News
August 1, 2007
For Immediate Release
For more information, please contact:
Charlie Assey or Dana Scarborough
803.414.2318 or 843.856.5518
Email: dana@gkfoundation.org
MassMutual To Sponsor Disability Awareness Night at Joe Riley Stadium
Honors contributions made by, and on behalf of, 54 million Americans with disabilities
Charleston – The cause of people with disabilities will take center stage August 21st when Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), in cooperation with Exceptional Parent Magazine and The South Carolina Agency, sponsors Disability Awareness Night at Joe Riley Stadium.
In addition to honoring local champions of the national awareness campaign to bring attention to the 54 million Americans with disabilities and special needs, the event will provide an opportunity for many clients and staff of local disability organizations to attend the ballgame, thanks to free tickets donated by Exceptional Parent and The South Carolina Agency of MassMutual.
Disability Awareness Night honors the contributions of 54 million Americans with disabilities, their families and caregivers. This year we have a very special guest joining us. We are honoring Coach Ray Tanner with the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award from MassMutual’s The South Carolina Agency at a pre-game ceremony at home plate. Ray Tanner is going on his 11th year as head coach of The University of South Carolina baseball team. He is chairman of the Ray Tanner Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of economically and medically disadvantaged children and their families. The Foundation was started in 2005 by Tanner in his wife. The Foundation gave $30,000 in grants in its first year of existence. They are raising money through the sale of “Ray of Hope” wristbands to build a Miracle League baseball field in the Columbia, SC area. The field is specially designed for children with disabilities and will give them a chance of playing baseball.
“Given MassMutual’s longtime support of people with disabilities and other special needs and their families, we are extremely proud to be calling attention to their cause through our sponsorship and participation in the Disability Awareness Night program,” said Nick Gavalas, General Agent, The South Carolina Agency, and Co-Founder of the Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation, a public charity established to help students with disabilities reach their secondary educational goals. “MassMutual’s SpecialCare SM program helps parents and caregivers effectively integrate financial analysis into a thorough, customized life plan for individuals with special needs. Our goal, and the goal of those we will honor, is to help people with disabilities to live dignified and fulfilling lives.”
The EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award is named for the late founder and former editor-in-chief of Exceptional Parent who was an advocate for people with disabilities and other special needs. Exceptional Parent is the nation’s oldest and most widely read and referred to publication of its kind, reaching a wide audience of physicians, nurses, therapists, teachers and families involved in the care and development of children and adults with disabilities and special health care needs.
This year marks the sixth year of Exceptional Parent’s Disability Awareness Night (DAN) program, which began in 2002 with the cooperation of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Since then, many professional ball clubs have joined the unique, emotional and powerful program of recognition and awareness.
About MassMutual Financial Group
MassMutual Financial Group is the fleet name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliates, with more than $450 billion in assets under management at year-end 2006. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual's subsidiaries.
Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company headquartered in Springfield, Mass. MassMutual’s major affiliates include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., MassMutual International LLC and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at www.massmutual.com.
About Exceptional Parent
Based in Johnstown Pennsylvania, 36-year-old EP Global Communications, Inc. is an integrated communications company providing information for families and professionals involved in the care and development of people with disabilities and special healthcare needs. EP uses a multi-media approach to disseminate information via: its publication, Exceptional Parent; Web site (http://www.eparent.com); custom communications projects; the EP Library of disability books; live and on-line seminars and community outreach programs such as the national Disability Awareness Night (DAN) campaign developed through the EP Foundation for Education, a 501(C)3 company. Exceptional Parent Magazine has received many prestigious awards, including the 2000, 2001 and 2003 FOLIO: Gold Medal Awards for editorial excellence; and the New Freedom Award for Best Magazine & Web site in 2003 from the New Freedom Foundation. EP Global Communications, Inc. is not an affiliate or subsidiary of MassMutual and its affiliates.
October 25, 2002
For Immediate Release
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Dawson, Director of Media & Public Relations
Tel: (843) 442-5628
Fax: (843) 577-3628
Email: ellen@gkfoundation.org
4TH ANNUAL JAMES ISLAND CONNECTOR RUN TO BENEFIT
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Charleston, SC – The Gavalas Kolanko Foundation (GKF) is proud
to present the 4th Annual James Island Connector Run, “The
Race For Everyone,” on Saturday, November 2, 2002. As one
of Charleston's most unique races for charity, the course covers
the span of the James Island Connector, overlooking the beautiful
Ashley River.
