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August 2021
CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
Member News is a monthly newsletter that provides news about Chamber members.
CAREER CHOICE & ASPHIRE PROGRAMS
SOVAH HEALTH & MEDICAL SOLUTIONS ACADEMY: CNA EDUCATION PROGRAM
Sovah Health and Medical Solutions Academy [MSA] have launched a Certified Nursing Assistant [CNA] Education Program to fill a regional workforce shortage for certified nursing assistants. The 5-week certificate program will help develop and retain regional talent and meet recruitment needs for the hospital. In addition to earning a certificate, students will benefit from working while learning in paid positions.
Classes and clinicals are currently only offered on our Danville campus, however, after completion of the program students will have a choice to work on either campus. Opportunities for clinical rotations on the Martinsville campus will ensue.

Sovah Health will financially cover 100% of the costs for the training program and examination fee, with the classes being held at the Medical Solutions Academy.
LUGGAGE DRIVE FOR FOSTER CARE
During the months of July and August, Alliance Human Services will be collecting new luggage and duffle bags for our foster kids. Almost all foster children come into care with what little belongings they have in a black trash bag...help them change that! You can do something small and make a big difference by donating a new suitcase or duffle bag to a foster kid. Contact Alliance Human Services for more information. The designated drop off location is their office located at 341 Main Street, Danville, VA.
DRF: APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR SECOND COHORT OF COLLABORATION LAB
DRF is excited to announce that applications are now open for the second cohort of Collaboration Lab, a partnership between Danville Regional Foundation, Healthy Places by Design and the Tamarack InstituteAt DRF, we fundamentally believe in the power of collaboration to transform our region. We are committed to supporting the structures, networks and connections that lift up community voices, bring people together to tackle our communities’ challenges and ultimately make this a great place to live. This work doesn’t happen without dedicated people who work tirelessly to make a difference in our region.
 
With that in mind, we’re recruiting for a second cohort of Collaboration Lab, a ten-month opportunity to come together with other regional leaders from a variety of disciplines to share and discover the best strategies for creating and strengthening collaborative networks. Collaboration Lab is designed as a learning journey to build cross-sector relationships, enhance collaborative leadership skills and develop practical skills for meaningfully engaging people in sustained collaboration. Applications will be open until August 13 and we highly encourage individuals from all sectors to apply.

For more information, you can find the full invitation and program description on the DRF website, and you can apply online here. If you have questions, please contact Annie Martinie at amartinie@drfonline.org.
THE LAUNCH PLACE & THE ANGEL CAPITAL ASSOCIATION PARTNER ON OCTOBER EVENT
The Launch Place and the Angel Capital Association [ACA]’s Angel University are partnering to bring together angel investors and entrepreneurs to learn, share and network. This two-day event offers a unique experience for both angel investors and entrepreneurs that will be filled with immersive learning and networking. Attendees will begin the two-day event with ACA Angel University and conclude with a fast-paced pitch competition where winners will walk away with $15,000 to move their ventures forward.

ACA Angel University will offer two courses valuable to both angel investors and entrepreneurs—Angel Exit Strategy and Valuation. This is the first time these two courses are being taught with angels and entrepreneurs learning together. Angels learn how to value startup companies and how to harvest the value of their investments helping their companies generate successful exits. Entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of how angels think leading to stronger partnerships.

The Big Launch Challenge, a competition targeting the best startups in the country, is a unique opportunity to see 10 leading startups as they compete for $15,000 in prize money. Over the past 8 years of hosting this competition, The Launch Place has awarded $159,000 to 14 companies. The Launch Place strives to foster an environment for new and serial entrepreneurs in which they can raise capital and have access to support services they need to take their products and/or solutions into the marketplace.

The two-day event will begin on October 13 in the afternoon with ACA Angel University and end with the Big Launch Challenge starting at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14. Companies interested in participating in the Big Launch Challenge must complete an application. The deadline to apply is August 16, 2021. Registration to attend these events will open later.
GOD'S STOREHOUSE WELCOMES NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Rachel McKinney joined God’s Storehouse in May as the Assistant Director. She also coordinates the Malcom Huckabee Backpacks program.

