(NewsUSA) - This holiday season, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program celebrates its 75th year of delivering hope and joy to children in need across the Nation. Marines and volunteers are busy engaging with local businesses, media and community leaders to collect new, unwrapped toys to ensure that every child in need in their community has a present to open on Christmas morning.     

As the 2022 campaign season hits the halfway mark, Toys for Tots is asking for support from the American public now more than ever. Families across the Nation continue to deal with the continuing rise of inflation and other economic challenges. When families are struggling to make financial ends meet, giving their children a Merry Christmas can feel entirely out of their reach.       

That’s where you can help! Marine Toys for Tots encourages the American public to consider donating on November 29, which is globally known as Giving Tuesday -- but at Toys for Tots it’s Giving TOYSday! Every Giving TOYSday gift will deliver the joy of a new toy, book, or game at Christmastime to our Nation’s less fortunate children.     

“Since Marine Toys for Tots Program’s inception in 1947 with a single hand-crafted doll, we have distributed 627 million toys to over 281 million children in need over seven decades. We’ve adapted and overcome many challenges, but always accomplished the mission,” says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.     

“Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and Marine Toys for Tots is dedicated to ensuring a brighter future for children living in challenging circumstances,” he adds. “Your Giving TOYSday gift is urgently needed to help us ensure that no child wakes up brokenhearted on Christmas morning.”     

Our Coordinators and volunteers are working around the clock to collect and sort toys that are generously donated across local campaigns. The gifts that our donors give can be the reason a child and their family believe in the magic of Christmas again -- and Coordinators can work until the last minute to ensure that “Santa” visits each house. Like our Coordinator Robert, who was making his last toy delivery of the day. He was approached by a local police officer, who mentioned that there was one more child in need who could use a Christmas miracle.     

Robert traveled to the home of the child, and a young boy answered the door with his mother. To Robert’s surprise, there were no Christmas decorations, no tree -- nothing representing the holiday season. The mother simply couldn’t afford it. But thanks to our loyal supporters, the boy and his mother received a Merry Christmas. Robert returned from his car with a bag full of Christmas gifts for the young boy. These gifts were made possible by our faithful donors -- they saved Christmas for this family.     

Toys for Tots needs your help to deliver the same magic that Robert delivered, to even more children in need across the Nation. Your gift can be the reason that a child and their family believe in the holiday magic again. Visit toysfortots.org to donate on Giving TOYSday, or visit your local campaign website to find other ways to donate this giving season -- and remember that anyone can be Santa! 

(NewsUSA) - Caribbean travel is back, and many favorite spots are expanding their offerings to meet a greater range of tastes and interests. If you or your travel companions are vegan, for example, you can find many more opportunities to relax and indulge.     

In particular, options for vegan dining have come into their own. The Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, one of the most popular all-inclusive, adults-only boutique hotels in Saint Lucia, now offers an all-vegan dinner option.     

Some examples from the menu: Yellow Split Pea Soup with Sweet Potato, Tempura Cauliflower Bites, Sesame Braised Eggplant, Pan Seared Tofu, Vegetable Stroganoff, and Grilled Cinnamon Pineapple. A vegan dinner at Calabash Cove also includes a bottle of Prosecco. The resort’s flagship Windsong Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the culinary team can accommodate any guest’s special dietary needs or personal requests. For example, the popular daily special lobster dish with roasted Cinderella pumpkin can be made with tofu. The eclectic menu is inspired by Asian cuisine and features fresh, local ingredients in every dish.     

The island of Saint Lucia offers visitors a glimpse of a rich culture and heritage influenced by different periods of history, when it had strategic importance in wars between England and France. The arrival of West Africans in the 18th and 19th centuries added Creole culture to the mix.     

Calabash Cove’s property features not only a private beach, but also a nearby coral reef, tropical gardens, and architecture designed to promote relaxation and enhance the sunset views.     

The resort is an elegant escape where adults can slow down to “island time,” and tradewinds keep the heat at bay. Calabash Cove accommodations include not only luxury suites with ocean views, but also unique Water’s Edge cottages, built for two, with their own plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, jacuzzis, and hammocks. The Swim-Up Suites place you a few strokes away from the swim-up bar at an oceanfront pool with a striking 40-foot infinity edge.     

A range of promotional packages make for even easier travel planning for vegans and nonvegans alike. The unconditional all-inclusive option provides not only fine dining, but also live music and top shelf liquors, along with the luxury accommodations in an intimate setting.     