The James Island Connector Run benefits the GKF, a local charity
that awards annual scholarships to students with disabilities attending
the College of Charleston.
“We are happy once again to host the Run on Students With
Disabilities Day, which was established by the Charleston City Council
last year,” said Nick Gavalas, Co-Founder and Chief Financial
Officer for the GKF. “Our event is held in honor of all students
with disabilities, and the race is just one way we can help them
pursue their dream of a college education.”
Participants may register for the 10K Run, 5K Walk, 10K “Rollers” Division,
or the 5K Open Wheelchair Division. The 10K portion of the race
starts at 8:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. The
Awards Ceremony follows at 10:00 a.m. All runners will be timed.
Results will be posted at The Extra Mile, 336 King St., downtown
Charleston. Over 100 awards will be presented.
Registration costs are as follows: applications received on or before
October 31 - $14.00 with T-shirt, $10.00 without T-shirt; applications
received after October 31 - $16.00 with T-shirt, $12.00 without
T-shirt. Participants can register on race day beginning at 6:30
a.m.
The James Island Connector Run is made possible by the generous
support of several area businesses. Clear Channel Communications,
Inc. will provide music in the registration area. Fox 24/UPN 36
personalities will also be on site with prizes and activities.
CareAlliance
Health Services will provide first aid to all participants. Other
sponsors include: MassMutual Financial Group; Atlantic Occupational
Health, Inc.; Lacombe Law Firm; Merritt at James Island; Davidson,
Bennett & Wigger; East Coast Capital, Inc.; Hendrick Honda of
Charleston; The Extra Mile; Runner’s World Magazine; Sweat’s
Gym; The City Marina; Harris Teeter; Appalachian Springs; Franklin
& Associates; Santee Cooper Power; Stella Nova; Pratt-Thomas,
Gumb & Company, PA; Pain Associates of Charleston; and Carolina
Foot Specialists.
For more information on the James Island Connector Run, please contact
The Extra Mile at (843) 853-9987, or call the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation
at (843) 442-5628 to request a registration form. To register online,
go to www.active.com.
The Gavalas Kolanko Foundation (GKF) is a 509 (a)(2) public charity
established to help students with disabilities reach their secondary
educational goals. By awarding scholarship assistance to College
of Charleston students each year, the GKF helps make “Education
Within Reach” for a South Carolina student pursuing a college
education despite physical limitations. To qualify, a student must
be hearing, sight, or physically impaired.For more information
about
the GKF, visit the GKF website at www.gkfoundation.org.
Calendar Listing:
The 4th Annual James Island Connector Run, “The Race For
Everyone”
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2002
Time: 8:00 a.m. (10K), 8:30 a.m. (5K)
Divisions: 10K Run/“Rollers”, 5K Walk/Open Wheelchair
Division
Description: Come join us for one of Charleston's most unique races
for charity! The course covers the span of the James Island Connector,
overlooking the beautiful Ashley River. All proceeds benefit the
Gavalas Kolanko Foundation, a public charity established to help
students with disabilities reach their secondary educational goals.
Start/Finish Line: Calhoun Street, across from Roper Hospital
Cost: Before October 31 - $14.00 with T-shirt, $10.00 without T-shirt;
After October 31 - $16.00 with T-shirt, $12.00 without T-shirt;
participants can register race day beginning at 6:30 a.m.
For More Information: Call The Extra Mile at (843) 853-9987, or
visit www.gkfoundation.org. Call the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation
at (843) 442-5628 to request a registration form, or register online
at www.active.com.
# # #
July 9, 2002
For Immediate Release
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Dawson, Director of Media & Public Relations
Tel: (843) 442-5628/(843) 579-3318
Fax: (843) 577-3628
Email: ellen@gkfoundation.org
GAVALAS KOLANKO FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2002 SCHOLARSHIP
WINNERS
Charleston, SC – The Gavalas Kolanko Foundation,
in association with the College of Charleston, is pleased to announce
Marjorie “Taylor” Elliott and Brandon Wilson as winners
of the 2002 Gavalas Kolanko Foundation Scholarships.
“We are very pleased with the outstanding
public support our foundation has been receiving,” said Nick
Gavalas, co-founder of the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation. “As
a result, we are able to award two scholarships this year for two
deserving students.”
The Gavalas Kolanko Foundation (GKF) is a public
charity established to help students with disabilities reach their
secondary educational goals. Nicholas B. Gavalas and Dr. Ronald
Kolanko established the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation in 1999 after
becoming aware of the costly requirements for students with disabilities
wishing to attend college.
