Urban Views Weekly October 19, 2016

Oct. 19, 2016

Scholar of the Week - Creyona Macklin

Experienced veterans help other veterans through

Bureaucracy and Red Tape

Get updates throughout the week

Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Storytelling and fundraising... make sure your story isn’t a fantasy

Prince George Drive (Rt. 156) Adding/Improving Turn Lanes Prince George County Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing

If your story isn’t real, how can the funds you raise make a difference?

Find out about the proposed improvements in Prince George County at the intersection of Prince George Dr. (Rt. 156) and Pole Run Rd. (Rt. 616). The project will provide a left turn lane from Prince George Dr. south onto Pole Run Rd. and extend the existing northbound turn lane onto Pole Run Rd. Review the project information and environmental documentation at VDOT’s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 23834-9002 804-524-6000, 1-800-367-7623,TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.

If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Winston Phillips, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or by email to Winston.Phillips@VDOT.Virginia.gov on or prior to November 2, 2016. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.

In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800, information concerning the potential effects of the proposed project on properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places is provided in the environmental documentation.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above.

Success is what nonprofits are supposed to project. Increased impact. New audiences, more people served, policies changed...

Everything is rosy. But what if it isn’t?

What if our “successes” blind us to what isn’t working? We might tell a good story, but is it real?

These are hard questions. It’s important to communicate positive impact. But what about the challenges that are difficult to talk about.

“Everyone wants to back a winner” is a cliché that can get in the way of both nonprofits and donors.

Here’s what we know: sometimes supporting organizational change is the most important investment a donor can make. A recent luncheon hosted by Dr. Tracy Hall, the president of Southwest Tennessee Community College, is an example of transparent change.

“Is your organization telling a real story and inviting donors to become part of the change?”

Here’s the truth: organizations and institutions can face great challenges and still be worthy of investment. It’s not either or. In fact investment might be most needed during times of greatest challenge.

Stable funding can support an organization as it repositions itself, implements new technology, changes its staffing configuration, or responds to a crisis.

At the same time, there is a demand by

State Project: 0156-074-762, P101, R-201 C501 Federal Project: STP-074-4(012)

donors to see results for their investment.

With limited resources, people – and foundations – want to know their gifts are being used wisely.

Dr. Hall brought together stakeholders, students, and business people for lunch and short presentation on how she is guiding the college through a change process. Her goal: to redesign, reinvent, and reset the student experience. Southwest is to become a student focused culture: “it’s not about how we teach, it’s about how students learn.” She made it clear the college is about change: “this is not another initiative. This is not about tinkering around the edges. This is not another death-by-committee project. This is about fundamentally changing how we do business. It’s about ensuring students and stakeholders have a continues to page 9

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com

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Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

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“Don’t let someone who doesn’t know your value tell you how much you’re worth.”

Breaking the Silence

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. One in three women and one in four men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. The Domestic Violence Awareness color is purple and National Domestic Violence Month is recognized in October.

Did you know? There have been 437 domestic violence gun related fatalities since January 1, 2016. Domestic violence thrives when we are silent; but if we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic violence. Throughout the month of October, help raise awareness about domestic violence and join in the efforts to end violence.

• One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime.

• Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.

• In America, one woman is fatally shot by a spouse, ex-spouse or dating partner every 14 hours.

Signs of Domestic Violence

• Absences from work or school • Low self-esteem • Personality changes • Fear of conflict • Passive-aggressive behavior • Tell you that you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?

• Self-blame

• Threaten to commit suicide?

• Stress-related problems

• Prevent you from working or going to school?

Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical. Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love.

• Act like the abuse is no big deal or is your fault, or even deny doing it?

• Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?

• Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?

• Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?

• Threaten to kill you?

• Look at you or act in ways that scare you?

• Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?

Is Someone You Know Being Abused?

• Embarrass you with put-downs?

• Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?

• Take your money or paycheck, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?

• Make all of the decisions?

self-esteem, and batterers are not always violent or hateful to their partner in front of others. Most people experiencing relationship violence do not tell others what goes on at home.

So how do you tell? Look for the signs: • Injuries and excuses

If any of these things or other types of abuse are happening, you need to seek help. It’s important to know that you are not alone. The way your partner acts is not your fault. Help is available.