For more information and the latest travel package options, visit www.calabashcove.com.

(NewsUSA) - Amanda Given, an author, speech language pathologist, yogi, mother, mental health advocate and child at heart, has given us a charming story with colorful and playful illustrations that will help any child, young or old, open up and learn to deal with their feelings, all by learning about Balloon Breath.  

This obviously is an important topic for children and their parents or guardians. So much has been written about the difficulty of young children to understand and control their emotions, with strategies from learned scholars and therapists on how to cope. Yet sometimes, it’s the simplest of stories to which children can best connect, putting them in a position to learn and grow.  

That’s why “BALLOON BREATH” does such an impressive job of helping children open up and deal with their feelings. The book, geared primarily to pre-schoolers in the 2-to-5 age range, is a simple tale in which Lonnie is frustrated with the behavior of his brother, Curly, who has taken his blanket, and dominated the channels on the TV set to his own liking and without consideration of his brother. Lonnie feels like he is going to explode with anger.  

Fortunately, his favorite babysitter, Scarlett, comes over and tries to instill happiness into the atmosphere with fun activities, by eating, pretending to be lions, going to the upbeat sunroom -- anything to create a cheerful mood. Finally, Scarlett explains what she does when she gets mad: “Sit criss-cross applesauce. Take a DEEP breath in. That’s it. Now exhale all the air out.”  

The babysitter extends her ritual to what she calls Balloon Breath, allowing Lonnie to take deep breaths into a balloon and blow the mad thoughts right into it. “Let the air out of your balloon and say goodbye to all those yucky, icky thoughts,” Scarlett says. The exercise leaves Lonnie with nothing but happy thoughts. Scarlett has effectively saved the day.

A NEW FAVORITE OF YOUNG READERS

The author’s own 10-year personal journey with depression helped her find purpose in writing and teaching yoga/meditation to children. Amanda is a child at heart with a grownup soul. She has playful energy that is shared when she teaches children fun and creative yoga poses.  

“I wrote my book to help children and their caregivers manage their big emotions,” says the author, whose story is complemented with marvelous illustrations by Polina Hrytskova. The book also includes fun and easy activities for parents, adult guardians, teachers and children to reinforce the message.  

Reviewers say their children loved the book, found it easy to understand and couldn’t get enough of it.   “I have read this book a few times already to my preschool class (three-year-olds), and they love it! The illustrations are colorful, and the storyline is simple enough for little ones to follow. I also enjoy that this book has a little lesson plan/activity guide at the end of the book to extend the lesson,” says Amazon reviewer Brianna.  

For a delightful book with a simple yet valuable message, pick up a copy of Balloon Breath for your children. As Given says, “Kindness is always inside of us. I hope Lonnie finds a happy, cozy and safe place in your heart. He’s always there to remind you to inhale and exhale.”

Learn more at www.amandagiven.com.

(NewsUSA) - Put the fun in your fundraising efforts with the power of coffee, a user-friendly website and the business acumen of a veteran-led nonprofit company that has been building donor trust since 2016.     

The Coffee Platoon will help raise funds for any school, organizational group, sports team, non-profit organization, or any programs, activities, and services in need of funds anywhere in the United States.     

Inflation is hitting everyone this year, and online fundraising offers a simple and cost-effective way to raise funds with no initial cost, no managing of inventory and no need to collect money in person. You can raise funds by providing your supporters with two things nearly half the population of the United States enjoys every day -- 100% Arabica coffee freshly ground and delicious hot chocolate -- for your campaign.      

“We have created an easy, fun way for all types of organizations to earn much-needed revenue to sustain programs, services and improvements,” says Mike Ferraro, founder of Bridging the Gap for Veterans, a nonprofit veteran-founded and -led organization that works to support career transitions for veterans to assist with hiring.     Bridging the Gap’s missions include career transition programs and coaching, educational scholarships, service animal programs, offering free professional business attire to veterans and online coffee fundraising.   

 “Our delicious coffee and hot chocolate products are sure to be a hit,” Ferraro adds.     

Getting started couldn’t be easier. Sign up through The Coffee Platoon online portal. This process generates a unique and customized link for your fundraiser.     

Share the link with friends, family, listservs, club memberships or anyone you want to reach with your fundraiser. Share the link in an email, or post on social media.     

The benefits are instant -- you can start earning on the first day! Contributors follow the link, select their coffee and submit their orders. Coffee flavors range from mild to dark, with blends inspired by the U.S. military. Check your progress throughout your campaign via a real-time running tally of all sales and purchase recipients on an easy-to-read, data-capturing spreadsheet.     

