Century 21 Real Estate, In Partnership With The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Provide Scholarship Opportunities To Latinas In Miami

October 3, 2017

MADISON, N.J., Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the iconic CENTURY 21® brand, announced today the launch of the “Empowering Latinas” program, an educational and business opportunity that will help Latina entrepreneurs in South Florida earn a real estate license. In partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Century 21 Real Estate will not only provide 70 scholarships but C21^® affiliated brokers in the greater South Florida region will also mentor the scholarship awardees and offer them the opportunity to hone their craft with a local franchise affiliate.

“Not only is the Latina population booming in the United States, the impact of the ambicultural Hispanic woman as the primary household income earner and purchasing decision maker makes her a mainstream powerhouse and a real estate industry catalyst for entrepreneurial growth,” said Cara Whitley, chief marketing officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “Empowering Latinas is an opportunity for Hispanic women to advance their educational and career goals with a global family of brokers and agents who share similar cultural foundations like family, traditions, and an amazing work ethic.”

The “Empowering Latinas” scholarships cover the 63-hour course tuition fees for the Gold Coast School in the metropolitan Miami and Fort Lauderdale area plus the fees to take the Florida real estate agent exam.

“When you become part of the CENTURY 21 System, you’ll have the flexibility and entrepreneurial opportunity of being independently owned and operated along with joining a global brand committed to your personal growth,” said Melva Garcia, director of the luxury division and affiliated agent at CENTURY 21 Yarlex International Realty.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Friday, December 8, 2017. Go to the C21empoweringlatinas.com to find out more about the “Empowering Latinas” scholarship program, or to the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to complete the scholarship applications in English, http://hispanicheritage.org/empoweringlatinas/, or in Spanish, http://hispanicheritage.org/empoweringlatinas-spa/.

About Century 21 Real Estate LLC
Century 21 Real Estate LLC is comprised of approximately 7,450 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 79 countries and territories worldwide with more than 115,000 independent sales professionals. Century 21 Real Estate has numerous websites to help answer specific consumer needs. They are century21.com, century21global.com, commercial.century21.com, century21.com/finehomes, and espanol.century21.com.

©2017 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21^® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Contact:
Peter Mosca
Century 21 Real Estate LLC
Phone: 973.407.5180
Email: [email protected]

Polvora Advertising
Aleyso Bridger
Email: [email protected]

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/565811/CENTURY_21_REAL_ESTATE_LLC.jpg

SOURCE CENTURY 21

After Hurricane Irma, ¡Vive Tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!® Brings Needed Services and Day of Family Fun to Kissimmee

October 3, 2017

KISSIMMEE, Florida, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Saturday, October 7, 2017, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Hispanic Federation present the 2nd Annual ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® in Kissimmee, Florida. The event promotes physical activity and good nutrition in the Hispanic family for better health and wellness for people of all ages and sizes.

“For eleven years ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!, has provided nutrition education, free health screenings and wellness activities to communities across the nation,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. “We are grateful and proud of the work and energy of all our partners and hundreds of volunteers that make these events such a success and celebration of family, culture, and health.”

“It is an honor to work alongside teachers and students from Horizon Middle School in an event that, in addition to providing free health services to families in Osceola County, will promote our traditions as part of the nationwide Hispanic Heritage Month celebration,” said Rafael Palacio, Hispanic Federation Florida State Director. “We are excited to partner with organizations such as Orlando City Foundation, Florida Dairy Farmers, Hope and Help and many, many others, to bring this family-oriented event to Poinciana, Haines City, Davenport and Kissimmee residents,” added Palacio. He also highlighted that Hispanic Federation staff will be distributing information about their Hurricane Maria relief efforts. “We want to welcome families from Puerto Rico who have just moved to Central Florida because of the critical situation on the island. This will be a great opportunity to know about local resources and organizations.”

What: ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® event featuring —

Health Screenings: Kidney, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, flu shot & dental
Fitness: Zumba, volleyball, tennis, soccer and martial arts clinics
Nutrition: Fresh fruits and healthy snacks, along with educational resources
Family fun: Live music, dance performances, prizes and giveaways

Where: 2020 Ham Brown Road, Kissimmee, FL – at Horizon Middle School
When: Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: FREE!

“The National Alliance for Hispanic Health has a longstanding commitment to help create healthier communities. We are proud to contribute to their efforts through our continued support of ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! events,” said Robert Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. The Foundation is marking its 8^th year as a national sponsor of the ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event series.