Her contact information is:
434.793.3663 x 307
DANVILLE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS & HISTORY: ANNUAL ATTIC SALE
Come find bargains at the DMFAH Annual Attic Sale, an upscale tagged event for bargain and treasure hunters.

The Attic Sale will be open to the public August 7–21 at the Danville Museum Auditorium [975 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541].

Monday–Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. | Saturday 12-4 p.m. | Sunday 2-4 p.m.
During the Annual Attic Sale, admission is waved for all guests, so come tour the Museum as well as search for bargains!

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History has teamed up with the Danville Historical Society, The Wednesday Club, Goodwill Industries and the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness [CCECC] to bring you one of the best beloved Attic Sales in Danville. This annual fundraiser has excited bargain hunters for many years and the enthusiasm for this “once a year” event has not waned.
LETTERPRESS COMMUNICATIONS: OPEN POSITION
Letterpress is hiring [AGAIN]!

If you know of anyone that may be a good fit for Letterpress, do not hesitate to share our listings link with them!

Letterpress Communications is looking for an account executive who can work with the director of account services to create relationships with clients and build trust. As a client’s primary marketing advisor, the account executive must understand the client’s industry and needs and deliver solutions.
  • Compensation $30-$40/hour

in addition to the openings listed, we are always also looking to expand our team of contractors. If you know someone that could provide copy editing, copywriting, graphic design, videography or photography services, please have them send their resume, cover letter and work samples to cynthia@letterpresscommunications.com.

We are open to both remote and local employees. First preference will be given to someone who can be in the Farmville-area once a week [We currently have offices in Farmville and Staunton, VA and are looking to expand into an office in South Boston/Danville area].

Letterpress offers benefits to full-time employees including vacation, paid holidays, simple IRA contributions, performance bonuses and a health-insurance stipend. 
AVERETT FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS
SEC GIVES LAPTOPS TO AREA STUDENTS
A dozen rising high school seniors across Southside Electric Cooperative’s 18-county service area will receive new laptop computers this summer through the YouthTECH program. Students had a choice of a Dell personal computer or an Apple MacBook. The laptops have been ordered, and the students will get them at an event in Crewe later this summer.

SEC created YouthTECH after the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., was canceled this summer due to continuing concerns about COVID-19. 
Selected to receive laptops were Bethany Duncan, Liberty High School in Bedford; Jasmine Harris, Prince Edward County High School; Peyton Coleman, Amelia County High School; Olivia Oen, Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford; Jacob Stallard, Kenston Forest in Nottoway; Julianna Crawford, Rustburg High School in Campbell; Mason Kinne, Prince Edward County High School; William Cousins, Dinwiddie High School; Braden Cliborne, Nottoway High School; Mariah Paras, Cumberland High School; Savannah Maloughney, Dinwiddie High School; and Hans Rehme, Powhatan High School.

YouthTECH was open to any 11th-grade student who lives and attends school in one of SEC’s 18 counties. Students’ parents or guardians did not have to receive electricity from SEC. This was the second year Youth Tour was canceled because of the pandemic. In 2020, SEC provided a cash award to the students who had been selected for Youth Tour before it was canceled.
SVHEC: WELDING AND HVAC WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS FALL 2021
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center [SVHEC] is now recruiting for the next cohort of Welding@SVHEC AND HVAC@SVHEC students.

Individuals interested are invited to attend an upcoming information session to learn more about the Welding@SVHEC AND the HVAC@SVHEC programs. The sessions will be held Monday-Thursday starting July 26-August 12 from noon until 2 p.m. Attending an information session is required before enrolling in these programs. Cut-off for enrollment is 1 week prior to class beginning on August 31 [August 24 is the final day to sign up].

Welding@SVHEC trainees receive hands on training in Stick, MIG, Flux Core, and TIG welding on both plate and pipe, as well as OSHA 10 General Industry training. Trainees will acquire knowledge and skills in welding safety and quality, arc welding equipment and setup, thermal cutting, and joint fit up and alignment, just to name a few.

HVAC@SVHEC trainees will learn in-demand skills like heating, cooling, air distribution, refrigerants and oils, heat pumps, basic maintenance, and more. In less than a year, individuals may earn several industry-recognized certifications including NCCER HVAC Core, Level 1 and 2 and OSHA 10 General Industry.