Mission accomplished! The orders are delivered, your supporters enjoy their coffee, and your organization benefits. Fundraising groups are paid immediately upon conclusion of the campaign, which can go for any duration -- most are four to six weeks.     

Two separate goals -- one mission -- to help others! Giving Tuesday is coming up, so it’s a great time to assess your fundraising needs for the holiday season and also to give your own support to the Coffee Platoon --  a victory for everyone involved.     

Visit thecoffeeplatoon.com for more information. 

(NewsUSA) - Finding a rewarding career that offers growth potential, work-life balance and the satisfaction of helping others is a key priority for many job seekers. With those goals in mind, a career in financial planning should be a top contender, whether you are just starting out or looking to make a career change.     But once you have decided that financial planning is the field for you, how do you get started? Here are three resources that can help you launch a successful financial planning career.     

1. Guide to Careers in Financial Planning. Based on interviews with leading financial services firms, this guide introduces you to the wide range of career opportunities in the financial planning profession. It identifies typical entry points and career tracks, explores the types of companies that hire financial planners and provides information on how to find financial planning career opportunities. It also includes resources such as a list of recommended questions to ask in a job interview.     

2. Scholarship Programs. Dozens of scholarship programs are available to support you on your professional journey. Some are offered directly through colleges and universities that have financial planning degree and certificate programs. Others are available through nonprofits and organizations like the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, which administers 16 scholarship programs that help pay for the education and exam requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. Financial services firms may offer scholarships or tuition reimbursements to employees to cover the costs of obtaining professional designations and credentials such as CFP® certification --  some of which may be required to advance within the company.     

3. Career Fairs. In-person and virtual career fairs provide valuable opportunities to connect with prospective employers. CFP Board’s spring and fall career fairs are some of the most popular hiring events in the profession, with dozens of firms participating in these online exhibitions. Job seekers can visit employers’ virtual exhibit booths and view open jobs and internships, apply for open positions and interact with employers through one-on-one video meetings and messaging. You can also visit the CFP Board Career Center to browse current job and internship opportunities in financial planning, as well as a collection of articles providing career guidance.     

Other top resources include career offices at your college or university, financial services companies’ career websites and professional organizations that may have a local chapter near you.     

Making the most of these resources will not only help you find a financial planning job, but also support your growth and development as a future financial planning professional. To learn more about CFP® certification, visit the CFP Board website.

(NewsUSA) - Starting and maintaining a successful small business is a challenge in any setting. For rural entrepreneurs, that struggle is even greater when it comes to accessing capital, high-speed internet and quality workers, according to a survey from SCORE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses since 1964.     

SCORE’s Fall 2022 Megaphone of Main Street: The Small Business Rural/Urban Divide surveyed more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and discovered that population shifts away from rural areas are challenging small business owners in desperate need of reliable talent and technology.     

Rural business owners report higher expenses and fewer customers than non-rural counterparts, according to the survey.  Rising fuel costs (49.3%), slowing customer spending (48.6%), tight marketing budgets (47.6%) and a limited local customer base (34.6%) are their most vexing customer-related challenges. In addition, rural businesses are 26% more likely to have trouble finding qualified employees, says SCORE.     

Noting that the technology gap between rural and non-rural businesses persists, SCORE’s survey found that twice as many rural entrepreneurs (19.2%) compared to non-rural entrepreneurs (9%) struggle with access to broadband/high-speed internet, making it harder for them to conduct business, reach customers and grow. Small businesses in both rural and non-rural areas say they’re challenged by a lack of technological knowledge or assistance.     

“As a small business owner in a rural area of Erie County in Western New York, it has been challenging over the last decade to attract staff, being at least a 30-minute drive from the city of Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs,” says Kerry Planck of Alpine Made LLC in South Wales, N.Y. “My latest long-term employee, who lives 30-plus miles away, recently quit, due in part to the long commuting distance and higher gas prices,” she adds. “I generally give six-month raises to my employees; however, they have not kept up with current inflation levels.”     

Planck has worked with SCORE mentor David Bunis for 10 years, most recently on staffing- retention issues. “I was advised by SCORE to work with local colleges to recruit paid student interns,” says Planck. “This has helped me greatly throughout the last two years.”     

SCORE provides tangible solutions for all entrepreneurs in the form of free mentoring from small business experts, as well as online tools and workshops. Local SCORE chapters also offer in-person events and roundtable discussions. Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business.     