The events are also supported nationally by the Healthy Americas Foundation. This is the 11^th anniversary of the ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event series that in its first decade has been attended by over 175,000 people and provided over 85,000 free health screenings.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Ismael Cala Celebrates 40th Year of his Career by Presenting the Cala Speakers Agency

October 3, 2017

MIAMI, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ismael Cala, best-selling author and life and business strategist, celebrated the 40^th year of his professional career – having started on the radio at the age of eight – by inaugurating new offices, as well as radio and TV studios, and introducing the representation and promotional agency, Cala Speakers.

“My first thought is to send wishes of solidarity, compassion and support to Mexico and Puerto Rico, areas that have been severely affected by natural disasters,” Cala noted at the start of the event.

At the debut of Cala Speakers, Cala emphasized that “many voices are necessary to create a movement. Diverse voices, but in unity with a single purpose: to transform lives and improve our societies.”

Wendy Sayago, executive director of Cala Speakers, explained that her objective is to create a community of leaders with the best influencers, experts and coaches to offer events and training solutions to public and private organizations.

Among the first members are Colombian producer, composer and four time Grammy winner, Kike Santander; award-winning Venezuelan writer and presenter, Boris Izaguirre; Miss Universe 1986, Bárbara Palacios; renowned journalist Glenda Umaña, and psychologist, TV host and author, Dr. Nancy Álvarez.

Additionally taking part are: Ingrid Macher, the most influential Hispanic woman in matters of health and wellbeing in the U.S. and Latin America; author and producer Luz María Doria; journalist and author Cecilia Ramírez Harris; physician and nutritionist Samar Yorde; and psychologist and presenter Tuti Furlán. Also joining are motivational speakers Laura Posada (U.S.A.), Maickel Melamed (Venezuela), Adriana Macías (Mexico), Juanpi Dolante (Panama), Elí Bravo (Venezuela), Felipe Viel (Chile), and Martín Llorens (Spain), among many other experts.

Two other important announcements were made at the event. Ismael Cala announced the addition of Rita Herrera de Ramírez as the new CEO of Cala Enterprises, and Ismael Cala Foundation ambassador Dilcia Ruán announced the next fundraising dinner, which will also feature an art auction, to be held on November 3, at 7PM, at Brickell Plaza in East Miami.

Event photos are available at: https://www.facebook.com/IsmaelCala/posts/1811661248861289

ABOUT ISMAEL CALA

Life and business strategist; bestselling author on the topics of leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development; ambassador for the concept of productive happiness in Latin America.

For more than five years, Cala hosted the primetime show “CALA” on CNN en Español. The New York Times has called him “the Latino Larry King.” He is currently considered one of most important communicators in the Americas, and his message of social entrepreneurship, mindfulness and wellbeing has impacted millions of people who follow his work in books, seminars, workshops and lectures.

Author of the bestsellers Despierta con Cala (‘Wake up with Cala’), La vida es una piñata (‘Life is a Piñata’), El analfabeto emocional (‘The Emotional Illiterate’), El poder de escuchar (‘The Power of Listening’), Un buen hijo de P… (‘A Real Son of a B…’) and El secreto del bambú (‘The Secret of Bamboo’), Cala was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1969, and holds a degree in Art History from the Universidad de Oriente. He is the co-author of the book “Beat the Curve,” with Brian Tracy. Ismael Cala graduated from the School of Communication at York University in Toronto and has a diploma from Seneca in Television Production.

Cala has worked with leading gurus Deepak Chopra y John C. Maxwell, and has studied with coaches such as Tony Robbins. He is President of Cala Enterprises Corporation and the Ismael Cala Foundation. For further information, visit: www.IsmaelCala.com.

SOURCE Cala Enterprises

Avon And The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Celebrate Its 25 Year Legacy Of Fighting Breast Cancer

October 3, 2017

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — New Avon LLC (“Avon“), the leading social selling company in North America, announced its efforts to build on its 25 year legacy of raising breast cancer awareness. With the help of its woman to woman network of Avon Representatives, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed more than $800 million globally to breast cancer causes, educated 180 million about breast health, and funded more than 145 million people about breast health.

“Avon has a long-standing commitment to women and we are proud of our Avon Breast Cancer Promise to ensure every woman, every day is breast health aware,” said Scott White, Chief Executive Officer, New Avon LLC. “Connections and conversations between women are at the heart of Avon. Over the last 25 years, our Representatives have united as a force for good in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. Each pink ribbon product sold, each brochure distributed, and every conversation can be a valuable trigger for women to take action for their own wellbeing.”