Does your partner:

J. Chevonte’ Alexander

There is no way to tell for sure if someone is experiencing domestic violence. Those who are battered, and those who abuse, come in all shapes, sizes, colors, economic classes and personality types. Victims are not always passive with low

• Isolation and control

“Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance. A family’s home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, our Nation has strengthened its response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country. And Continues to Page 11

Protect your gift of sight Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African-Americans.

If you have glaucoma, we can treat it through medication or surgery.

You can detect glaucoma through routine eye exams, but the best way to prevent it entirely is with regular physical activity. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

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ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Pride and Prejudice The title of the celebrated novel by Jane Austen and subsequent major motion picture starring Hollywood royalty, such as Keira Knightley, Donald Sutherland and Dame Judi Dench, could just as easily be a description of the 2016 political campaign as a definition of the two-term presidency of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama. The story of Pride and Prejudice deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the class-conscious society defined by the landed gentry of Great Britain. For the past 8 years, we have been front row and center as the first African American served this nation as its 44th President.

By his side as partner, confidant and rock solid support was his First Lady, Michelle Obama. This couple, along with their two, classy, smart and beautiful daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, and the Matriarch of the family grandmother Marian Shields Robinson, have inhabited the People’s House and represented this nation with class, dignity and exemplary grace in the midst of a nation submerged in the tumultuous times of race, class and gender wars, domestic unrest, social injustice and mass incarceration; not to mention the global insecurity of terrorism, genocide, war, poverty and the urgent ecological crisis.

powerful position in the world acquiesced to the incessant drumbeat calling for him to prove his legitimacy by “showing his papers.”

Throughout the past 8 years of the Obama Presidency, the continuing call for the systematic de-legitimization of our first non-white president, breaking with America’s longstanding tradition of installing white males as the only recognized and authentic leadership of the nation, has not only prepared the soil but planted the seeds of dissension amongst economically depressed and/ or disadvantaged whites fueling white angst and resentment towards the current inhabitants of the White House. This phenomenon joined the “take our country back” chant and spawned the clarion call to “Make America Great Again.” And now we stand at a precipice of epic proportion never Photo: whitehouse.gov seen before in the American mainstream political debate. The high calling, gravity, intelligence and elegance of the nation’s most prestigious and important office, that of President of the United States, has been plunged into the cesspool of gutter politics and “reality-TV show” sexploitation media memes.

President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama have elevated the nation and brought dignity and grace to serving in the office. They have each, in their own right, created a “The Birthers Movement” rose up as an unprecedented challenge to the “legitimacy” of legacy and made historic contributions while also, as a powerful couple, given Americans a sitting U.S. President. Whatever the rationale given by the movement and those who aspiration and hope. They have made us proud to call them our President and First Lady, participated actively or tacitly in its rhetoric and fervor, the basis of its genesis was even those who strongly disagree with their politics or policy. As we look at where we are unabashedly located in racism and racial animus. now in the final months and weeks of a presidency The complexion of the president and the idea of in its final days, we all need to take stock of the Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. an African American Family inhabiting the White man and the woman who have served us well and Founder and Artistic Director House were so visually and patently disturbing elevated us all by their fine example of sacrifice The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor to the “landed gentry” of the United States that it and citizenship. To you Mr. President and First Virginia Commonwealth University could not possibly go unchallenged. Ultimately, Lady Obama, on behalf of a nation who should be DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org the man elected, decisively, (twice) to the most grateful, I give you my personal gratitude.

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs One of Creyona Macklin’s biggest passions and goals in life is to make a difference. This desire has inspired her career choices, and she hopes to continue her education and one day become a lawyer. “For a long time I actually wanted to be a veterinarian, but it wasn’t until I got to middle school that I realized I wanted to be a lawyer,” Creyona reflected. She loves to talk, debate, research and write. These are all skills she plans to utilize and improve on to become an attorney.

Creyona Macklin

of Richmond Community High School GPA: 3.96 College of Interest: Howard University Major Community Service: Adopt a Street, Habitat for Humanity, Youth Justice, etc.

Strong Interests: Law Favorite Activities: Spending time with others and with like-minded youth

activity is working with her different organizations. Even with all of her extracurricular activities, Creyona maintains a 3.96 GPA.

