June 2020
CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
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PHASE TWO GUIDELINES
Governor Northam has presented the second phase of the Forward Virginia plan to continue safely and gradually easing public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. Click here to view the press release.
DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING: DANVILLE AND PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY
FREE MARKETING KITS AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES
The “Standing Together, Six Feet Apart” awareness campaign was created in partnership with the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, the Danville Health Department, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and Danville Regional Foundation to provide information and encouragement to the community as local establishments are reopened.

Danville businesses can pick up a marketing kit at any Danville Fire Department station. Pittsylvania County will be distributing the materials to businesses in the county.
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION [SEO] WEBINAR
When: Thursday, June 11 | 12-1 p.m.
Where: Online
How do I increase traffic to my website? Why is Google not listing my site first?

Learn these answers on the Southern Piedmont Technology Council webinar on Search Engine Optimization [SEO] on June 11. SEO is the process of increasing the quality and quantity of website traffic by increasing the visibility of a website or a web page to users of a web search engine. Dustin Slightham, CEO at 434 Marketing, will provide an overview of what SEO is, how it works and what are the benefits for your business. 

Topics that will be discussed include:
  • Overview of how search engines index context
  • Aligning with what Google cares most about
  • Defining your audience’s search needs
  • Matching your audience to search behavior 
  • Backlinks and Keywords
  • Key differences between B2B, B2C, and Local Search
AVERETT UNIVERSITY CONFERS MORE THAN 200 DEGREES TO SPRING GRADUATES
The 202 graduates include 14 veterans and three international graduates from Finland, Norway and Sweden. Just under half of the graduates are adults who completed their degrees through the University’s Graduate and Professional Studies [GPS] program. The University conferred degrees at both the baccalaureate and master’s level.

In the absence of Averett’s semi-annual, in-person commencement ceremony, which was postponed due to pandemic public health guidelines, spring graduates will be honored in December when they will have the opportunity to participate in the traditional pomp and circumstance of a college graduation ceremony with their classmates receiving their degrees in the winter. Averett will be combining it spring graduation traditions with its Winter Commencement exercises at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the E. Stuart James Grant Athletic and Convocation Center on Averett’s North Campus. In addition, Averett will hold a special celebratory event for all May 2020 graduates on the Friday evening before, which among other things, will include the recognition of seniors who won academic and major University awards.

Major university graduation award winners from the Class of 2020 include:

Traditional Undergraduate Awards:
  • Mary C. Fugate: Noel Dianne Muehlbauer
  • Grace V. Crenshaw: Andrew Walker Lancaster
  • C.L. Davenport Award For Excellence: Tyler Campbell
  • Curtis Bishop Award: Andruw Cain
  • American Legion Citizenship Award: Rosa Morales

Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Awards:
  • Malcolm Knowles Award: Katie Callow Whisenant
  • Frank Campbell Award: Steven Mark Neville

Averett is making plans to re-open this fall for in-person classes with the social distancing and other precautions necessary to ensure the health and safety of the members of our community. The University is working diligently on a range of scenarios, all of which will be guided by public health guidelines concerning the COVID-19 virus, including restrictions pertaining to classroom and housing configurations; extra-curricular activities and event sizes; dining options; travel; community engagement, etc.

“We will share updates as soon as we can, but no matter the circumstances, our students will be able to continue moving forward with their education,” said Franks.
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES SURVEY
The Danville MPO is in the process of updating its 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan, and we need your input for the region's transportation priorities! If you live or work in Danville or the neighboring area of Pittsylvania County, please consider taking this engaging and interactive survey to provide your input into transportation priorities for the area through 2045.
Deadline to participate: June 22
WOMACK PUBLISHING OFFERS NEW SERVICES
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE OFFERS MEDICARE 101 EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
You are invited to attend a virtual Medicare 101 Educational Seminar.  Although we can’t be together in person, we can, through technology, educate you on Medicare, its timelines and how the various parts fit together.  
 
If you are unable to attend any of the virtual seminars and have questions about Medicare or need assistance in signing up for a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, or Part D plan, please call your local Farm Bureau office or our toll free line at 1.800.229.7779. You can also request a quote at  www.vafb.com/health .
 
Please RSVP below, and include:
  • Your name
  • County
  • Email address
  • Date of the seminar you wish to attend
 
We will email you the seminar link a week prior to the seminar chosen. The email will come from Virginia Farm Bureau Health Insurance.
 
