More than 10 million (1 in 6) seniors in the U.S. face the threat of hunger and more than 15 million (1 in 4) are living in isolation. Meals on Wheels America is a national network of local community organizations that deliver meals, friendly visits and safety checks to our nation’s most vulnerable seniors. With the senior population projected to double by 2050, and an aging volunteer base, Meals on Wheels America, in partnership with the Ad Council, is launching its first national integrated campaign this summer to recruit a new pipeline of volunteers to meet the growing need.
Every day, Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver one million meals and smiles to seniors in need across the country. The current network represents more than 5,000 local programs in virtually every community in America and relies on an army of two million volunteers to deliver meals five days a week, typically between 11 am and 1 pm. Beyond providing nutrition, delivering a meal also provides a moment of human connection that nourishes both the senior and the volunteer. For many seniors, the volunteer may be the only person they will see that day. According to a survey of current Meals on Wheels volunteers, more than 75 percent are over the age of 55, and the average age of volunteers is 62, making it critical to recruit additional volunteers to keep the wheels rolling for future generations.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7867951-ad-council-meals-on-wheels/
All natural disasters, including the recent hurricanes, are a reminder how swiftly emergencies and disasters can happen. To address the fact that less than 50 percent of households have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their families, FEMA and the Ad Council are working to inform and encourage all Americans to plan ahead for disasters. FEMA and the Ad Council are announcing the release of new public service announcements (PSAs) as part of the Ready Campaign to conclude National Preparedness Month. The PSAs, “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” encourage families to take time to talk about their emergency plans – what to do, where to go for an evacuation or shelter-in-place, and how to get in contact in the event that you are separated in a disaster or emergency.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It’s important to be aware of your local hazards,” said FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness Katie Fox. “The first step to preparing for a disaster doesn’t cost anything – talk to your family and make a plan for evacuation, shelter and communication. Discuss what you will need. You can also take training or a CPR course to help yourself and others.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8170051-ad-council-fema-ready-gov-national-preparedness-month-disaster-plan/
The Ad Council, the largest producer of public service campaigns in the U.S., in partnership with Viacom, home to premier global brands in media and entertainment, and non-profit leader Facing Addiction today launched the PSA campaign “LISTEN” to ignite a national conversation about drug and alcohol addiction as a public health epidemic, and empower those impacted by substance use disorders.
While past PSA campaigns have traditionally focused on the perspective of those at risk, urging them to eliminate all substance use, “LISTEN” addresses the support system of people who are also affected by this crisis. Using powerful stories that portray the modern faces of addiction and recovery, the campaign looks to remove the stigma attached to substance misuse through the act of informed, compassionate listening. The campaign’s website, heretolisten.com, and Facing Addiction's Resource Hub provides important tools and information to help people start a productive conversation with their friends and loved ones and to support the more than 45 million Americans directly impacted by addiction.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8029751-ad-council-listen-psa-addiction-drug-alcohol-substance-abuse/
The National Limousine Association’s Ride Responsibly™ initiative (www.rideresponsibly.org) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (www.nsvrc.org) have joined forces to produce a public service campaign, starring actress and activist Pamela Anderson. The PSA educates the industry and public at large about the dangers associated with ride-hailing apps.
The video, titled “The Driving Game!”, is an extension of the Ride Responsibly initiative to improve safety for passengers using ride-hailing apps. In the PSA, Ms. Anderson takes a lighthearted approach at communicating the critically important point that “you can’t always vet the driver you are using, but the service you are using should.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7769451-nla-ride-responsibly-driving-game-psa/
More than 40 million Americans are family caregivers, taking care of parents, spouses, partners, and other adult loved ones. To help caregivers get the support they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones, AARP and the Ad Council are continuing their successful Caregiver Assistance campaign with new PSAs, created pro bono by agency Spike DDB, designed to reach the underserved African-American caregiver population.
“Many people will spend more of their time and resources caring for their aging parents than they did raising their own children,” said AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “African-American caregivers are disproportionately affected as most are much younger than their white counterparts and often leave the workforce to provide care on a full-time basis. These new PSAs will help create greater awareness for caregivers who tackle tough issues every day, and provide information on the many resources that are available to help them meet their needs and those of their loved ones.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7980451-ad-council-aarp-caregiver-assistance-campaign/
Four in ten New Yorkers report feeling unprepared for an emergency event such as a natural disaster, fire, power outage or act of terrorism. To raise awareness of preparedness tactics and encourage New Yorkers to plan ahead for disasters, the New York City Emergency Management Department, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council are releasing new public service announcements (PSAs) as part of the Ready New York campaign to conclude National Preparedness Month this September. The creative encourages families to take time to talk about making emergency plans, including what to do, where to go, and how to stay in touch during an emergency.
“We want all New Yorkers to know what to do to be prepared before a disaster strikes. We can help protect our families by thinking through the steps to take before, during and after an emergency. The new ads show how easy it is to make a plan, empowering New Yorkers to have a much-needed discussion about family preparedness,” shares Joseph J. Esposito, Commissioner of NYC Emergency Management.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8170351-ad-council-nyc-emergency-management-plan/
Over 80% of Americans want to spend their last days at home, with friends and family. Yet, despite these desires, 75% of Americans will spend their last days in a hospital room. Many people will spend hours each day getting painful and often useless treatments and tests, and be asked to take dozens of debilitating drugs. For many, the cure is worse than the disease. This often has negative and lasting effects on family and friends who are often left with feelings of guilt and regret for years to come.
Hospice Support Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting end of life care at home rather than in a hospital so patients can spend their last days in dignity and peace, pain-free in familiar, comfortable surroundings with friends and family.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7785451-hospice-support-fund-end-of-life-care-psa/
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), today on Giving Tuesday, is dispelling stereotypes about female leadership and demonstrating the importance of investing in girls who make a difference in the world. A newly unveiled Girl Scout PSA and anthem bring to life the unique Girl Scout programming that enables girls—from kindergarten through high school—to practice leadership. This new campaign effort is revealed alongside preliminary data that, for the first time, articulates what girls are doing on a daily basis to take the lead and make the world a better place. The Girl Scout program encourages girls to be leaders at every age, and a donation to Girl Scouts on Giving Tuesday goes further than the Girl Scout organization—it is an investment in girls who, in turn, invest their time, talents, and leadership in the present and future well-being of our world.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7914751-girl-scouts-of-the-usa-giving-tuesday/