Financial assistance is available to help with program costs. Individuals interested in enrolling in either of these programs, including recent high school graduates, incumbent workers, and unemployed/dislocated workers, should contact Meagan Owen, LPC Coordinator for Learner Success & Engagement at 434.572.5566 or welding@svhec.org.
WAKG: RECRUITMENT ADVERTISEMENT
LIGHTHOUSE FOODS: OPEN POSITIONS
COUGAR BUSINESS FEST
GOODWILL HIRING YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST
Goodwill has a Full-Time Temporary position, Youth and Family Services Specialist, available that is new for the Danville Westover location.

Those interested in the position can apply through the website at www.goodwillvalleys.com and list they heard of the position through the chamber listing.
MVP TO ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY FOR OPERATIONAL EMISSIONS
Mountain Valley Pipeline recently announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality for its operational emissions, beginning with MVP’s in-service and continuing for its initial 10 years of operations. This would make MVP one of the first interstate natural gas transmission pipelines in the U.S. to fully offset carbon emissions from its operations.

MVP's effort is entirely voluntary and is one element of Mountain Valley’s broader efforts to protect the environment while meeting public need for affordable, domestic energy. Mountain Valley will spend more than $150 million on carbon offsets during the first 10 years of MVP’s in-service operations. The cornerstone of the plan will come through support for a new methane abatement project in southwest Virginia, which will cut statewide underground coal mining emissions by about 25 percent.

The offsets, which will be verified annually and registered with the nonprofit American Carbon Registry, will comply with standards set by the California Air Resources Board, widely regarded as the most rigorous offset standards in the market today. MVP is also pursuing additional greenhouse gas abatement projects in West Virginia, including a substantial effort to address abandoned and orphaned gas wells.

In the past several years, Mountain Valley also has provided millions of dollars to support conservation of more than 4,500 acres of land; support tree and vegetation planting and monitoring; and support water quality protection, restoration and improvement priorities.

Mountain Valley is continuing to work through the regulatory process to resolve permitting for waterbody crossings, and crews have resumed construction in upland areas. Total project work on the MVP is more than 92 percent complete, and a summer 2022 in-service date is targeted for the project.
SOVAH ARTICLES
Your Health Now: 4 Simple Ways Men Can Take Control of Their Health Today

There is a long-standing perception that women tend to focus on their health more than men do. Unfortunately, it’s a perception that rings all too true. A survey cited in a 2019 article from AARP found that only half of the men surveyed get regular check-ups and 72 percent preferred household chores over going to the doctor. While it’s true that women are more accustomed to regular doctor visits from an early age, it’s not an excuse for men to take their eye off the ball when it comes to their health.
Data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that life expectancy for men is five years less than women. There are a number of factors contributing to this statistic. While heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women, men tend to have it earlier and are 50 percent more likely than women to die from it. Suicide rates are higher for men and its been shown that men are less likely than women to maintain healthy eating and exercise.

So, how can men defy the stats and get and stay healthy? Here are four simple things you can do to give your health the attention it needs now.
The Heat is On: How to Stay Cool and Spurn the Burn

When the sun comes out to play, many of us make plans to do the same. The summer months bring the promise of backyard barbecues, pick-up games in the park and wasting away lazy afternoons in the water. This year’s summer season feels extra special as COVID-19 vaccines have paved a way for us to once again gather together safely.

Summer also brings the heat – a potential threat to health that we should all stay alert to preventing and treating. Heat-related illness can take on several different forms, from heat rash, sunburn and heat cramps, to even more serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat-related illnesses can strike when the body can’t properly cool itself through normal methods like sweating, and some heat-related illnesses can cause damage to essential organs, including the brain, and even be fatal.

Those who are most at risk for developing heat-related illness include senior adults, infants and children, those with chronic health conditions, athletes and outdoor workers. That doesn’t let everyone else off the hook, however. Heat-related illness can affect anyone, and additional factors can come into play, including high levels of humidity, obesity, prescription drug use, alcohol use and more. That’s why it’s important to know the different types of heat-related illness, how to prevent them, what to look out for and what to do if illness strikes.
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Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce | www.dpchamber.org
(T) 434.836.6990 | (F) 434.836.6955
150 Slayton Avenue | Danville, VA 24540