“There is still much work to be done in raising awareness of breast cancer, particularly its signs, risks and how to act on concerns about it,” said Dr. Paul Goss, Chairman of the Avon Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and Director of Breast Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Awareness is essential, since it increases the likelihood that breast cancer is detected at an early stage. Early detection is the most effective way of saving lives, it is crucial to tackling breast cancer.”

Avon and the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade work year round to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer. Among the initiatives launching in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, include:

“Shop for the Greater Goods,” an exclusive boutique featuring limited-edition Pink Hope fundraising products. Available through Avon Representatives, the collection offers unique products, including an official signature lipstick shade, Pure Pink, within the top-selling Avon True Color Perfectly Matte Lipstick line. Avon will donate 20% of net profits from these products – up to $1 million in 2017 – to the Avon Foundation for Women to support Avon Breast Cancer Crusade programs across the country.

Thousands of walkers, including many Avon Representatives and employees, will take part in the AVON 39 The Walk To End Breast Cancer as they walk 39 miles to raise awareness and funds in New York City on October 14 and 15. This is the seventh and final walk of the 2017 season which has raised more than $600 million dollars since its inception in 2003.

Launch of the new Avon Breast Cancer Crusade website which features the 8 Simple Steps to Check Yourself. The site also highlights the efforts the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is making to improve breast cancer outcomes and reduce disparities in survival rates.

Funds raised from all Avon Breast Cancer initiatives go towards programs such as the Avon Access to Care Program, which has awarded more than 790 grants to 200 hospitals across the country through the end of 2016, totaling more than $235 million. Funding also supports seven Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Centers of Excellence, all located at major academic medical centers. Avon grants enable these Centers to develop new programs to reach and treat the underserved populations in the respective communities, providing them direct access to the cutting-edge advancements in treatment and care that are being developed at these same institutions.

To learn more about Avon, to purchase a product from the Shop for the Greater Goods, or to locate an Avon Representative, visit avon.com.

About New Avon LLC

New Avon LLC (“Avon“) is the leading social selling beauty company in North America, with independent sales Representatives throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Avon’s product portfolio includes award-winning skincare, color cosmetics, fragrance and personal care products, featuring iconic brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, mark.by Avon, and Skin So Soft, as well as fashion and accessories. Avon has a 130 year history of empowering women through economic opportunity, and supporting the causes that matter most to women. Together, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed over $1 billion globally toward eradicating breast cancer and domestic violence. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avon.com.

About the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

Since 1992, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has been working to improve breast cancer outcomes and reduce disparities in survival rates. The Crusade’s strategic grant making reflects: a holistic and place-based approach in high-need areas throughout the United States; a commitment to enabling access to medical advances and support services for breast cancer patients, particularly those from vulnerable populations; and a commitment to investing in research on the prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of breast cancer. In the U.S., the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade manages the Avon Foundation for Women’s breast cancer programs. The Avon Foundation for Women partners with affiliate Avon Foundations and Avon markets around the world for additional programming. In total, Avon and the Foundation have contributed more than $800 million to breast cancer programs around the world through 2015. To learn more, visit www.avonbcc.org.

Contact: Sweta Shah; [email protected]

SOURCE New Avon LLC

Inspired by Wanderlust, Sherwin-Williams Names 2018 Color of the Year

October 3, 2017

CLEVELAND, OCT. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A fusion of rich blue with jewel-toned green, the 2018 Color of the Year, Oceanside SW 6496, represents the growing desire for color that is both accessible and elusive. A complex, deep color, Oceanside offers a sense of the familiar with a hint of the unknown, bridging between old and new, light and dark.

“Green-blues in deep values, such as Oceanside, respond to changes in light, which is a quality that creates intense dimension,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “It is a tremendously versatile color, and harmonizes with other diverse color groups.”

Bringing the Color of the Year into the home

Blues evoke a multitude of moods and associations depending on hue, shade and application. Despite this variety, they are universally perceived as intelligent, honest and interesting—making blue the most beloved color worldwide. Oceanside’s multi-dimensional look could create a welcoming statement as a lively color for a front door. This green-meets-blue tone can also boost creative thinking and clarity of thought in a home office, or invite meditation and introspection in bedrooms or reading nooks.

“People today have a growing sense of adventure, and it is making its way into even the coziest corners of our homes. We are craving things that remind us of bright folklore, like mermaids and expeditions across continents. Oceanside is the color of wanderlust right in our own homes,” says Wadden.

