TheBuzz
TheBuzz
The Verizon Foundation recently won national recognition for its "cybergrants." A tale of two techs
The Council on Foundations and the Communications Network in May presented the foundation with a Gold Award for excellence in communications in the 2001 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards program.
Verizon's charitable arm claims to be the first corporate foundation to require that all grant applications be submitted online, according to the company.
Brian Blevins, Hawaii region representative for the foundation, said it is focused on nonprofits' efforts to make better use of information-age technology, workforce development and enhancement of basic and computer literacy.
Some local beneficiaries of the foundation have included Goodwill Industries' computer literacy efforts in Hilo and the Centro Hispano de Hawaii, or the Hispanic Center of Hawaii.
"We are also are doing a lot to encourage our own employees to volunteer in the community," Blevins said. "Any employee who makes a $25 donation or more to the nonprofit of their choice can apply for a matching grant from the foundation."
Blevins said the foundation also provides cash support for employees who contribute hours to a nonprofit.
More technique than tech
Paul Brown, owner and president of his self-named Salon & Day Spa in Ward Centre, a salon in Waikele and a spa in the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island, becomes "sensei" for a day July 1.
Brown and his creative team will demonstrate their latest techniques and products for members of the Japanese Beauty Association, who are hairstylists and owners of the top 250 salons in Japan.
"We're showing cutting edge designs that have an '80s influence," Brown said, adding that the cuts are asymmetrical and fuller and involve more texture, and "that requires product," he said.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com