Currently a senior, Creyona’s top choice of college is Howard University in Washington D.C. “I really love Howard. I tried to have an open mind for when I visit other schools and not just say Howard’s the one, but I just don’t get the same vibes that Howard gives,” she said. The campus atmosphere, its law program and also the fact that it’s an HBCU are other reasons the While she is still in school, Creyona is already working to give back to the school attracted her. She plans to eventually attend Howard’s law school and community through a variety of different organizations. Some of her past wants to focus in employment law. She learned of her interest in this type volunteer work includes helping build houses with Habitat for Humanity, of law after interning with the Virginia Department of Corrections over cleaning up streets with the Adopt a Street the summer. “I didn’t really have a good idea of program and volunteering with Saint Paul’s Baptist who’s usually innocent and who’s wrong. I thought Church. “I realized with a lot of things that I’ve that the big guys were the bad guys and that the done, it’s not just adults who may be suffering little people were always right,” Creyona said. “But from things that are happening in the community. after representing and working with the big guys A lot of times it’s even people my age,” she said. In I realized that, well, sometimes the little people the past, she helped collect women’s toiletries with can be just as wrong.” Learning more through this ™ k e e Youth Justice for survivors of domestic violence. department helped her decide to go into focusing W e h of t She realized that some of these women could on employment law in the future. have children who are teenagers. So she could Before she goes to college, one lesson Creyona be helping people her age and older. In fact, with learned from high school is to not “dwell on mistakes.” She is encouraged by this program she took it a step further and went to her school’s principal her passion to give back, but also her mother and great grandmother, both to ask if students could get an hour of community service for donating to of whom she is named after. “I didn’t realize how powerful my name was the cause. With these programs and others, she gained over 200 hours of and what it actually meant because I didn’t really like it at first,” Creyona community service. said. “But now I understand what my grandmother had to go through with Outside of her volunteer work, Creyona is also a part of multiple school getting made fun of with her name and just the legacy that she’s created organizations. She serves as the treasurer of the Key Club, is a member of for my family.” This legacy includes Creyona’s mother being the first in her Mu Alpha Theta, Future Business Leaders of America, S.W.A.I. (Sisters family to get her master’s degree, something that motivates her to continue with an Intuition), and a youth member of the NAACP. She also previously her own education. Creyona hopes to create her own legacy as an attorney served as the co-captain of the cheerleading squad at Thomas Jefferson and also by developing her own organizations to teach youth about the legal High School. “I enjoy doing things in general with other youths that have system and provide internship opportunities for teenagers who also want to the same passion as me,” Creyona said when describing why her favorite go into the field and follow similar paths as herself.

Scholar0

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Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better 2. Participates in extracurricular community service activities 3. Attends public school in Central Virginia Go to UrbanViewsWeekly.com for application and details.

Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

5

Veterans Help

NOW Keeps the American When 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the National Anthem, the nation was outraged. “He’s disrespecting the flag! He’s disrespecting our troops!” many argued. The national conversation shifted towards the action itself and less about the real “why” behind it all. Very few journalists covered Kaepernick addressing the concerns that inspired the peaceful protest, such as the men and women who’ve lost their lives to police brutality or the inner city children who, due to lack of education and resources, get caught up in the dangerous lifestyle that renders them dead or incarcerated. What’s arguably the most interesting and ironic fact of all, though, is that while many believe his protest is a slap in the face to our troops who’ve fought for this great nation, he’s explicitly stated that he’s also kneeling for the rights, health, and care of those same troops after they’ve returned home.

There are 21.8 million veterans in the United States—800,000 in Virginia alone. Of those 21.8 million, roughly 20 commit suicide every day due to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stemming from both combat and sexual assault while deployed. In addition to mental disorders, an alarming amount of our soldiers return home with very little resources and benefits that ensure a stable, prosperous life for themselves and their family. So when Kaepernick kneels during the National Anthem, his intent is not to disrespect the flag or the troops. In fact, his mission is to support our troops in a way that many in this country do not.

Richmond’s own Veterans for Veterans NOW organization is the exception. Founded by United States Navy veteran Henry Mack, this organization’s mission is to ensure that 6

Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

those who fought for this nation’s safety and freedom may enjoy those liberties upon their return. His passion grew out of experiencing first-hand the troubles veterans face when filing claims for benefits.

“I came back from Vietnam after five combat tours, and I filed a claim,” Mack remembers. “It took 30 years—from 1968 to 1998—to complete the process. With all the things I learned during that time, I knew I needed to help other veterans.”

Mack immediately began pro bono work, helping veterans fill out the application and file their claims. What began as a labor of love turned into a fully-formed 501(c)(3), Veterans Helping Veterans NOW (No Other Way).

