is right for you, visit About Everlight Solar Everlight Solar is the fastest-growing solar company in the Midwest, with operations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Everlight Solar earned a spot on both the 2023 Inc. 5000 and 2024 Inc. 5000 lists in their first two years of eligibility. To learn more about open jobs or going solar for your home, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Everlight Solar Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
21-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Gershman Mortgage Celebrates 70 Years of Service - Springfield Branch Connects Legacy Lending to Ozarks Community
Gershman Mortgage marks its 70th anniversary in 2025. It's an enduring milestone rooted in trust, transparency, and community impact. SPRINGFIELD, MO, UNITED STATES, July 21, 2025 / / -- Gershman Mortgage marks its 70th anniversary in 2025. It's an enduring milestone rooted in trust, transparency, and community impact. Founded in St. Louis in 1955, the company now employs over 250 professionals across 22 states. At 1557 East Primrose Street, the Springfield office continues that tradition by delivering locally informed mortgage solutions through a full team of experts. Branch loan officers include Jerry Peterie, Jack Langley, Clifford Ives, Tammy Langley, Bruce Monroe, Brent Bowers, Stormy Holtzman, Andrew Langley, Kyle Johnson, Bobby Otwell, Annie Griffin, Bobby Otwell, Jeff Widmeyer, Aby Houghton, Evelina Donica, Brian McCracken, Gabriela Verdugo, Jamie Burk, and Jacque Haro. Together, that team supports Springfield-area borrowers with residential financing options, conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo, delivered with efficiency, clarity, and personalized service. 70 Years of Culture and Community Connection From its inception under Solon Gershman in 1955, Gershman Mortgage has upheld a people-first philosophy, privately held, deeply invested in borrower education, and adaptable through changing rates and regulation. Milestones like a $1 billion servicing portfolio in 1986 and the 2018 return to Chesterfield headquarters under Adam Mason reflect a balance of growth and integrity. The Springfield branch reflects those founding principles by blending national lending authority with local market insight. Springfield Market Snapshot Springfield's housing market continues to demonstrate strong dynamics. As of June 2025, median listing prices reached approximately $289,900, with homes selling for about 1.5% above asking price. Zillow reports a median sale price around $260,667 and a median days-on-market of 12. Homes in Springfield sold for a median of $275,000 in June. That's a 15.5% increase year-over-year, with price-per-square-foot near $159. Despite rising prices, inventory remains relatively lean, reinforcing a seller's market narrative. These conditions emphasize the importance of swift underwriting, accurate borrower readiness, and timely closings. That's precisely what the Springfield team offers, supported by Gershman's infrastructure. Local Insight and Community Ties The Springfield office prioritizes local partnerships, offering educational sessions on loan types, down payment assistance, and city-specific financing opportunities, which is critical in a market that encompasses university staff, families, and retirees. Local landmarks, like the Landers Theatre, Route 66 heritage sites, and the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium near Bass Pro headquarters that anchor the city's identity. These cultural touchpoints reflect the branch's ethos: honoring legacy while supporting future progress. Team members engage in civic initiatives, collaborate with REALTORS®, and attend events at Missouri State University and the Discovery Center, ensuring borrowers receive guidance tailored to Springfield's evolving market. Eighth Decade Focus: Technology, Trust, and Transparency As Gershman Mortgage enters its eighth decade, the Springfield branch combines digital tools such as online loan portals and pricing analytics with human connection. Borrowers benefit from modern convenience plus local expertise including everything from neighborhood knowledge around ZIP 65804 to citywide insights spanning downtown to suburban zones. About Gershman Mortgage Founded by Solon Gershman in 1955, Gershman Mortgage is a privately-held, full-service lender licensed in 22 states with over 250 employees. The company offers a full array of residential lending products—conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, and refinance loans—with a commitment to long-term relationships and community engagement. Visit the website for more details. Springfield Branch 1557 East Primrose Street, Suite 100 Springfield, MO 65804 NMLS #138063 | Equal Housing Lender Houston Harris FreshRobot +1 828-324-1298 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