Visit score.org for more information and to download the complete Megaphone of Main Street: The Small Business Rural/Urban Divide data report.

(NewsUSA) - Small business owners know that one of the secrets to success is hiring quality employees and keeping them. One of the best ways to keep your best employees happy is by offering a robust benefits plan. In fact, 11 states now mandate that most small businesses offer employees a retirement plan, according to Value Point Associates (VPA), a national Employer Member Association that specializes in offering “large-company” benefits to small and medium-sized businesses.     

VPA leverages the size of its membership to negotiate affordable rates on top-notch employee benefits plans. These plans can be tailored to the needs of a range of small business models.     

“VPA’s association model is likely the easiest employee benefits arrangement in the country for small businesses,” says Michael Schifferle, director of sales and marketing for VPA.     

Some of the distinctive benefits of a VPA membership plan include:     

- Less stress. VPA handles the benefit package administration and design, and small businesses can choose from several programs to select the best fit.     

- More money. Many small employers feel they can’t offer a 401k plan to employees because of the high cost. With VPA’s incredibly reasonable rates, small businesses can offer the retirement savings plans that employees want, which helps them compete with larger businesses for top talent.     

- Less paperwork. VPA also assists its members with administrative tasks and services, including benefit package administration, coordination with payroll services, audits, and Form 5500 preparation and filing.     

- More security. Small business owners appreciate that VPA membership reduces personal ERISA fiduciary liability. By contrast, a larger employer offering a 401k plan serves as the plan’s sponsor itself, which increases liability.     

In addition to retirement plans, VPA offers affordable options for employee health insurance. Employers can explore both traditional group insurance and non-traditional coverage that provide the most flexibility and savings of time and money. VPA helps small businesses stay competitive on the health insurance front by offering employees ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement), QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement), and other HRAs, as well as Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.     

Visit valuepointassociates.com for more information. 

(NewsUSA) - The unprecedented stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many to place a renewed importance on their overall health. This led to a new appreciation for self-care as people began to increasingly dedicate time in isolation to themselves. As people resume their pre-pandemic routines, this newfound commitment to wellbeing and self-care is here to stay, according to The Global State of Self-Care Report. Commissioned by Patchology, an award-winning skincare brand focused on patches and masks, it’s the first study to examine consumers’ self-care practices and trends across the spectrum and in multiple countries. According to the report, not only did 67% of U.S. respondents increase their self-care during the pandemic, but 79% of those people intend to prioritize self-care into the future.     

“As a skincare brand, we’ve seen in real time how important self-care has become to our customers,” says Chris Hobson, President and CEO of Rare Beauty Brands. “Now, more than ever, brands must constantly learn about consumer values and adapt product innovation to meet them.”   

 Hobson and the Patchology team are already on the right track -- the report found that globally, a skincare-first approach to self-care emerged over the past few years. In fact, regardless of their age, women have increased the amount of time they spend on skincare daily, averaging about 16 minutes now vs. 12 minutes per day pre-pandemic.     

While time dedicated to skincare has increased, it’s still a fraction of an hour out of a 24-hour day, making it essential for brands to create efficient, high-quality products that can be used by anyone. With over one-third (36%) of the respondents citing stress as a reason to upgrade their skincare routine, making the process simple can be critical for some consumers.     

With Patchology’s extensive collection of fun, easy-to-use products -- everything from eye gels and sheet masks to foot peels and warming hand masks -- consumers can choose their own skincare adventure via a 5- or 10-minute fix or a 60-minute indulgence. According to the report, more than one-third (35%) of the women surveyed intend to buy more eye patches and approximately 25% said they would buy more sheet masks. Even as consumers become more comfortable returning to salons and spas, outside visits aren’t likely to dampen enthusiasm for at-home beauty products.     

The overarching result is … happiness. Increased self-care efforts not only got U.S. consumers through the darkest days of the pandemic, but resulted in a boost in general happiness: 81% of respondents who placed an emphasis on self-care currently describe themselves as moderately to very happy.     

Patchology’s The Global State of Self-Care Report surveyed respondents on their self-care habits, before, during and after the pandemic; how their dedication to the practice has changed or is expected to change looking ahead; how they value certain types of self-care; and the products they see themselves using in the future.     

For additional information on the report findings and to find the right skincare products to fit your routine, visit https://www.patchology.com/pages/the-global-state-of-self-care.

(NewsUSA) - As the post-pandemic travel surge continues, consumers are choosing to prioritize experiences over goods, according to a recent CNBC report.     