Through VHVNow, Mack and his assistant James Adams, a United States Army veteran, work on disability claims for veterans in the Richmond area, and help get the rights restored for many Americans who were jailed immediately after returning from Vietnam.

“A lot of us coming out of Vietnam were sent to jail because we ensured democracy overseas and refused to tolerate 2nd-class citizenship at home,” Mack explains.

“Our organization has a re-entry chairman that helps get their rights restored, helps them pay off fines, and works to re-establish their right to vote.”

And that’s just the beginning of what they offer Richmond’s veterans. For the thousands that return from war with PTSD, they recommend proper mental health facilities and specialists that help them work through that trauma. For homeless veterans, they seek to find adequate housing, and if qualified, assist them in becoming homeowners. Statistics also show that 25% of women in the military have experienced sexual trauma, and Mack

“...this organization’s missi who fought for this nation’ enjoy those liberties

and staff work with them, too. Overcoming that trauma and filing claims for their benefits is top priority for the organization, and they work diligently to provide resources for those women.

All-in-all, VHVNOW is the ultimate support system for those who have risked their lives for the USA. They’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, and Mack has made it his life mission to streamline the process to receiving benefits, disability, and any other need of our military veterans.

Congressman Bobby S “The difference between our veterans’ organization and others is that we’ve actually gone through the process,”

ping Veterans

n Dream Alive for Veterans

By Janna M. Hall

example, if a veteran files a claim and is denied, they have between 60 days to a year to file a Notice of Disagreement and receive a second chance. It’s a common misconception that simply being a veteran and fighting for your country ensures you benefits and resources. Mack explains that you must have a solid, well-rounded claim.

“Many people get denied because they lack a claim that plainly states the facts,” Mack explains. “You must remember the date, time, conditions, the unit, and the location.”

ion is to ensure that those ’s safety and freedom may s upon their return.”

James Adams explains. He spent six years in the U.S. Army, and with the organization’s help was able to receive his benefits in five months. “It took Mr. Mack 30 years to get a claim done, and we’re finding that it happens to most people of color when they begin the process.”

Scott and Henry Mack

Knowing first-hand how difficult it is for all veterans, but particularly people of color, they’re proud to be able to shorten the process and get them what’s rightfully theirs.

Even with their inside knowledge and experience, there are still roadblocks encountered along the way. For

“It all comes down to presentation,” Adams adds. “And that’s where Mack comes in. He lays out what they need, and asks the important questions. What claim are you filing? What do you have to support your information? Where and when did it happen? And it has to be presented in a nice fashion.”

Though an arduous process, Mack, Adams, and VHVNow has a 99% success rate. Mack makes it a point, though, to stress the importance of what he calls the trinity: physical, mental, and spiritual health. Food and money will soon depart, so while they will work on your claim, it’s important to have those three things in tact. That’s key, and oftentimes a factor many veterans neglect while focusing on the financial aspect.

Hundreds of veterans in the Richmond and surrounding areas have benefitted from the pro bono work put forth by the dedicated VHVNow organization, but Mack admits that he still needs help from politicians.

“Governor Terry McAuliffe has put forth major effort to turn around the homeless population,” he says. “He pushes the idea that no veteran should be homeless, hungry, and without health care. So I’m proud of that. But we also need

more financial resources. That’s what drives these types of organizations.”

In addition to financial support, Adams believes a true change will occur when more veterans are put to work in the fields that they have the most experience in: veteran’s affairs.

“We have a lot of civilians who work at the V.A., and in many towns, those people could care less about how they treat the veterans.

Our next president needs to ensure that the V.A. is properly served by making sure veterans actually work there. It’s hard for someone to serve what they don’t understand.”

Their other concern is that we as a country are ill-prepared for the influx of traumatized troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the system is now overloaded.

People aren’t getting care quickly enough because we don’t have enough staff there to make sure it happens.

Politicians need to make sure enough money is set aside to hire more people, and those people need to be veterans.

VHVNOW is continually working with the Richmond community, including high schools and JROTC programs to allow our youth to serve our local veterans. They work diligently to raise money to support their efforts, efforts which are primarily funded by Mack and Adams. What better way to respect, honor, and sacrifice for the men and women who have sacrificed it all for our freedom?

“We’ve got your back, and that’s the true American Dream,” Mack reinforces. “Veterans have defended this country and preserved the American way of life, and we owe it to give back to them.”