By awarding scholarship assistance to College
of Charleston students each year, the GKF helps make “Education
Within Reach” for South Carolina students pursuing a college
education despite physical limitations. To qualify, a student must
be hearing, sight, or physically impaired.
Elliott, who was also the 2001 GKF Scholarship
recipient said, “I am so pleased to have been invited to be
part of the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation family again this year. I
am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful
organization that seeks to aid all students in their dreams of higher
education.”
“It is an honor to receive a scholarship
from Gavalas Kolanko Foundation, and I would like to thank the selection
committee for choosing me as one of the recipients,” said
Wilson, of Goose Creek, SC. “I have great respect for the
foundation for recognizing physically disabled students who plan
to pursue their educational goals.”
Marjorie “Taylor” Elliott is a senior
at the College of Charleston majoring in Corporate Communications.
She is active at the College as a member of the Honors Program,
the Student Government Association, and is employed at the College
of Charleston’s Center for Disability Services. Taylor has
completed over 150 hours of community service, including work with
the Charles Webb Center and the Disabilities Board of Charleston
County. She is a 1999 graduate of Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant,
SC.
Brandon Wilson is a junior at the College of
Charleston pursuing a career in computer science. He graduated in
2000 from Stratford High School in Goose Creek, SC, where he was
a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club.
Ms. Elliott and Mr. Wilson will receive their
$2,000 scholarships at the awards ceremony for the 3rd annual James
Island Connector Run on November 2, 2002. The James Island Connector
Run is the Foundation’s spotlight event and chief fundraiser.
For more information on the Gavalas Kolanko
Foundation or the James Island Connector Run, please call (843)
442-5628 or visit the GKF website at www.gkfoundation.org.
# # #
Please note:
To schedule an interview with Taylor Elliott or Brandon Wilson,
please call Ellen Dawson
at (843) 442-5628 or (843) 579-3318.
Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation and Zonta Foundation of
Charleston, Inc. Named Winners of Blue Chip Community Service Awards
Charleston, SC -- MassMutual has awarded a $10,000
grant to TheGavalas-Kolanko Foundation (GKF) and the Zonta Foundation
of Charleston,Inc. respectively, on behalf of Nicholas B. Gavalas,
General Agent of MassMutual's South Carolina Agency. Gavalas
was presented with two of the eight national Blue Chip Community
Service Awards at the MassMutual Leader's Club Convention in July.
The Awards recognize and financially support the volunteer work
of MassMutual's general agents, agents, and agency employees.
"We were honored to receive this national
recognition for our local charities," said Gavalas. "The
awards will help two of Charleston's newest charities reach their
goals, and we are both thankful to MassMutual's corporate office."
Gavalas and Dr. Ronald Kolanko came together
to form the Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation (GKF) in 1999 after becoming
aware of the costs for students with disabilities wishing to attend
college. The GKF awards scholarship assistance to one College
of Charleston student each year to help make "Education Within
Reach."
The Zonta Foundation of Charleston, Inc. is
an affiliate of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization
of executives in business and the professions working together to
advance the status of women. "We are grateful to MassMutual
for the opportunity to use this grant to further the cause of Zonta,"
said Debra Turner, President of the Zonta Foundation of Charleston,
Inc. "These funds will enable us to have an impact on
many lives, both through Zonta International's service projects
and locally in the tri-county area." Founded in 1919,
Zonta is committed to women's development, education and leadership.
MassMutual's South Carolina Agency is comprised
of career agents and brokers in South Carolina, North Carolina,
and Ohio. Led by General Agent Nicholas B. Gavalas, The South
Carolina Agency is among the highest-rated of MassMutual's national
agencies.
The MassMutual Financial Group is a global,
diversified financial services organization with more than $200
billion in total assets under management. Our family of companies
serves the needs of over eight million clients by providing a broad-based
portfolio of financial products and services, including: investments,
annuities, disability income insurance, life insurance, retirement
services/401(k) plans, trust services and long-term care insurance.
The MassMutual Financial Group includes Massachusetts Mutual Life
Insurance Company (MassMutual), plus its subsidiaries. We
have sales offices across the United States, and international operations
in Argentina, Bermuda, Chile, Hong Kong and Luxembourg. MassMutual
is a member of the Fortune 500 and Fortune Global 500, and, according
to Fortune Magazine, is one of the most admired life insurance companies
in America.
|