There’s always something happening in the Hostess City. Stay in the know about upcoming events and the latest information with our News & Notes.
SCAD donates thousands of art supplies to Savannah area schools
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) donated tens of thousands of art supplies to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System today as part of the university’s annual Buzz Bus event.
The new and gently used art supplies, such as paint, brushes, fabric, charcoal, sketch paper, and tools, were collected by the SCAD students, faculty, and staff to help support local art educators. Every teacher received a box of supplies and “shopped” for other classroom materials to inspire the next generation of artists and designers.
“As teachers head back into the classroom to prepare for the upcoming school year, we are thrilled to donate new and gently used art supplies to art educators at every Savannah-Chatham County Public School,” said Darrell Naylor-Johnson, VP for SCAD Savannah. “These materials are necessary resources to help students to express their ideas, opinions and dreams through art.”
Inaugurated by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace in 2010, the SCAD Buzz Bus has made high-quality arts education possible for thousands of students across the region. Buzz Bus is a part of the SCAD SERVE initiative which empowers the SCAD community to listen to the needs of its neighbors and local leaders, and to create meaningful design solutions that improve quality of life.
Young entrepreneurs from metropolitan Savannah area learned from top execs
Six students from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) at Savannah had business and networking advice from 5 CEOs.
The CEOs volunteered one-on-one time with middle- and high-schoolers while answering their questions as they prepare to launch and run their own businesses as part of their YEA! class.
YEA! teaches kids ages 11 to 18 how to identify their passions, develop a business idea, write a business plan, pitch investors for funding, and obtain all the necessary components to create a fully, formed, and functioning business or social movement by the end of the 30-week class.
As a non-profit organization, the Hispanic Chamber Foundation’s YEA! Program relies on the generosity of the community and of sponsors; people who identify with entrepreneurship and want to help pave the way for the future business leaders of tomorrow.
“YEA! strengthens the community, and the community strengthens YEA!,” said Alfonso Ribot, President / CEO Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and YEA! Program Manager. “Our instructors, mentors, and committee members seek out people in every facet of the business community to help our students’ dreams become reality.”
For more information, visit msavhcc.org/.
Curio Collection by Hilton celebrates debut in Savannah
The Drayton Hotel has announced that it has joined Curio Collection by Hilton as of Monday, July 31, marking the brand's debut in Savannah. The Drayton was hand-picked by Hilton for its individual character and personality, allowing the hotel to offer its elevated hospitality in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District with the added benefits of the Hilton Honors Program.
Opened in 2019, the hotel reinvents one of Savannah’s oldest buildings dating from the 1890s and was carefully restored to embrace the building’s 19th century exterior and the charm of the surrounding neighborhood. The Drayton features 50 rooms and suites, and three signature culinary and beverage experiences, including St. Neo’s Brasserie, a classic French restaurant inspired by the Lowcountry, The Vinyl Room, an intimate cocktail lounge, and the Pendant Terrace and Bar, a vibrant rooftop bar with unmatched City Hall, Savannah River, and Historic District views.
“Joining Hilton’s Curio Collection allows us to provide guests with an elevated travel experience while maintaining all that makes The Drayton a distinctly Savannah property,” said The Drayton Hotel Owner Raghav Sapra. “We’re thankful that through Hilton’s support, we’re able to welcome Hilton Honors members to our incredible city.”
Curio Collection by Hilton represents a carefully selected, global group of individually remarkable hotels that evoke a bespoke story through their distinctive design and character that are reflective of the destination. From a cozy living room lounge upon entry, to cobblestone-style floors and greenery similar to Savannah’s iconic squares, The Drayton Hotel Savannah reflects the dynamic essence of a historic Savannah residence where guests instantly feel like they’re welcomed home.
“With its distinguished design that embraces the building’s historic identity to unique, elevated dining experiences inspired by the rich culinary heritage of the destination, The Drayton Hotel is an incredible property to join the Curio Collection,” said Jenna Hackett, brand leader, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Located in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, The Drayton captures the essence of the city through distinctly local offerings, premium services and amenities and authentic experiences on and off property.”
Guests are now able to book stays at The Drayton Hotel through the Hilton platform here. For more information, follow along at @thedraytonhotel.
CURE Childhood Cancer named beneficiary of first annual peach week in Savannah
CURE Childhood Cancer, a Georgia-based non-profit dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families, was named the beneficiary of Pearson Farm’s first annual Peach Week in Savannah, Ga.
Eight participating farm-to-table Savannah restaurants used Pearson Farm peaches in special menu items. The highly-acclaimed restaurants celebrating Peach Week were Husk, both Collins Quarter locations, The Fitzroy, Cotton & Rye, Thompson Hotel Savannah, Common Thread and Ardsley Station. Every participating restaurant featured a creative, peach-inspired menu item, with a portion of the proceeds going to CURE.
Pearson Farm also sold their sweet peaches directly to consumers at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Additionally, Pearson Farm passed out peaches to oncology patients and their families at the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children's Hospital of Savannah.
Healthy Savannah and other local agencies offer guidance for parents and businesses during National Breastfeeding Month in August
In observance of National Breastfeeding Month in August and Black Breastfeeding Week Aug. 25-31, Healthy Savannah and other local advocates are working to underscore the need for better corporate and community support of Black breastfeeding mothers, especially those in the workplace.
Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, as administrators of the Centers for Disease Control’s Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant; along with the Chatham County Health Department, Georgia Southern University Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health and Glow Lactation, are offering several events throughout the month. All are free and open to the public:
Glow Lactation will host a peer advocates session at the Armstrong Center in classroom 105 on Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus at 6PM on Tuesday, Aug. 29. This workshop will provide information for community members to advocate and promote breastfeeding throughout the community.
The Department of Health Coastal Health District will host virtual WIC advocate training sessions on the third Friday of each month at 10am. The next session will be August 18th at 10am . To register and for more information, visit coastalhealthdistrict.org/programs-services/health-promotion-disease-prevention/wic-ambassadors/.
Glow Lactation will offer an online Mommy Moments Breastfeeding Support Group at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21 via ZOOM. This monthly support group was created to encourage, empower, and give Black moms a voice to tell their breastfeeding journey. Register at glowlactation.com or text MOMMYMOMENTS to 912-758-3438.
The Coastal Health District invites breastfeeding moms, their families and friends, and breastfeeding advocates to join in a World Breastfeeding Week celebration on August 5 from 9-11 a.m. in Savannah. This family-friendly event will be held in Forsyth Park and will include a walk for breastfeeding awareness, information on the benefits of breastfeeding, raffle prizes, and free swag bags while supplies last.
“We are tapping into the 2023 National Breastfeeding Month theme, This is Our Why, to help shine a light on why it is so important to center our conversation on the babies and families who need our advocacy,” said Nandi A. Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CH.
For more information on National Breastfeeding Month in August and Black Breastfeeding Week August 25-31, visit USBC at usbreastfeeding.org/. Visit healthysavannah.org/breastfeeding-resources/ for information on adopting a workplace policy to support breastfeeding employees. For lactation resources and breastfeeding support in Chatham County, visit herohelpme.com.
Friends of Cockspur Island Lighthouse to host blood drive
The public is invited to a blood drive hosted by the Friends of Cockspur Island Lighthouse on Monday, August 7 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 101 Fort Pulaski Road, Savannah, GA, 31410.
According to The Blood Connection, they will provide $45 in rewards and a $25 charitable donation per blood donor. For information about blood donations, please go to thebloodconnection.org.
To help the Friends of Cockspur Island Lighthouse’s efforts to preserve this unique lighthouse, go to the donate button at cockspurislandlighthouse.com/.