Photos submitted by Veterans for Veterans NOW

www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

7

The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Make Sure Every Dollar You Give to Charity Counts Deciding to make a charitable contribution can arise from a desire to help others, a passionate commitment to a cause or the aim to give back to a group that once helped you or a loved one. Choosing which organizations you want to support can be difficult. There are over a million public charities in the United States according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, and every dollar you give to Charity A is a dollar you might not be able to match for Charity B. Whether it’s a friend’s charity run or supporting an animal rescue, often the decision to give comes down to a mix of internal and external factors. You have to determine which causes are most important to you, and with outside help you can compare how effective various charities are at using their funding.

your donation will be used. Otherwise, your money might not directly support those affected by the crisis.

Donating to a non-profit with effective programs and processes is the way to go if you’re trying to help as many people as possible, but you can also make contributions to individuals or families through a crowd-funding website. There’s something special about knowing exactly who and how you’re helping, and they’ll appreciate the aid from a stranger. Similarly, you can help entrepreneurs by making a microfinance loan through a nonprofit. You can relend the money you’re paid back to continue supporting small businesses. non-profits that evaluate and rate charities. You can find their guidance online and use it to compare charities and inform your gifting.

Many non-profits do incredible work, but it’s always smart to verify their claims. You can start your due diligence by double Sometimes a specific event rather than a general cause can spur checking an organization’s tax-exempt status using the Internal you into action. When this happens, if you want to be sure that Revenue Service’s (IRS) Exempt Organizations Select Check Tool. your money goes to support that particular cause you might Once you verify its non-profit status, you want to make sure want to narrow your search to charities that let you specify how it’s well run and makes a significant impact. There are several

If you’re looking for ways to increase your contribution, ask your employer if it has a matching program. Some companies will double, or even triple, your gift to select nonprofits. If your company doesn’t offer such a program, you could speak to your human resources department or boss about establishing one.

Third-parties also fund matching campaigns for charities.

You can ask a charity if there’s a campaign running and make sure Continues to Page 11

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Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

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The Intersection of Health & Politics

A Community Forum with Governor L. Douglas Wilder and Dr. Louis W. Sullivan

The members of the James River Valley (VA) Chapter of the Links with Kym Grinnage, VP/GM of NBC12 WWBT, Dr, Louis W. Sullivan, Governor L. Douglas Wilder and Dr. Joseph Johnson, Acting President, Virginia Union University. Photo: Max Williams

Two historic figures, both born in the Jim Crow south, shared their personal paths to education and public service at a forum on Monday, October 10, 2016 in the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center at Virginia Union University.

The James River Valley (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosted a provocative forum with two historymaking, renowned speakers, Governor L. Douglas Wilder and Dr. Louis W. Sullivan. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Kym Grinnage, Vice President and General Manager of NBC 12/WWBT. The forum included an interactive question and answer discussion with the speakers. After the discussion, there was a book signing and reception with the distinguished speakers. Governor Wilder is the author of “Son of Virginia”. Dr. Sullivan is the author of “Breaking Ground: My Life in Medicine”. Two hundred books were given to local high school and college students thanks to the generosity of two local donors of the Credit Adjustment Board, CEO Josh Rahman and President Nick Roupas.

Lawrence Douglas Wilder is the first African American to be elected as governor in the U.S. and first African-American to serve as governor of any state since www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Reconstruction. Wilder served as the 66th Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. When earlier elected as Lieutenant Governor, he was the first African American elected to statewide office in Virginia. His most recent political office was Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, which he held from 2005 to 2009. The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is at Virginia Commonwealth University.

FUNdraising from page 2

voice instead of being invited to meetings.”

But she’s not going it alone. At the luncheon, President Hall introduced leaders from Achieving the Dream, an education reform network of more than 200 community colleges across the country focused on increasing student success for the nations’ underserved student populations. ATD has a proven methodology for changing students’ futures. With guidance from ATD, Southwest will begin a proven change process that benefits students.

This focus on change doesn’t mean students aren’t already successful. They are.

Students continue to graduate and attain personal success. But Dr. Hall won’t let the successes obscure the reality that not enough students are securing the education

and skills they seek. She is not afraid to tell the truth: “We know we’re doing things wrong.” She is open about the status of the college. More importantly, she shared details about the road forward, inviting stakeholders to become part of the solution.

Now that’s a real story.

Think about this as you approach donors: Is your organization telling a real story and inviting donors to become part of the change?

Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of the new book FUNdraising Good Times Classics Vol. 1 now available on Amazon.com.

