<em>Photo above:&nbsp;American Legion Beaufort Post 9 is striving to promote both patriotism and businesses in the Beaufort area by calling attention to those that proudly display the U.S. flag at their location. Post 9 presents those enterprises with a framed certificate thanking them. Above, Vice Commander Paul Sweet presents the Rev. John Dortch, founder of Circle of Hope Hospitality House, a certificate of appreciation.</em>

[caption id="attachment_31904" align="aligncenter" width="1600"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/legion.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-31904"><img class="size-full wp-image-31904" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/legion.jpg" alt="American Legion Beaufort Post 9 is striving to promote both patriotism and businesses in the Beaufort area by calling attention to those that proudly display the U.S. flag at their location. Post 9 presents those enterprises with a framed certificate thanking them. Above, Post 9 Commander Chuck Lurey presents Larry Kizer of Zippy Lube with his certificate." width="1600" height="1200"></a> American Legion Beaufort Post 9 is striving to promote both patriotism and businesses in the Beaufort area by calling attention to those that proudly display the U.S. flag at their location. Post 9 presents those enterprises with a framed certificate thanking them. Above, Post 9 Commander Chuck Lurey presents Larry Kizer of Zippy Lube with his certificate.[/caption]

<b>Firm wins ad award for Second Helpings brand </b>

<b><a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/group46-Addy.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-31903"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31903" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/group46-Addy.jpg" alt="group46-Addy" width="3872" height="2592"></a>&nbsp;</b>

Local ad agency group46 took home an award at the American Advertising Federation’s 2017 ADDY Awards on March 30 in Savannah.

The work done by group46 graphic designer Aaron McCarthy on Second Helpings’ collateral was distinguished as exemplary among its competition and received a Bronze medal in the Public Service: Brand Element category. &nbsp;

“We are delighted to hear group46 has won an ADDY Award for the work done for our organization. As a non-profit that collects and distributes over 2.8 million pounds of food every year, their talents have helped us fight hunger in the Lowcountry. We are very grateful for their work on our behalf,” said Lili Coleman, Executive Director of Second Helpings. &nbsp;

Second Helpings is a nonprofit food rescue and distribution whose focus is to eliminate hunger in the Lowcountry. They provide their resources from local grocery stores to local food pantries and soup kitchens. group46 did a branding study into the core of their organization to understand their main goal and produce effective marketing materials. Based on their findings, group46 designed a new logo, brochure, truck wrap for their refrigerated trucks and a billboard.&nbsp;

<b>County has new company&nbsp;</b><b>to collect delinquent taxes</b>

The Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office will begin using a third party collection agency, American Financial Credit Services (AFCS), to assist in the collection of delinquent business personal property taxes.

In the past, the Annual Tax Sale was the primary and only delinquent collection program.&nbsp;

In 2014, with support from Beaufort County Council, the Treasurer's Office initiated the Setoff Debt Program.&nbsp; his program has yielded positive results over the past three years but does have limitations.

“In general, businesses cannot be submitted through the Setoff Debt program,” said Maria Walls, CPA, Beaufort County Treasurer. “The program requires the use of a Social Security number, an identifier most businesses do not have.&nbsp; Pursuing and collecting delinquent taxes is a sensitive subject, but it is part of my role as treasurer, so we utilize programs that fulfill our responsibility with professional and personalized services.&nbsp;

“AFCS’s collection services are unique, in addition to pursuing the taxes owed, they will assist delinquent taxpayers who are found to have been taxed incorrectly, by educating them on the proper documentation to file so the tax does not continue to be assessed each year.”

Visit BeaufortCountyTreasurer.com.

<b>New wedding collective&nbsp;</b><b>to serve Lowcountry</b>

Bill Winans, owner of Meeting Dynamics, Inc. and Carolina Weddings has recently started The Carolina Wedding Group Collective under the direction of marketing coordinator, Vanessa Leite.

The collective will serve as a resource for couples planning their weddings in the Lowcountry of South Carolina or the Coastal Empire of Georgia.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Carolina Wedding Group Collective is an expanding conglomerate of wedding professionals. Many destination and local brides in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire need help in locating wedding vendors that fit their needs, both in style and in pricing, according to a release.

&nbsp;“The Carolina Wedding Group Collective website has become a portal to find everything about Lowcountry Weddings," said Christina Vicaro, owner of Lowcountry Bride and Gown and member of the Carolina Wedding Collective. “From furniture rentals to photographers, florists to spas, we are hoping to be a boutique style one stop shop for local and destination couples and their families.“

Visit www.CarolinaWeddingGroup.com. &nbsp;

<b>Parker’s makes $20,000&nbsp;</b><b>donation to local schools</b>

A local convenience store company recently donated $20,000 to Beaufort County schools as part of an ongoing promotion at its outlets.

Parker’s, which operates 48 convenience stores in Georgia and South Carolina, said the proceeds came from its “Fueling the Community” program. That promotion gives 1 cent of every gallon of gas sold on the first Wednesday of each month to local schools.

Some of the Parker’s donation goes to support the school district’s annual “Support Person of the Year” recognition program, which honors school nurses, social workers, bookkeepers, office managers, teacher assistants, school secretaries and technology and data specialists.&nbsp; Other funds go to specific schools designated by Parker’s “Pump Pal Club” customers when they purchase their gasoline on the first Wednesday of each month.

"At Parker's, we believe education has the power to transform lives," said President and CEO Greg Parker. "We are grateful to the teachers who work hard every day to educate students throughout Beaufort County and are delighted to honor and support their efforts."

Parker’s launched its charitable initiative in 2011 and has donated money to public and private schools in every community where Parker’s does business. &nbsp;

Superintendent Jeff Moss accepted the donation on behalf of the school district.

<b>Library is helping&nbsp;</b><b>businesses, job seekers&nbsp;</b>

The Beaufort County Library system is now offering to its cardholders free access to ReferenceUSA, a trusted source of business and residential information for reference and research.

With the most up-to-date data available in the market, ReferenceUSA can help users find jobs by job skills, location and industry; find business opportunities; locate companies nationwide; research business executives; view historical market trends; track down addresses and phone numbers, discover news articles for research and more.

Library cardholders can access the ReferenceUSA website at any time; however, their active Beaufort County Library account number is required for access. Get started at www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/reference-usa.

Beaufort County Library cards are free to Beaufort County residents and property owners. Visit www.beaufortcountylibrary.org.