Oceanside’s versatility allows it to play well with many colors. It is a bright counterpart to equally eye-catching colors, such as Exuberant Pink SW 6840 or Honey Bees SW 9018, or it can rest relaxingly alongside other blues, such as In the Navy SW 9178.

It is also the ideal companion for corals and copper metallic tones. Oceanside is universally embraced by design styles from mid-century modern to Mediterranean-inspired, and traditional to ultra-contemporary.

The Color of the Year in commercial spaces

Oceanside offers familiar inroads to bold color for developers, builders and interior designers. As with other colors found in nature, Oceanside can channel healing and tranquil emotions, but also spur heightened levels of creativity—making for a peaceful first impression in an office or hotel lobby and a bright, imaginative environment in classrooms.

“Oceanside is reminiscent of the multi-tonal blues found in nature, offering a memorable, yet calming effect for public spaces,” says Wadden. “It is a new twist on navy, a common color for use in commercial spaces. When placed correctly, it is refreshing and offers dimension and depth as a statement color.”

Channeling the inspiration of indigenous patterns and artisan styles embraced by many community spaces, Oceanside pairs best in commercial settings with camel-colored neutrals such as Tatami Tan SW 6116 and Tamarind SW 7538. As a base color, it effortlessly accents pops of red, like Heartthrob SW 6866 or Borscht SW 7578.

About Sherwin-Williams 2018 Colormix Forecast

A part of the ‘Unity’ palette that was announced earlier this year, Oceanside is one of the colors in the 2018 Colormix Forecast. For more information on the annual Sherwin-Williams Colormix Forecast, visit swcolormix.com.

About Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year

Led by Director of Color Marketing Sue Wadden, the Sherwin-Williams global color and design team travels the world to research and identify key trends that influence the way we interact with color. From those findings, the team selects the strongest influence and then decides the Color of the Year. This is the eighth year Sherwin-Williams has named an official Color of the Year with the 2018 selection, Oceanside SW 6493. A list of colors selected includes: 2011: Indigo Batik SW 7602, 2012: Argyle SW 6747, 2013: Aloe SW 6464, 2014: Exclusive Plum SW 6263, 2015: Coral Reef SW 6606, 2016: Alabaster SW 7008, 2017: Poised Taupe SW 6039. For more information visit SWCOTY.com.

Ask Sherwin-Williams™
For more than 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As the nation’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,200 neighborhood stores across North America. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.com/hogar. Join Sherwin-Williams Latino on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/566620/Sherwin_Williams_Oceanside_6496_Door.jpg
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160522/370640LOGO

SOURCE Sherwin-Williams

CITGO Announces Donation of 50,000 Barrels of Diesel to Puerto Rico Relief Efforts

October 2, 2017

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — CITGO Petroleum Corporation, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., announced today that it will donate up to 50,000 barrels of diesel to Puerto Rico. The donation is to assist the federal, state and local authorities in providing services to those afflicted by Hurricane Maria’s devastating path.

CITGO, in conjunction with the Government of Puerto Rico and the Municipality of San Juan, will direct the barrels of diesel produced from the CITGO Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex to meet the pressing needs of public hospitals, nursing homes, shelters and other qualified organizations currently operating on diesel generators.

This donation is aligned with the company’s longstanding tradition of supporting disaster relief programs as part of social responsibility efforts in the communities in which it operates and beyond, such as the relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, for Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and most recently for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma which devastated Coastal Texas, Louisiana and Florida. In times of natural disasters, CITGO has made it a priority not only to help those affected but also to use the strength of its resources and operations to restore fuel supply to meet the energy needs in the region.

The hearts of the people of CITGO are with the people of Puerto Rico during this difficult time. CITGO hopes this donation will help alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable while electrical power is restored in the island.

About CITGO

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation

Motorists Can Celebrate Fall Car Care Month in Three Easy Steps

October 2, 2017

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — October is Fall Car Care Month, the ideal time of the year to pay special attention to that vehicle you depend on so much to get you where you are going, says the Car Care Council.

“Celebrating Fall Car Care Month with some basic service is as easy as one, two, three and it doesn’t have to take much time or money,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “In fact, many repair facilities and auto parts stores offer special pricing and promotions during the month of October, so this is the perfect time to give your vehicle a little TLC.”

The non-profit Car Care Council suggests following three easy steps to help keep your vehicle running safely, dependably and efficiently.

