UNITED WAY FORSYTH COUNTY KICKSOFF 2016 CAMPAIGN

"United Way of Forsyth County kicked off its 2016 Annual Campaign at the 5th Annual Moonlight Madness Run Aug.26, 2016 at Bailey Park. This was the first year that the United Way sponsored Moonlight Madness which had previously been organized by the city of Winston Salem.

The Kickoff event is the start of United Way’s annual fundraising effort and United Way team members, partner agencies and volunteers were joined by more than 590 participants in the Fun Run and 5K race. Sponsors included Windsor Jewelers, Foothills Brewing, Mellow Mushroom, The City of Winston Salem, RAI and The Millennium Center. Over $14,000 was raised from registration fees .

“It’s wonderful how the community supports the United Way mission of building stronger lives for everyone in Forsyth County,” says John Fox, Chairman, First Tennessee Bank Mid Atlantic Region and the 2016 Community Campaign Chair. “We are so fortunate to live in a community where more than 30,000 donors take part in the campaign each year. People in Forsyth County understand the value of investing in education, financial stability, healthier lives and basic needs of our neighbors.  They recognize that when they give through United Way, we can solve problems that none of us can solve alone.”

The theme of this year’s community campaign is “The Why Behind the Way.” The goals of United Way of Forsyth County reach beyond raising money, but also include educating community members about major issues and encouraging involvement.

“Although we’re proud of our successes, such as investing to help increase high school graduation rates from 71% in 2008 to 85.7% in 2016, many individuals and families in our community continue to struggle on a daily basis.  One in three children and one in four adults live in poverty and that impacts every aspect of their lives,” says Fox. “United Way collaborates and invests with partners to tackle the tough challenges and make a real impact.”

United Way’s annual campaign is a vital part of the organization’s work because the funds raised go to support local programs in the community. Last year, United Way Forsyth County funded forty-four local agencies with $10.8 million in funding focusing on the fundamentals of a good life: health, education, and financial stability.

United Way of Forsyth County believes quality of life relies on education, financial stability, health, and basic needs. All four are critical and interdependent to the collective success of our community. United Way of Forsyth County creates positive change in the community by aligning resources and strategic partners to achieve measurable, lasting results. We invest in improving student success and the high school graduation rate, increasing financial stability among lower-income individuals and families, broadening access to health care and prescription medications to the un- and under-insured, and providing critical assistance to those facing immediate crisis. Learn more about our work and rediscover the why behind the way at www.forsythunitedway.org."

- A Press Release

Winston-Salem Named a Startup Grind City

"Winston-Salem has been named a Startup Grind city, joining a global network of cities working to fuel innovation, economic growth and prosperity at the local level. . Flywheel, a coworking innovation space in the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, applied on behalf of Winston-Salem and will be hosting Startup Grind events for the city and region beginning mid-May.  

Founded in 2010, Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. In more than 150 cities and 65 countries around the world, chapters host monthly Startup Grind events where local founders, innovators, educators and investors share their own success stories.

“The selection process is very rigorous,” said Peter Marsh, cofounder of Flywheel. “We had to prove the vibrancy of our startup ecosystem and that we could execute compelling events with successful entrepreneurs on a regular basis.” The ratio of cities accepted versus total applications is around one in ten. Marsh will be a co-director of Startup Grind Winston-Salem, along with Flywheel Community Manager Jennifer Berg.

Startup Grind is also a major initiative of Google for Entrepreneurs, extending the network of relationships even deeper into the global tech community.

“Just as important as the events is the fact that Startup Grind has an unbelievable communication network through their project management platform,” Marsh said. “Now we can connect Flywheel members with the highest level of angel and venture firms, successful founders and domain experts.”

Startup Grind founder and CEO Derek Andersen said Google For Entrepreneurs will help Startup Grind expand internationally by providing access to distribution, Google technology and financial support.

“In the future, you will not need to be in Silicon Valley to be taken seriously as a tech startup,” Andersen said. “I just see so many places with such a high caliber of entrepreneurs.” Andersen said the monthly “fireside chat” interviews with local entrepreneurs are Startup Grind’s specialty. “We’re world-class at that one thing.”

Startup Grind is a perfect fit for Flywheel’s mission and vision for entrepreneurship in the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. “Very few for-profit coworking operators have a direct link to a multimillion-dollar commercialization enterprise right outside their door in the form of Wake Forest Innovations,” said Brad Bennett, another Flywheel cofounder. “This just expands the opportunities to connect.”

