March 8th, 2010
The Central Virginia Foodbank needed volunteers for its innovative and successful program that helps ensure that children in the Richmond region have nutritious meals for the weekend. M. H. West & Co., Inc.(WEST) joined Continental Societies, Inc., CarMAx and a few other organizations to fill approximately 2000 backpacks in three hours. In each backpack are 8 nutritious meals consisting of non-perishable food that is ready to eat or drink.
Participating for M. H. West & Co., Inc. were Marilyn West, Joe Armstrong, Justin House, Julian House, Erica Cage and Meaghan West. The WEST team enjoyed the experience and looks forward to helping again along with the Continental Societies (Richmond Chapter) and others. “Giving Back to the Community” is a Building Block” of WEST.
Posted in M. H. West Company News, Richmond News | No Comments »
February 22nd, 2010
On February 22nd, 1960 34 Virginia Union students entered the lunch counter and Richmond Room at Thalhimers department store. The students were asked to leave. When they refused, they were arrested for trespassing. It marked one of the first mass arrests of the Civil Rights Movement. The students became known as the “Richmond 34″.
50 years later, Richmond CenterStage is honoring the Sit-In participants with an all-day event which includes: an education forum, a luncheon, a historical marker dedication and a performance by John Legend. The event attracted corporate sponsors such as Altria, Dominion, Genworth Financial, Marriott Richmond and SunTrust. M. H. West & Co., Inc.’s, Marilyn West was pleased to attend the Courage to Stand Up: Yesterday’s Lessons for Today Luncheon at the Richmond Marriott. Marilyn noted that the Richmond 34 were extraordinary individuals who not only impacted Richmond, but the nation as a whole.
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February 12th, 2010
With about 50 well-wishers and a handful of children in attendance, this year’s recipients of the YWCA Outstanding Women Awards were announced yesterday in the gymnasium of the organization’s downtown office.
The 10 winners — covering categories such as arts, health and religion — were selected from more than 80 nominees.
Criteria included impact on the community, leadership skills, personal and professional achievement, and commitment to the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and elevate children.
“These women have never left their vision to chance,” said Laura Lee Chandler, board president of the YWCA. “They’re visionaries and pioneers . . . and inspire others to act.”
Read the rest of this entry »
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February 5th, 2010
More than three dozen organizations – including several community colleges and youth-serving agencies – will split $150 million in “green jobs” grants released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The grants – dubbed Pathways out of Poverty grants and part of a larger, $500 million green jobs initiative under the Recovery Act – are meant to help disadvantaged communities “gain access to the good, safe and prosperous jobs of the 21st century green economy,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said in a statement announcing the grants.
The labor secretary said green jobs offer “tremendous opportunities” for those who are prepared to work them.
That’s where youth-serving agencies and organizations such as CNY Works Inc. – one of 38 organizations to be awarded the grants – come in. Read the rest of this entry »
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January 15th, 2010
M. H. West & Co., Inc.’s Marilyn West and Joe Armstrong attended the Retail Merchants Association’s First Forum Series. The focus was PR for Small Business and featured a Panel of Professionals who offered Tips on Getting the Word Out About Your Business . Held at the Westin Richmond, the meeting was well attended with standing room only. Participating were Lisa Schaffner, the Director of Public Relations and Marketing for UNOS, who served as moderator of the panel of other professionals who included: Greg Gillian of the Richmond Times Dispatch, Aaron Kremer of RichmondBizSense.com, Bernard Niemeier of Virginia Business Magazine, Sean Ryan of Hobbs & Associates and Phaedra Hise a freelance writer who formerly wrote for Inc. Magazine. The panelists offered their perspectives on approaches and strategies for grabbing the attention of the editors and writers of daily and monthly newspapers and other publications, distinguishing between news and PR. Takeaways for Joe, who counts marketing among his responsibilities at WEST, include building relationships with your local media, designing compelling stories and limiting the outlets receiving the material. Finally, Joe found the diversity in talent of the panelists added to the quality of the program.
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January 15th, 2010
M. H. West & Co., Inc. hopes to participate in at least one of the events to be held in conjunction with the inauguration of the 71st Governor of Virginia, Robert McDonnell. Obtaining tickets is a challenge. Among the many activities is the Swearing-In Ceremony which will occur at noon on Saturday, January 16th and the First Lady’s Luncheon which takes place the next day at the Omni Richmond Hotel. Other inaugural events taking place in Richmond include: The Benefactors’ Gala (Friday, January 15), the Prayer Breakfast (Saturday, January 16), the Inaugural Parade (Immediately following the Swearing-In Ceremony), the Inaugural Ball (Saturday, January 16) and the Governor’s Mansion Open house (Sunday, January 17).
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January 15th, 2010
M. H. West & Co., Inc. associates Marilyn West, Meaghan West and Erica Cage attended the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) January meeting at the Willow Oaks Country Club on January 12th. The theme of the meeting was “New Year, New You!” and it featured a presentation by Dr. Joe Niamtu on defying facial aging. He addressed both surgical and non-surgical methods options on keeping a healthy looking face. Next Paula Altman conducted a Zumba class at the meeting. Zumba is an intense dance-aerobics workout that is becoming more and more popular with fitness instructors. All three associates claimed to have participated in the Zumba class. Unfortunately, there is no photographic evidence to back this up!
Marilyn, Meaghan and Erica each enjoyed NAWBO’s meeting and thought it was a postive start to the year.
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January 14th, 2010
M. H. West & Co., Inc. was a table sponsor for the 32nd Annual Community Leaders’ Breakfast Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Luther King, Jr. on January 15th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. WEST associates Marilyn West, Ned Conway, Eugene Sampey, Meaghan West, Julian House, Erica Cage and Joe Armstrong all enjoyed the program. Virginia Union University has sponsored this event since its inception. This year Virginia Union University President Dr. Claude G. Perkins was the host.
The keynote speaker was Louis Sullivan, M.D. who gave an interesting speech on the need for more diversity among health professionals. Other speakers included: Governor Tim Kaine (on his last day in office), Mayor Dwight Jones, Senior Vice President at Dominion, Robert Blue and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Virginia Union, Dr. Frank Royal. The Virginia Union Singers did a great job of performing musical selections throughout the event.
It was interesting to hear from the many speakers how the words, ideals and actions of Dr. King influenced their lives and inspired them to make the world a better place. It was inspiring that Dr. King used innovative methods (at the time) to achieve his goals which were the timeless principles of equality and dignity.
Please see this link for more information on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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January 14th, 2010
Aid officials struggled Friday to rush rescue equipment, food and medical assistance to Haiti, but they faced enormous logistical hurdles as they sought to rescue, feed and treat tens of thousands of trapped or injured Haitians three days after a devastating earthquake.
Food distribution is going “very badly,” said Benoit Thiry, deputy country director of the World Food Program.
A day earlier, his agency had been able to distribute high-energy biscuits to only 1,700 people in Port-au-Prince, a city of 2 million. The group was aiming to reach more than 10,000 people Friday. Read the Entire Article
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January 11th, 2010
Martin Luther King Jr. has now been dead longer than he lived. But what an extraordinary life it was.
At 33, he was pressing the case of civil rights with President John Kennedy. At 34, he galvanized the nation with his “I Have a Dream” speech. At 35, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. At 39, he was assassinated, but he left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues today.
This Web site, first created by The Seattle Times in 1996, contains the story of a remarkable man, images of a tumultuous time, and perspectives of politicians, academics, students and the many, ordinary citizens whose lives he touched. We invite you to explore it.
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