Schedule a vehicle inspection with your favorite professional service technician or do it yourself to make sure your vehicle is road ready for the winter months ahead.
Order a free copy of 80-page Car Care Guide at www.carcare.org/car-care-guide. The guide is perfect for the glove box and is a valuable reference for every car owner.
Sign up for the free custom service schedule at www.carcare.org/custom-service-schedule. With email reminders, the schedule will help you remember to keep car care on track.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org.

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/565941/BeCarCareAware.jpg

SOURCE Car Care Council

Teamsters Denounce False Reports of Work Stoppage by Union Drivers in Puerto Rico

October 2, 2017

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Teamsters Union denounces reports from online, anti-union sources that stated Teamster truck drivers in Puerto Rico have refused to move supplies from the port as part of an effort to leverage wage increases from the government. These reports are false and have no basis in fact.

The truth is that members from Teamsters Local Union 901 in San Juan have been working or volunteering since the day after the hurricane passed, helping with disaster relief and recovery.

“Let me be clear – Teamsters in Puerto Rico have been working on the relief efforts since day one,” said Alexis Rodriguez, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local Union 901. “Anyone that has reported anything different is lying. Our only agenda is to help bring Puerto Rico back better and stronger.”

“These viral stories spreading across the internet are nothing but lies perpetrated by anti-union entities to further their destructive agenda,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “The fact that they are attempting to capitalize on the suffering of millions of citizens in Puerto Rico that are dire need of our help by pushing these false stories, just exposes their true nature.”

The union is also coordinating with the AFL-CIO to send Teamster volunteers to Puerto Rico to help augment the relief efforts. Hundreds of Teamsters have volunteered to aid in the recovery in the key areas like the distribution of aid and sanitation.

“The outpouring of volunteers from our membership across the country is truly inspiring,” said George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16 in New York, N.Y. “We have had hundreds of members contact us to volunteer their time to go down to Puerto Rico to help with the relief efforts.”

Contact:
Galen Munroe, (202) 624-6911
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/565871/INTERNATIONAL_BROTHERHOOD_OF_TEAMSTERS_LOGO.jpg

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

sonnen Inc. Pledges to Build and Donate Microgrids to Help Bring Emergency Power to the People of Puerto Rico

October 2, 2017

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — German energy storage manufacturer sonnen Inc., the global leader in installed and working residential energy storage systems since 2010 and creator of the “sonnenCommunity,” announced the “Puerto Rico Energy Security Initiative” (PRESI) to help bring energy security to Puerto Rico, where millions of Americans are currently without electricity.

With over 21,000 actual working installations worldwide, sonnen’s energy storage system is uniquely equipped to help provide relief in Puerto Rico, with no delay. In fact, since early 2016, sonnen has had functional energy storage systems installed in Puerto Rico.

sonnen Inc. management has been in communication with its premium partner in Puerto Rico, Pura Energia, since Hurricane Maria hit the island. sonnen and Pura are currently in the process of reaching out to existing customers to ensure that they have critical power and are safe. Still, stable communication between Pura Energia and sonnen has been a challenge due to the extent of the devastation and lack of connectivity on the island. sonnen’s next priority is to work with Pura to identify targeted “emergency relief sites,” where the German energy storage company can provide a stable microgrid that will make a significant impact on each local community. This includes subsidizing the cost of Pura Energia to install both the sonnen unit and the solar array. As soon as the strategic plan is in place with Pura, sonnen will deploy a team of engineers and technicians to help lead the microgrid campaign locally in Puerto Rico, from system design through final installation.

“Our smart energy storage system is uniquely positioned to serve as a critical resource during the emergency in Puerto Rico, as it is a fully integrated system with all the components needed to form a true Microgrid without requiring an initial grid connection,” said Blake Richetta, Senior Vice President and head of sonnen Inc.’s US Business Unit.

“Many energy storage systems on the market today require an initial grid connection, as well as additional parts for set up, in order to form a true off-grid Microgrid. This is not the case for sonnen, as it is a natural capability of our product. Therefore, it is our duty to step in and bring relief to our countrymen in Puerto Rico, as soon as possible.” Prior to joining sonnen, Richetta was North American Sales Manager for Tesla Energy and was charged with selling the Powerwall product.