The travel industry is stepping up to the demand this season with exclusive savings, starting off with the one happy island, Aruba. With breathtaking beaches, diverse cuisine and award-winning hotels and resorts, Aruba is truly a must-see Caribbean destination.     

Experience all this oasis has to offer with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals at several hotels and resorts, including:     

- Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusives. Visitors can save up to 50% on all-inclusive rates with double the amenities across sister properties. Book between November 27- 29, 2022 for travel valid April 1 - December 31, 2023.     

- Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Save up to 30% when booking seven nights, with daily endless breakfast for two and resort credit. Book between November 25 - 28, 2022 for travel valid January 2 - April 29, 2023, using promotion code P4.     

- Brickell Bay Beach Club & Spa. Enjoy this property’s deluxe room for a five-night vacation for only $145 per night; Brickell Bay also offers a daily breakfast buffet, welcome drink upon arrival, frozen grapes at the pool, ocean-side lounges and huts on Palm Beach. Book between November 15 - 30, 2022 for travel valid November 15, 2022 - April 10, 2023.     

- Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino. Save up to 10% with seven-night stay, with a blend of comfort and top-tier experiences over the winter holidays and beyond. Book by November 30, 2022 for travel valid November 30, 2022 - April 30, 2023.     

- Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Stay at least four nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and receive a $100 resort credit when using code ZX0. Book between November 23 - December 4, 2022, for travel valid March 12 - June 30, 2023.     

- Paradera Park. Use promo code SUN22 and receive a 20% discount on all rooms when booking a five-night stay at the Paradera Park this holiday season. Book between November 15 - 30, 2022 for travel valid November 15, 2022 - March 31, 2023.     

- The Mill Resort & Suites. Reserve two nights or more and receive a $50 food and beverage credit; book five nights or more and save 10% on your entire reservation.  Book between November 15 - 30, 2022 for travel valid November 15, 2022 - January 31, 2023.     

- Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba. Use promo code BOG and save up to 50% on reservations. Book between November 25 - 28, 2022 for travel valid November 30, 2022 - December 21, 2023. Extend the savings and lock in a special rate of $2,023 when you reserve your wedding date before December 31, 2022. Contact Renaissance’s wedding planners at [email protected] for more information.     

For exciting activities while in Aruba, check out De Palm Tours for the island’s most popular excursions like snorkeling to the Antilla Shipwreck and sailing on a catamaran cruise. Receive 25% off all tours and activities using code FRIDAY 25. Book between November 25 - 28, 2022.     

Escape the winter chill, and travel to the beautiful beaches of sunny Aruba to enjoy an average temperature of 82°F and 70 square miles of adventure and relaxation.    

The one happy island promises something for everyone.     

For more information, visit Aruba.com.     

This material is distributed by Zeno Group, Inc. on behalf of Aruba Tourism Authority. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

(NewsUSA) - When shoppers are already in pain, navigating the huge selection of products in the over- the-counter (OTC) pain reliever aisle can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to choose from, and while different medicines might treat similar ailments, shoppers should be aware that some OTC pain relievers could be a better choice for them based on their personal risk factors or other medications they are already taking.     

To help inform and empower shoppers’ decision-making at the time of purchase, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Educational Foundation (CHPAEF) -- in partnership with healthcare companies Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare), Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., and Perrigo -- launched a first-ever nationwide pilot program to help educate Dollar General shoppers at the shelf, using QR code technology.     

Consumers scan a code that takes them to an online OTC Pain Relief Interactive Quiz, available in both English and Spanish. The quiz asks shoppers to answer a short set of questions to determine individual symptoms as well as pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, liver disease, or stomach problems to name a few. Based on the shopper’s responses, the assessment then provides a personalized report on the most appropriate pain relief products that may be right for them.    

The pilot program will be available at nearly 19,000 Dollar General stores in 47 states.     

“Our research showed that QR code technology is a preferred way to access information, and we believe our OTC Pain Relief Quiz is the perfect solution to help support shoppers in the pain category, given the myriad of choices available on the shelf,” says Anita Brikman, executive director of the CHPA Educational Foundation.     

“As people grow more proactive about their health and well-being, manufacturers and retailers have a critical window of opportunity to address consumers’ needs by bridging health literacy gaps in a way that enables safe use and better self-care,” Brikman adds. The pilot program launched on November 6, 2022, and will continue for eight weeks through December 31, 2022.   

Visit KnowYourOTCs.org for more information.