The seminars will be held via WebEx and the dates are:  

June Seminars
  • Tuesday, June 9 – 6:00 pm
  • Thursday, June 11 – 10:00 am
  • Tuesday, June 23 – 6:00 pm
 
July Seminars
  • Wednesday, July 8 – 2:00 pm
  • Thursday, July 16 – 2:00 pm 
  • Thursday, July 30 – 6:00 pm
 
August Seminar
  • Tuesday, August 25 – 2:00 pm
NOW: CALL FOR EMPLOYER PARTICIPATION
GATEWAY HEALTH CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Founded in 1995, Gateway Health knows it is fortunate to be able to celebrate 25 years of business. 

Executive Director, Brett Jackson, states, “Celebrating the 25th anniversary of our company in the midst of a global pandemic is not something we ever expected. Our company looks very different from what it did in 1995.” 

Gateway Health has evolved into a multi-faceted organization that supports health care on all levels. Gateway excels at managing employer’s health plans, maintaining provider networks, and facilitating member health through wellness coaching and disease management. Gateway also works to support hospitals and physician offices by ensuring that their patients are getting the comprehensive care management they need. 

“It’s this company’s ability to evolve and the dedicated group of talented employees that support that growth and constant improvement, which has enabled us to still be growing and thriving 25 years later,” says Jackson. Gateway Health has 35 employees including medical professionals that comprise its workforce.

One such group of dedicated employees are Community Health Workers. Gateway, in partnership with Piedmont Access to Healthcare, the Danville Regional Foundation, SOVAH Health, and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research has been a key player in this innovative new healthcare model. Community Health Workers serve as a link between community members and their healthcare. They provide outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. Director of Medical Management at Gateway Health, Monica Crews, MSN, RN states, “The Community Health Workers continually astound me. They work with some community members who are in dire situations including homelessness, terminal illness, domestic abuse and they never give up on helping their member get in a better situation.” 

Jackson says Gateway Health’s future lies in continuing to evolve to best meet the needs of healthcare. “If one positive can be said about the COVID-19 pandemic is that it highlights the efforts of medical professionals that work tirelessly for their patients. An inspiration to us all, we will continue to work with our members and clients to support their health and well-being.”

More information can be found about Gateway Health by vising  www.gatewayhealth.com .  
BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR CARGIVING FAMILY
Team Nurse, a Care Advantage Company, is hiring PCAs and CNAs to cover all shifts. We are looking for caregivers to provide exceptional service to those who need some daily help. Our caregivers are trained to help those who may need some assistance with activities of daily living to include dressing, bathing, eating, transferring, and toileting.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Preparing and cooking meals
  • Light housekeeping, laundry
  • Assist clients with personal care & hygiene
  • Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the home or outside (taking to appointments, going for walks)
  • Documenting daily activities
  • Reporting any changes in client’s health status to the office

We put the CARE into Career - Benefits include:
  • 1 to 1 caregiver to client ratio
  • Instant Pay through PayActive
  • Weekly paydays
  • Direct Deposit
  • Flexible hours and schedules
  • Exceptional Referral Incentives
  • Comprehensive Benefit Packages
  • Paid ongoing training
  • Satisfaction of knowing you helped someone who needed it most

If you are a Personal Care Aide or Certified Nursing Assistant, come join our caregiving family. We welcome the opportunity to speak to you regarding this or other Care Advantage opportunities. Call the local office for information.

Ask about our Virtual PCA Class SCHOLARSHIP Opportunity! 
FIREFLY YOGA OFFERS OUTDOOR YOGA
Firefly Yoga and the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History are partnering to offer socially distanced outdoor yoga, suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced.

Limited to 10 participants. Online pre-registration is required, and you will need to bring your own mat and props. The Saturday 9 a.m. class is FREE, thanks to a generous donation to the Museum. Other classes are $12. To sign up, please visit  www.fireflydanville.com/schedule .

Please bring the following:
  1. Yoga mat 
  2. Props, if desired [blocks and strap]
  3. Towel
  4. Water
  5. Hand sanitizer
  6. Mask
 
Per the Virginia Phase 1 guidelines:
  • Fitness centers must remain closed, but outdoor classes are allowed
  • Classes are limited to 10 participants 
  • Participants and instructors must maintain 10' [ten feet] of separation from each other 
  • Masks are not required to be worn while exercising
  • Social distancing guidelines should be followed while going to/from class - i.e. please maintain 6' [six feet] of separation from other people, and wear your mask
CONSIDER CARLISLE SCHOOL FOR THE FALL
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Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce | www.dpchamber.org
(T) 434.836.6990 | (F) 434.836.6955
8653 US Hwy 29 | PO Box 99 | Blairs, VA 24527