The Wake Forest Innovation Quarter is one of the fastest growing urban-based research parks in the United States, with a master plan for as much as 6 million square feet of world-class office, laboratory and mixed-used space over its 145 developable acres. 
The first Startup Grind event is scheduled for mid-May. Events will be posted each month on the Flywheel website.

About Flywheel

Flywheel is a coworking space located in the heart of Wake Forest Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem. Since May 2014, the space has served as the community’s center of innovation and 24/7 workspace for people to come together to work on the fly, learn and share knowledge. Flywheel is the center of gravity in Winston-Salem and in the overall triad ecosystem for supporting startup companies and entrepreneurs. Its four core offerings provide the fuel that accelerates the success of business startups: technology workshops; How to Start a Startup series; Idea Tap Series that gives entrepreneurs  access to an idea pitch process; and knowledge and networking-based events. Flywheel offers flexible short and long-term membership plans for open and enclosed spaces. Three locally owned companies have partnered together to bring Flywheel to the community: Workplace Strategies; Wildfire, LLC; and Storr Office Environments. To learn more about Flywheel, visit www.flywheelcoworking.com."

- A Press Release

City United Way Campaign Wins “Spirit of North Carolina” Award

       " The City of Winston-Salem's record-setting 2014 United Way campaign has been recognized for excellence with a “Spirit of North Carolina” award by the United Way of North Carolina.

        These awards recognize companies and organizations that have demonstrated commitment and support to their community through local United Way involvement.

The city won in the category of city/county municipality, 1,501-2,500 employees.

        During its 2014 campaign the city raised $164,197 -- the most ever -- for the United Way. Most of this was raised through employee contributions. The Moonlight Madness 5K and Fun Run, which is organized by the city, raised $9,000. A variety of department fund-raisers, such as bake sales, a hot-dog lunch and a pancake breakfast, raised about $2,500.

        Mayor Allen Joines said, “I am very proud of the city employees who dug deeper into their pockets this year to support the United Way. This award is a fitting recognition of their community spirit.”

        Winners from Forsyth County in other categories are Aladdin Travel and Meeting Planners, BB&T, Deere-Hitachi, First Community Bank, First Tennessee Bank, HanesBrands, PepsiCo, Reynolds American, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Wake Forest University.

        Statewide, a team of 20 United Way leaders reviewed 75 applications and selected 42 winners for Spirit of North Carolina awards. Applications were judged by seven standards, including volunteer culture, leadership involvement, campaign coordination, and partnership with community to raise awareness of needs and foster a spirit of giving.

        The award will be presented during the United Way of North Carolina’s annual meeting and awards luncheon on Friday, Feb. 13, in Pinehurst, North Carolina."

- A Press Release

Get in Costume and Take a “Polar Plunge” to Support Special Olympics

"The annual costumed Polar Plunge, a fund-raiser for the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at the outdoor pool of The Fitness Center, 861 Old Winston Road, Kernersville.

        

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. The Polar Plunge begins at 1 p.m. Jumpers must raise $50 to participate and are encouraged to come in costume. Teams can choose a theme. Special Olympics Forsyth County will have a team called the Special Olympics Superheros. 

        

This year’s Polar Plunge is sponsored by Chick-Fil-A of Kernersville, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, The Fitness Center, the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks. For more information call CityLink 311 or go to CityofWS.org and search for Polar Plunge."

- A Press Release

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

       

"The city will collect Christmas trees and put them to good use as mulch for its parks and roadsides.

        Residents in single‑family homes inside the city limits can put their Christmas trees at the curb for pick-up during the regular city brush collection. All lights, decorations, stands and nails must be removed from trees. Please be aware that it may take several weeks to collect all the trees.

        People who live in apartments, who live outside the city limits or who want to dispose of their trees quickly can take them to the following recreation centers for recycling through January 31:

• Crawford Park, 4226 Oak Ridge Dr.
• Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center, 501 Reynolds Blvd.
• Hanes Park (tennis court parking lot), 625 West End Blvd.
• Little Creek Recreation Center, 610 Foxcroft Dr.
• Old Town Recreation Center (tennis court parking lot), 4550 Shattalon Dr.
• Parkland Park (tennis courts), 1660 Brewer Rd.
• Polo Park (swimming pool parking lot), 1850 Polo Rd.
• Salem Lake (at the gate), 1001 Salem Lake Rd.
• Sprague Street Recreation Center, 1350 E. Sprague St.
• Winston Lake Park, 3535 Winston Lake Rd.

For more information, call CityLink 311."

