(Edwardsville, PA) – cds creative, inc. invites nonprofit organizations to submit applications for its eighth annual CreateAthon, scheduled for September 17, 2009. The round-the-clock creative and design work will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 17th at the offices of NCAC (Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center) in Pittston, PA. The final work will be presented to the non-profits on Friday, September 18th at 9 a.m.
The deadline for CreateAthon 2009 applications is July 15, 2009. Organizations selected by cds creative, inc. to receive the services of CreateAthon 2009 will be announced on July 30th . Applications are available at www.cdscreative.com
CreateAThon is a 24-hour blitz during which cds creative, inc., the only agency in Pennsylvania to participate in this event, provides marketing and creative services to non-profit organizations in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Monroe and Wyoming counties on a pro-bono basis (other counties can be considered on a special needs basis.) Last year, cds creative’s CreateAThon event provided marketing services to six non-profit organizations producing a total of 13 projects. The market value of the work produced during the event was estimated at $35, 000.
CreateAThon is the brainchild of RIGGS, Inc., an advertising, marketing and communications firm in Columbia, South Carolina. In an effort to give non-profit organizations the professional, creative marketing materials that would otherwise be financially unfeasible, RIGGS formed the first CreateAThon in 1998.
“The work we do through CreateAthon is more important than ever this year,” notes Catherine Shafer, cds creative, inc. president. “Nonprofits have been affected dramatically by the economy, which has had a profound impact on their ability to provide direct services. It’s our hope through CreateAthon to help offset some of this economic pressure for nonprofits by donating marketing services.”
Established in 1984, cds creative, inc. is a brand development and integration organization that opens doors for clients. We work with clients that seek creative thinking, effective means to communicate messages and a common sense approach to strategy.
“Change” has been the mantra shouted by politicians this year, but where is the change in Luzerne County? We continue to see the same “good old boys” take hold of our county, make poor decisions, and adversely affect our lives. The upcoming primary election for two Luzerne County Judge seats puts a spotlight on the need for positive change in our county. We don’t need two new Judges who will follow the same rhyme and reason of the last fifty-years – we need someone who will actually be a fresh voice.
Welcome Tina Polachek Gartley. Gartley is one of the now 17 candidates running for Luzerne County Judge. She prides herself on over 18 years of criminal and civil trial experience, dedication to sexual abuse and domestic violence victims, and working to put violent perpetrators behind bars as Senior Attorney at the Barbara J. Hart Justice Center. What makes Gartley truly unique is her lack of political connections in a time when all we’re seeing is a decline of political morals and justice swirling around us.
Gartley isn’t a politician – rather, she’s a highly experienced attorney with a great degree of focus on family law and protecting sexual and domestic abuse victims. Gartley is the president of the Plains Solomon PTA since 2002, Plains Baseball Board of Directors, a lector at Blessed Sacrament Church, CCD Teacher, and involved in her family’s wide array of activities. In short, Tina’s a person.
We need to see change put into action into Luzerne County, and Tina’s persistence and commitment to our area will do just that. Let’s put an end to empty words, and start a new chapter. Please join me in giving Tina Polacheck Gartley the opportunity to breathe new life into Luzerne County.
On May 19th you have two votes for Luzerne County Judge. I’m asking you to vote for Tina Polachek Gartley and ONLY Tina.
It’s happened twice in the last week so, of course I have to blog about it.
I dine out … a lot… mostly because as a single guy it’s usually cheaper to go for a $20 dinner, where I’ll take half of it home and have it for lunch the next day, then going out and buying food that will eventually go bad in my fridge.
Anyway, four times during the ten days I’ve been out to eat and been plagued by bad service. Here are two examples:
1. I’m chapter president of the local Association of Fundraising Professionals and attended a luncheon celebrating philanthropy recently at the Waterfront Banquet Center in Plains (That’s sort of Wilkes-Barre for those of you not from around these parts). This room was filled with 250+ fundraisers (people) with significant (if not final) decision making ability about where more than 200 organizations in this region will hold their fundraising events. Well, they won’t be doing so at this location. The room was not set right, there were cleanliness issues with the plates and silverware, the staff was rude and abrasive, and lunch showed up 20 minutes late. The sales rep from the site even said, “We can pull off a $60,000 wedding but not a $6,000 luncheon.” I already know of at least two events that have been cancelled there as a result and the management’s offer of $1,000 — while nice, didn’t cover the cost of the $500 worth of ice cream that was not served, the $240 vegetarian meals that came out as chicken, and the $400 worth of coffee service that ran out after 40 cups were filled and never restocked.
2. I went out with SEO Jeff to the local franchise for Chili’s last night – the table was covered in grease and honey… like someone had wiped down a spiill and then subsequently used that cloth to wipe down this table. Our server wiped it down again.. .still gross. Then, after we had eaten, we went to pay the bill. The server had to finish chatting with his friends for 5 minutes before we got it.
The total bill for both of us was $22. I paid $14 in cash, Jeff put $12 on his Visa. Well, Jeff’s card was charged $22 and the waiter presumed that $12 was his tip. I mean really, that’s a pretty good tip at 63% … for nachos and chicken fingers?! Bad Service = $1.00 tip.
As e-commerce merchants or marketers, remember… We’re in the heart of our busy season and if we can’t follow through, it’s better to let the customers know that orders will be delayed or services will be slow.
Several folks at Solid Cactus are in the same boat. With the recession in full-swing, when you go out to dinner, to a retail store, or anywhere that customer service is involved… if you get bad service, there are probably hundreds of other shopping sites and the comparison shopping engines have made it very easy to go somewhere else.
Remember, shoppers are a click away from giving you their business… or moving to your competitor’s site! Now Chili’s I will give another chance because it might have been an off night, and dinner cost was $20. But The Waterfront Banquet Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA? That’s another story.
The people of our community are truly remarkable. Despite economic challenges, thousands of individuals and businesses persist by giving of themselves. They volunteer, make cash gifts, and give generously.
This not only helps the charities they support, it brings our community together. It means we look out for those in need, especially when times are tough.
History proves even in a bad economy, Americans are resilient—and our belief in philanthropy is too. Giving has grown continuously nearly every year for the past four decades through every economic climate, crossing $300 billion mark for the first time last year.
Today, more than 250 members of our community gather in Wilkes-Barre to recognize Clayton and Theresa Karambelas of Wilkes-Barre as outstanding volunteer fundraisers, the Maslow Family Foundation as outstanding foundation, and Pennstar Bank as outstanding philanthropic corporation. Helen Bernstein Miller of Scranton will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy.
With the Holidays near, now is the time to celebrate our community’s good fortune and give generously of our time, talent, and treasure. Social service agencies shouldn’t have to turn down families who need food, senior citizens who need blankets or children who want something special from Santa.
In these tough times, National Philanthropy Day calls attention to the huge impact generosity can have. Today, let’s celebrate giving and continue to be a bright light for others in the world.
John Dawe is President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. AFP works to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs, fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals, and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.
Be sure to check out the Solid Cactus blogs (especially tech support’s blog) for other Halloween-ish posts. I’ve just uploaded some photos from today’s festivities to a Flickr gallery and our Design Team spent some of their off-the-clock time on some creative Solid Cactus Movie Posters.
Posted on September 13th, 2008John DaweNo comments
My mom and I had a delicious lunch at the Pierce Street Deli and Gallerytoday. Located in Kingston, PA – it’s a very bright and inviting location with fountains, fish ponds, and fine art. The artwork is provided by the Wyoming Valley Art League and is available for purchase. 25% of proceeds from the current show benefit the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.
Be sure to check out the Solid Cactus 