“Clean and affordable energy for all is the mission of our company. It is what we believe in and it is what drives us every day,” said Christoph Ostermann, founder and CEO of sonnen Inc. “What is happening in Puerto Rico is a tragedy and as fellow human beings, it is our duty to stand firmly with the people of Puerto Rico and do everything possible to help start the rebuilding process. From my perspective, there is a clear connection between our mission to support humanity during a climate disaster and our mission to fight climate change.”

sonnen is specifically targeting emergency medical clinics that require power for the refrigeration of medicine, as well as emergency shelters across the island. sonnen management is also interested in partnering with a clean water filtration company, in order to help complement their effort at each microgrid.

sonnen’s immediate objective is to begin building microgrids as soon as possible using their existing, high-quality, and tested product. It is critical to understand that this program is not “in theory” or “of potential” but is instead immediately viable. Ostermann’s target is to have the first microgrids up and running in less than a month’s time – an ambitious but achievable timeline.

sonnen’s manufacturing and engineering facility in Atlanta, Georgia has been continuously shipping energy storage systems to the island since Hurricane Maria hit and they plan on focusing the factory heavily on the “Puerto Rico initiative” over the next several months.

“Our plan is to ship a batch of our Eco Energy Storage Systems to Puerto Rico every week, while balancing the rest of our growing business in North America,” said Brent Stayer, Vice President of Operations & Quality Control for sonnen Inc. “In fact, we started shipping specifically to support the disaster relief last week. Our biggest challenge at this point will be gaining access to the ports. We remain hopeful that, starting next week, it will become easier to deliver our product to the island.”

The entire operation is contingent upon establishing a stronger line of communication with sonnen’s friends and partners at Pura Energia. “Pura Energia is a well-established, highly respected and recognized name in solar installation in Puerto Rico, we are so lucky to have such a great partner on the ground,” said Carlos Restrepo, Vice President of Technology for sonnen Inc. “The Pura team represents the real heroes here, as they are living within the disaster, working to provide relief for people on the island every day. Without their highly capable team and their passionate work ethic, our campaign would not be feasible.”

About sonnen
At sonnen, we believe clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Sonnen is a proven global leader in intelligent energy management solutions that provide greater energy control for residential customers through increased solar self-consumption, reduced peak energy usage and reliable backup power during outages – contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy future. Sonnen has won several awards for its energy innovations, including the 2017 Zayed Future Energy Prize, MIT’s Technology Review’s 50 Smartest Companies in 2016, Global Cleantech 100 for 2015-2017, Greentech Media’s 2016 Grid Edge Award for innovation, and Cleantech’s 2015 Company of the Year Award in both Israel and Europe.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/565465/sonnen_Logo.jpg

SOURCE sonnen, Inc.

National PSA Launched to Alert Parents of Potential Window Cord Dangers

October 2, 2017

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — October is National Window Covering Safety Month, a time of heightened public awareness of a hidden danger many parents may overlook—the potential strangulation hazards to young children from window covering cords. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are urging consumers to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. WCSC, CPSC and safety experts strongly recommend that consumers use only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords in homes with young children.

The WCSC has just released a national PSA campaign about the potential dangers of corded window coverings to young children and what parents and caregivers can do to help keep children safe. View/share/download here.

“CPSC joins with the window covering industry and safety advocates in recommending that only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords be used in homes with young children to prevent window-covering cord strangulations,” said CPSC Acting Chairman, Ann Marie Buerkle. “For homes with children, make certain all window shades, blinds and draperies do not have cords that are within the reach of a child.”

Visit the CPSC Safety Education Center here:

According to the CPSC, corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children accidentally becoming entangled in window covering cords. To increase public awareness of window covering cord dangers, the WCSC and CPSC have again declared October as National Window Covering Safety Month.

“New industry innovations and safety standards have provided consumers with more choices than ever to obtain cordless products or those with inaccessible cords,” said Window Covering Safety Council Executive Director, Peter Rush. “Parents with young children should replace their corded window coverings with the many cordless products available in different styles, colors and sizes.”

Consumers can easily identify cordless window covering options available at major retailers across the country by looking for the Best for Kids™ certification label on the packaging of a large variety of products. In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must submit their products to a recognized third party test laboratory for review and analysis to determine if they meet the Best for Kids program criteria. For products that meet the criteria, the lab sends a report to the company that these products may be labeled Best for Kids™.

WCSC also encourages parents and caregivers to follow these window covering safety guidelines:

Install only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords in homes with young children. Replace window blinds and corded shades with products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords marked with the Best for Kids™ certification label. The label enables you to easily identify products best suited for homes with young children.
Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
When window cords are present, ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, by shortening or moving them up and away, so that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook and Twitter for more home safety information and ideas.

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings dedicated to educating consumers about window cords safety. The Council also assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for corded window coverings. WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity.

Contact: Kristen Kurtz
[email protected]
917.561.2406

SOURCE Window Covering Safety Council

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