- A Press Release

William “Trey” Mayo Appointed Fire Chief

   

 "City Manager Lee Garrity today announced the appointment of Rocky Mount Fire Chief William “Trey” Mayo as Winston-Salem’s next fire chief. Mayo will assume his duties Jan. 12, following the retirement of Chief Antony Farmer on Dec.31.

        Mayo, a third-generation firefighter, began his fire-service career in 1989 as a volunteer in his hometown of Plymouth, N.C. In 1996 Mayo joined the Raleigh Fire Department and was named valedictorian of the 1996 Raleigh Fire Academy. During his 11-year tenure, Mayo rose to the rank of captain and was assigned to engine, ladder, and rescue companies in south and east Raleigh. He was recognized with the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of North Carolina’s Emergency Services Award in 1999. In December 2006, Mayo returned to Carrboro Fire-Rescue, where he had previously volunteered, and served as deputy fire chief until May 2010. He assumed his current position in Rocky Mount in June 2010. 

        “I am very pleased with the amount of feedback that I have received from all levels of personnel within the department and Chief Mayo has received tremendous support throughout,” Garrity said.

        “After careful deliberation of all aspects of the chief’s job, I have determined that Chief Mayo is the best candidate to assume this major responsibility for our community. He will provide the leadership to the department and the community as we seek to upgrade the services provided to our citizens.”

        Mayo said, “I am honored to have been offered this opportunity. I am eager to continue advocating for enhancements to the wide range of emergency and non-emergency services delivered by the men and women of the Winston-Salem Fire Department.”

        Mayo said his immediate priorities will be to assess the department in the areas of safety, services, programs and policies, effectiveness, and efficiency. “I want to get a good grasp on where we are and how we arrived here and then guide the department toward a vision of continuous improvement.”

        Mayo, 41, has an associate’s degree in fire protection technology from Wilson Technical Community College, a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree in public administration from North Carolina State University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and is credentialed both as a chief fire officer and as a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

       Mayo and his wife, Annie, have a two-and-a-half year old daughter, Charlotte. Mayo’s salary will be $125,000 annually. At the end of 12 months, he also will be eligible for a special merit pay adjustment based upon successfully accomplishing several key initiatives in the department."

- A Press Release

Winston-Salem Ranked as No. 1 Digital City for 2014

       

"After more than a decade in the top ten, Winston-Salem was named the most digitally savvy city of its size in America by the e.Republic Center for Digital Government.

        Winston-Salem was ranked No. 1 in the center’s 2014 Digital Cities Survey of cities with a population of 125,000 to 249,999. The annual study ranks the use of information technology by local governments.

        The 2014 survey ranked cities for their use of digital technology in the areas of citizen engagement, policy, operations, and technology and data, said Todd Sander, the center’s executive director. “This year’s Digital Cities’ winners brought about impressive change across all aspects of government by leveraging information technology investments to expand open government, citizen participation and shared services,” Sander said.

        Through the city website, Winston-Salem residents have access to crime tracking data updated daily, internal performance measures, and financial data that allows citizens to track city spending down to individual vendor transactions. A new citizen notification system allows residents to sign up for alerts by text, voice, or email; and the city is cooperating with AT&T to build an all-fiber network with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second.

        Internally, the city has expanded the use of customized applications for mobile devices, such as a GIS-based, GPS-enabled application that allows city workers, while they travel about the city, to grade street health as part of a system that prioritizes paving projects. These applications have reduced the need for expensive laptops and allow staff to work independent of location, enabling more efficient operations and greater productivity. 

        Winston-Salem has ranked in the top 10 of the center’s annual survey every year since 2002, ranging from second place in 2003, 2008 and 2011, to tenth place in 2002, the first year the city participated.

        Dennis Newman, the city’s chief information officer, attributed the city’s consistent rankings in the Digital Cities survey to the city’s ongoing investment in core information technology skills and infrastructure. “This has allowed us to take advantage of technologies when the opportunity arises so that we can provide a high level of services," he said.

        Sander said, “It’s not surprising that the city of Winston-Salem has been ranked in the Top Ten Digital Cities every year since 2002. They’ve done an outstanding job of building a sound technology infrastructure under the leadership of CIO Dennis Newman, and then consistently built on that investment with new applications and services that strengthen city functions, which translates into citizen benefits.”

        The rankings were compiled by the e.Republic Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute. Three other North Carolina cities were also ranked: Greenville tied for second among cities with a population of 75,000 to 124,999; Durham tied for fourth among cities with a population of 125,000 to 249,999; and Raleigh tied for fifth among cities with a population of 250,000 or more."

- A Press Release