For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Dr. Louis Wade Sullivan served the American people as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in addition to founding the prestigious Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. The Sullivan Alliance is a national organization founded by Dr. Sullivan. Under the leadership of Dr. Sullivan, the purpose of the agency is to create diversity, equity, and access to the health professions for racial or ethnic minorities.

The Links, Incorporated is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations in the United States. The organization works to enrich and improve the lives of the community through the programs and activities of their five Facets, which are Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services.

Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

9

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Keep it simple Stubblefield says anything that cooks fast on the grill is great for tailgating – burgers, hotdogs, chicken – and to bring on the flavor without having to pack a carload of ingredients, use sauces, rubs and

marinades.

Prepare as much food as you can ahead of time and have a checklist for the things you always need but are easy to forget, like napkins and tin foil.

Grilling tips For perfectly shaped, evenly cooked burgers, make a thumbprint in the middle of each patty before grilling. Amp up the flavor by rubbing your burgers with barbecue rub before putting them on the grill – just like you would a brisket or ribs.

No matter what you’re making, wait to put the sauce on until the very end of grilling to avoid charring and burning.

For dozens of easy, delicious tailgating recipes, visit stubbsbbq.com.

Toasted Pecan Burgers

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1

pound ground chuck

1/4 cup chopped red onion 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Mix together chuck, onion, pecans, bell pepper, sauce and rub. Shape into 4 patties.

Prepare grill for direct cooking. When coals are ashed over in charcoal grill, spread them in bottom of grill so food can cook directly over coals.

1

tablespoon finely chopped green bell pepper

3

tablespoons barbecue sauce

2

tablespoons barbecue spice rub

Grill burgers over direct, medium heat, first on one side then the other, 7-10 minutes, until they reach desired doneness.

Medium burgers register an internal temperature of 160oF. Serve with your favorite burger toppings on toasted buns.

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your donation qualifies. Unless there’s a pressing reason to make a donation today, you may want to put your money aside and wait until a matching campaign starts.

Giant/Martin’s Customers Donate More Than $588,000 Toward Local Food Banks And Pantries GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets’ customers donated $588,075 during the annual Bag Hunger campaign, held during September in all stores, to support local and regional food banks in four states. This is the second Bag Hunger campaign GIANT/MARTIN’S conducted for hunger relief efforts this year.

“GIANT/MARTIN’S remains committed to the fight against hunger by supporting You might be able to increase your financial impact without our local food banks and pantries in outside help if you can claim a tax deduction for your donation. their ongoing mission to help feed our Calculate your tax savings each year and put the money back into neighbors, ” said Tom Lenkevich, GIANT/ your charity fund. Donated-related deductions can sometimes be MARTIN’S president. “I want to thank all confusing, and you may want to check with a tax professional or of our generous customers and associates look online for tips from the IRS. who make our Bag Hunger campaigns so Your charitable gift could be the start of a legacy of giving among successful.” your family. By making donations a regular event during your Major recipient food banks include children’s formative years, you’re establishing charitable giving as the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, a family value that they can take into their adult lives. To engage children, make a donation to support a child’s favorite cause and show them how the money makes a difference. For example, you could follow up a donation to a non-profit animal rescue with a visit to the shelter to see how the money helps the staff take care of the animals.

Bottom line. Making a donation is one way to support a cause you believe in and ensure your gift has a meaningful impact.

You can do this by having money available when it’s needed, donating to worthwhile charities, looking for ways to increase your financial impact and passing on a legacy of giving.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs.

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Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley, FeedMore - Central Virginia Food Bank, Greater Berks County Food Bank, Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster, Maryland Food Bank – Western Branch and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Virginia.

In 2015, GIANT/MARTIN’S donated $12.3 million to approximately 100 hunger relief agencies through customer, vendor and corporate support. Part of that effort included its signature Meat the Needs program which delivered more than one million pounds of safe, nutritious and much needed meat to regional food banks and pantries for families in need. To learn more about GIANT/MARTIN’S hunger relief programs, go to www.giantfoodstores. com/live-well/community/fightinghunger/.

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TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll Vice President Joe Biden said Bill Clinton “paid a price” for his past personal scandals and that they “shouldn’t matter” in the current campaign, drawing a distinction between those sexual allegations and the recent Trump allegations of sexual assault.

What’s your take? Should Bill’s past

transgressions be fair game in Hillary’s run for the White House?

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Urban Views Weekly | October 19, 2016

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