DENVER, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With just one week left before the annual Denver Feed-A-Family event in honor of Daddy Bruce Randolph, the Epworth Foundation faces a critical shortfall in funding. To meet its ambitious goal of providing 7,500 Thanksgiving meal baskets, the organization needs to raise $400,000 but is far short of its goal. This significant gap puts thousands of families at risk of going without a meal this holiday season.

This year’s theme, “One Community, One Family,” embodies the foundation’s mission to bring nourishment and unity to those most in need. However, with funding levels far below what’s necessary, the Epworth Foundation urgently appeals to the community for help.

“We are at a crossroads,” said Xiomara Yanique, Program Director at the Epworth Foundation. “Without immediate support, we risk leaving many families without a Thanksgiving meal this year. Every dollar counts, and time is running out.”

The average cost of a meal basket is $55, which includes everything needed for a family meal serving 4-5 people. With current funding, the organization will be able to serve fewer than 1,000 families. The Epworth Foundation calls on local businesses, philanthropists, and community members to step in and help bridge this critical gap. Donations of any size are urgently needed and can be made directly on the foundation’s website.

A Call for Unity from Denver’s Mayor

Denver’s Mayor, Mike Johnston, expressed his concern and support for the initiative: “The Denver Feed-A-Family event has been a vital source of hope and comfort for our city’s most vulnerable families. I urge everyone to contribute. Together, we can ensure no family goes without a meal this Thanksgiving.”

How You Can Help

Donate Today: Visit www.epworthfoundation.org to make a contribution. You can sponsor one or more meal baskets or give any amount to help cover the cost of these essential meal kits.

Participate in Giving Tuesday: Join our community effort to honor Daddy Bruce Randolph’s legacy by supporting the cost of meal baskets for families in need.

Volunteer: There are still opportunities to lend a hand on distribution day, November 23rd.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.epworthfoundation.org.

Contact for Media:
Jackie Perry
Email: socialmedia@epworthfoundation.org
Phone: 904.866.3828

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/30-years-after-the-passing-of-daddy-bruce-randolph-his-legacy-of-feeding-families-on-thanksgiving-is-in-jeopardy-due-to-lack-of-funding–epworth-foundation-issues-an-urgent-call-for-donations-302307350.html

SOURCE The Epworth Foundation

Grinch-Inspired Decorations from Airblown® Inflatables to Life-Size Animatronics

DALLAS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fans of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! will be delighted with a feast of Grinch decorations to choose from this season. Gemmy’s expansive collection, from amazing Airblown® Inflatables and yard décor to life-size animated characters, is sure to grow hearts three sizes.

Airblown® Inflatables

Set the scene for a Merry Grinchmas with the Grinch inflatable lineup. Big or small, hanging or arched, Gemmy has you covered:

Craft a custom scene with adorable 4-ft tall characters: Grinch in Ugly Red Sweater and Cindy-Lou Who with gift.Warm hearts and add fun to your display with 6-ft and 6.5-ft options: Max and Grinch with red heart scene and Hanging Grinch with wreath.Welcome guests with whimsical 9-ft and 10-ft styles, perfect for parties and photo ops: sneaky Tiptoeing Grinch with gift sack, Merry Grinchmas Archway, and Grinch and Max with Naughty or Nice Sign.

Musical and Animated Merriment

For a multisensory experience, Grinch enthusiasts will love animated decor that plays “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”:

Life-Size Animated: Equipped with sound and motion features, these realistic characters are available in two styles—the charming 4-ft Animated Little Grinch and the 6-ft Animated Grinch in a Santa suit.EmoteGlow™: Featuring animated faces that light up and sing, this amazing technology is available in the adorable 6.3-in Kawaii Grinch (in-store only) and the Grinch Musical Light String with eight bulbs.

Indoor/Outdoor Lighting and Decor

Lighting and decor options are fantastic on their own or layered into the mix:

The 4-ft tall 3D Grinch Tinsel Sculpture features the Grinch holding colorful stockings and shines with 35 LED lights.Light up interior or exterior surfaces and walkways with the colorful Whirl-A-Motion™ Grinch Projection and festive Grinch Pathway Stakes.Perfect for indoor locations, battery-operated blow molds are available in two styles: 14-in Grinch and 12-in Max (in-store only).

Find this Grinch collection in-store and online at The Home Depot.

About Gemmy Industries
Gemmy Industries is a leader in the seasonal décor market, bringing festive fun and holiday cheer to homes everywhere. Dedicated to innovation and creative design, Gemmy has elevated industry standards and established recognizable brands like Airblown® Inflatable and LightShow® Lighting. For more information on products and retailers, visit www.gemmy.com. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-merriest-grinchmas-ever-awaits-with-grinch-decor-from-gemmy-302307351.html

SOURCE Gemmy Industries

Federal investment of over $38 million will connect 3,611 homes to high-speed Internet

WINNIPEG, MB, Nov. 15, 2024 /CNW/ – Fairness for every generation means making sure everyone in Canada has access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet, no matter where they live. That is why the Government of Canada is bringing high-speed Internet access to underserved communities—including Indigenous communities—in rural Manitoba.

Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced over $38 million in federal funding for four projects under the Universal Broadband Fund and support from Indigenous Services Canada to bring high-speed Internet access to 3,611 households in 14 rural and remote communities across Manitoba. This includes 3,135 Indigenous households.

Better, more reliable connectivity means having easier access to important online resources, bridging the digital divide, accelerating economic development and increasing safety for Indigenous communities, and helping victims of violence access critical online resources and get help when they need it most.

This funding is provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, a program designed to ensure that Canadians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities have access to reliable high-speed Internet.

Everyone in Canada will have access to high-speed Internet by 2030, and 98% of Canadian households will be connected by 2026. Canada is on track to meet its 2026 connectivity targets. These projects will build toward that goal, and the government will continue to invest in infrastructure that creates new opportunities in communities and makes sure they can benefit from all of Canada’s potential.

Quotes 

“Connectivity is an essential tool to access education and health care and to grow a business. The Government of Canada has made a historic commitment to help connect 98% of Canadian households to high-speed Internet by 2026. These investments will provide reliable high-speed Internet access to more than 3,600 underserved homes in rural Manitoba.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“Every community in Canada deserves access to high-speed Internet. This announcement is another step our government is taking in delivering on its commitment to ensure every Manitoban has access, no matter where they live.”
– The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Quick facts

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help provide high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadians by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% access by 2030.Today, 94.8% of Canadian households have access to high-speed Internet, compared to just 79% in 2014.In Manitoba, 85.4% of households currently have access to high-speed Internet.Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $257 million in connectivity projects in Manitoba.Over 800 Indigenous households have already gained access to high-speed Internet in Manitoba thanks to projects funded by the Universal Broadband Fund.Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people are more likely to go missing or be murdered than those who are non-Indigenous. Better connectivity means more tools in moments of danger, helping victims of violence access critical online resources and get help when they need it most.

Associated links

Rural economic developmentHigh-Speed Internet Access DashboardUniversal Broadband FundBackgrounder: Universal Broadband Fund and Telesat low Earth orbit capacity agreementCanada’s Connectivity StrategyNational Broadband Internet Service Availability MapFederal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People

Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

X (Twitter): @ISED_CA, Facebook: Canadian Innovation,  Instagram: @cdninnovation, LinkedIn: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For easy access to government programs for businesses, download the Canada Business app.

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada