By Lolly Colombo

(Read Homeless in Phoenix Part I  and Part II  for the beginnings of this story.)

Had I ever treated a homeless person in this way? My mind raced. My work-study assignment at college was at the Peace Corps/Vista office around the corner from Lafayette Park and across the street from the White House – always a haven for the homeless and political protesters holding vigil. Had I walked by them with condescension? Were they invisible to me? Did I scorn them? Ignore them? Fear them? Somehow, I had to tell Linda I was not who I seemed to be. I hated to, and a part of me was ashamed to.

We got off the bus and walked back to The Salvation Army shelter. It was like coming home even after just two nights. I knew the van would be back around to pick us up that evening, so I had to come clean and tell my friend that I was a fake. Truthfully, it was an opportunity to share with her the bigger picture. She took the news in stride. I scratched my name and home phone number on a square of toilet paper, and she walked me back to that fateful plaza by City Hall. I hugged her, told her to go home, shed tears, and jumped on the van back to reality.

A week later, as our desert experience was coming to a close, I asked an old high school friend in Phoenix to drive me by The Salvation Army shelter on my way to the airport to see if I could find Linda.  When I inquired, I was told that she had gotten into a fight and was taken to the hospital. They didn’t know which one. Seven months later, I flew off to Bolivia to feed hungry children for two years. Three years after that, married to a Chilean missionary pastor, now living in Santiago, Chile, and on baby number two − one Sunday morning, the phone rang. It was her. She didn’t have to explain to me who she was. Somehow, I knew instantly when she told me her name. She had saved my number on that piece of toilet paper all those years, called my mom in New York, and then called me in South America to tell me that she went home, reconciled herself to her family, found God, and got her life on track.

The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter for the Homeless in downtown Phoenix was the venue of that miracle. I was blessed and privileged to have been dropped on the streets that weekend, meeting that old man on that park bench and following him home. I have a first-hand heart for the work of the Army.  God stages wonders there every day and, truthfully, most of those wonders go untold. I was a lucky one to have my story come full circle. Today, I am privileged to serve The Salvation Army in the Western Territory as a Senior Strategist at Grizzard.

By the way, the worship singer from that church in Phoenix was at my brother’s wedding several years later, and I was able to tell him who I was. He learned something vital that day! God is good!

Why I Love What I Do – Part III is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

By Lolly Colombo

(Read Homeless in Phoenix Part I for the beginning of this story.)

The ladies shelter was a large room with some 40 or more cots lining either side of what seemed to be a small converted warehouse. I was assigned to sleep between a little old lady and the door to the bathroom. My nemesis was across the room. On the bedside table was a Bible and, although my own still squeaked when I opened it (as I was a brand-new believer and couldn’t find a thing in Scripture if my life depended on it), I nonetheless opened the Bible and began to read Psalms to my elderly neighbor as we piled into bed. The girl from across the room began to move closer until she was sitting on my cot, looking over my shoulder.

She challenged me about some of the things I was reading and. although I didn’t have enough light to effectively defend the Scriptures, I just told her that Jesus was amazing, he is the central message of the Scripture and totally worth following. The next day, we were aroused early and sent out to the streets to fend for ourselves. Linda, my new friend (although I feared for my life at the thought of telling her I was an impostor – so I didn’t), told me her story and showed me the ropes. She was a rebel, a runaway from Wisconsin, caught up in drugs and gangs, and had been living on the streets in cities across America since she was a teenager.

We walked for miles, ate nothing all day, and ended up at the notorious Phoenix Tent City area and Library Park where, by nightfall, drunks, drug dealers, drifters, prostitutes, destitute elderly, disabled veterans, mentally ill vagrants, and young families with small children − fallen on hard times and sleeping in cars − cohabitated as a community. The area was so volatile that the police formed a perimeter around the park to contain the evils within. That night, back on my cot at The Salvation Army shelter, I could hardly sleep. In my upper middle-class, Evangelical, perfect family environment, I had never been exposed to this world. Yet, for all these people and so many hundreds of thousands more, across the country, this is their world and no one knew where I was.

The next morning, a bus sent by a local mega-church came by the shelter to pick us up. I convinced Linda to go with me – hopeful that she would hear from God. The bus made its way through some of the most depressed areas in the city, picking up hobos from street corners and little old ladies from the projects, dressed in their Sunday best, with lipstick streaked across their lips and their worn wigs sitting crooked atop their dear heads. I smiled. When we arrived, we were herded into Sunday-school classes. Linda and I elbowed our smelly way through crowds of beautiful people, perfumed, coiffed, and well-heeled, until we finally settled in the back row of a young singles class.

I was conscious that I hadn’t showered in 10 days and was wearing torn, filthy jeans and an old stained T-shirt. I had never been to church dressed like this. A worship singer was visiting from a well-known Atlanta church, a church where (I love how God does this) my brother was on staff. After the class, as we worked our way out to the main sanctuary, I stopped to say Hello and exuberantly told him that he certainly must know my brother. He pulled back and looked at me with total disparagement and responded emphatically, “There is no way I know your brother!” I was stunned. He saw a transient. He saw nothing on the inside of me. At once, I realized how simple it was to become a part of the homeless community, and I bonded on even a deeper level with our humble group.

We were herded into the sanctuary and directed to sit in a roped-off area for the homeless in the far back, stage right. Linda and I were in the first row designated for us and, as the cameras whirred and swung around the room and the pastor announced that “We have a ministry to the homeless,” we were signaled to wave at the cameras by the ushers who seated us. When the pastor encouraged his congregation to greet our neighbors, the woman in front of me pulled her child to safety and shunned us with a disapproving glare. “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” We were clearly not her neighbors. We were the homeless. We were not lovely and, thereby, not worthy of love. We were bussed back to our world, too late to catch a hot lunch at the local soup kitchen. I sat with Linda in silence.

Continue on to Homeless in Phoenix Part III.

Why I Love What I Do – Part II is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

By Lolly Colombo

It was the autumn of 1984 and the height of the Ethiopian famine. Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie’s We Are the World would soon top the charts, and all I wanted was to go feed hungry kids! Images of half-bare children with distended stomachs and merciless swarms of flies around their ears and eyes brought me to my knees as I searched for a way to make a difference. All I wanted was to hold those babies and make it right. I agreed to go on the mission trip with Food for the Hungry. Part of my training for this assignment was to endure two weeks of desert training outside of Phoenix and two weeks of jungle training in the heart of South Florida.

The desert emersion experience was set for the same time that I had an admissions interview at Thunderbird, so I thought it was destiny and caught a flight out of JFK direct to Phoenix. After a week of living in a corrugated tin shelter, doing hard labor under the sun, dealing with scorpions and snakes, and having no shower or way to wash our clothes, the dozen of us altruistic 20-somethings were summoned to breakfast one morning. Instead of a wonderful hot bun and a cup of steaming tea, we were routed to a van, our valuables were confiscated, and we were dropped in a plaza in downtown Phoenix. “Pick you up in three days” were the final words of the chauffeur as he smiled and drove away.

Everyone scattered. Most had friends in the city and so scarfed a dime from a stranger, made a call, and spent the weekend in a nice warm bed. I looked for a harmless, homeless person to follow home. I figured I could outrun an elderly man with a patch over one eye, a wooden leg and a crutch, and so I sat down to chat. Little did I know that he would lead me that night to the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter on Jefferson Street.

It was dark by the time we had arrived, and the reception area was smoky and packed. I had no idea that the city of Phoenix was struggling with a massive homeless situation and that the police were sweeping the streets and sending all the ruffians to one of two shelters in the downtown area. One of them was this one. I looked around the room, and everyone looked menacing, especially a young woman on the other side of the room with short dark hair, a muscle shirt, and scars across her neck and arms. She glared threateningly across the room. I decided I would need to act just as tough to survive the night. I stood in line, signed in, received a cot assignment, a Dixie cup of red Kool-Aid and a piece of bologna between two slices of Wonder Bread. I had shelter for the night.

Continue the story of Homeless in Phoenix Part II.

Why I Love What I Do – Part I is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

ATLANTA, MAY 14, 2013 – Grizzard Communications Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 100 Workplaces for 2013.

The Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. WorkplaceDynamics conducts regional Top Workplaces programs with 37 major publishing partners and recognizes a list of 150 National Top Workplaces.  Over the past year, more than 5,000 organizations and 1 in every 88 employees in the U.S. have turned to WorkplaceDynamics to better understand what’s on the minds of their employees.

Grizzard had a 96% response rate to the survey, which greatly exceeded the average company response of 60%.   Said CEO Chip Grizzard: “We are honored to be among the 100 companies selected as a Top Workplace, particularly as the judges were our associates.  We appreciate our associates taking the time to provide honest feedback regarding Grizzard’s culture and their personal work experience. We are proud of our associates, our work, our work/life balance, and the role we play everyday helping our nonprofit partners make the world a better place.”

The Atlanta Journal Constitution published the complete list of Top Workplaces on April 28. For more information about the Top Workplaces lists and WorkplaceDynamics, please visit www.topworkplaces.com and www.workplacedynamics.com.

Grizzard Named “Top 100 Workplace 2013” By Atlanta Journal Constitution is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed “Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of brotherhood. In time of war, the men and women of this organization have brought to those serving their country far from home, friendliness and warm concern. In the quieter days of peace, their work has been a constant reminder to us all that each of us is neighbor and kin to all Americans, giving freely of themselves, the men and women of The Salvation Army have won the respect of all.”

Today, the date of National Salvation Army Week has changed, but the work of The Salvation Army that was recognized has not – to serve those in need without discrimination.

This year we celebrate National Salvation Army Week May 13-19.

Grizzard has had the privilege of working with The Salvation Army since 1944.  The year 2014 will mark our 70^th anniversary of partnership.

I have had the privilege of working with The Salvation Army since I first came to Grizzard in March of 1999.  Prior to that, I knew The Salvation Army as the shelter in Atlanta on Marietta Street, a place I had volunteered with friends to provide children’s activities while their mothers had training classes on parenting and job skills.

As one of the largest charitable and service organization in the world, The Salvation Army has been dispensing aid, without discrimination, to those in need since 1865. Begun by William Booth in the East End of London the Army flourished and spread to other cities as Booth preached hope and salvation for the desperately poor and downtrodden.

The work of The Salvation Army today is still based on William Booth’s teachings and continues his mission and service principles which are motivated by love for God and mankind.

As we celebrate National Salvation Army Week, I want to thank all of those Salvation Army officers and staff that work tirelessly every day to make their communities and our world a better place.  It is an honor to partner with you in your work.

National Salvation Army Week – May 13 is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

ATLANTA, May 10, 2013 – Grizzard Communications Group, Inc. was named direct response fundraising agency of record for The Salvation Army Nashville Area Command.  With the selection of Grizzard, the command returns to its former partnership with the direct response agency.

As the area command’s fundraising partner, Grizzard will collaborate with the development team on multi-channel fundraising strategies. Grizzard brings to the relationship its in‐depth research, deep analytics, and almost 70 years of experience and passion working with The Salvation Army in North America and worldwide.

“I look forward to a great partnership with Grizzard.  I selected them for their innovative approach to integrating our message across all channels.  Their growth strategy is exactly what the Nashville Area Command needs to achieve its fundraising goals.  Thanks for all you and your folks are doing for the Mission of the Army,” said Area Commander Lt.-Colonel Charles White.

Grizzard has been working with The Salvation Army on their fundraising since 1944, and currently partners with more than 750 Army corps and commands throughout North America. The agency’s experience in this fundraising sector, as well as its multi-channel and digital integration expertise, were instrumental to its selection by the Nashville Area Command.

According to Grizzard Executive Vice President Perry Moore, ”We are proud and excited to partner with the Nashville Area Command again. We look forward to applying our digital, multi-channel growth strategies to increase donors and funds in support of the great outreach our colleagues are accomplishing in Nashville.”

Grizzard Named Direct Response Fundraising Agency of Record for The Salvation Army Nashville Area Command is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

This is by Dan Pallotta. He aims to transform the way society thinks about charity and giving and change. He says everything the donating public has been taught about giving is dysfunctional. He also says:

• “The next time you’re looking at a charity, don’t ask about the rate of their overhead. Ask about the scale of their dreams.”
• “Our generation does not want its epitaph to read, ‘We kept charity overhead low.’ We want it to read that we changed the world.”
• “When you prohibit failure, you kill innovation. If you kill innovation in fundraising, you can’t raise more revenue. If you can’t raise more revenue, you can’t grow. And if you can’t grow, you can’t possibly solve large social problems.”

How do you approach fundraising? Are you focused on revenue growth or overhead costs? In 2007, one of our clients asked for a growth plan to double their revenue in five years. Our analytics team went to work and, together with our strategy team, proposed a new strategy of acquisition, retention and integration. Yes, the client spent more money. Yes, the client had to change its approach internally. And yes, we created a collaborative partnership working together for a common goal. And the results?

The original goal was achieved. Yes, they spent more money, but as Dan says, they were more interested in the scale of their dreams instead of their overhead costs. What is holding you back?

What is holding you back? is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

First and foremost, this conference spanned from Wednesday through late Saturday, and all attendees were welcomed with an unseasonal snowstorm. Coming from the 80-degree Atlanta area, I began to question my decision to go. I realized later that these ingredients were the perfect medley for a great conference.

The primary distinguishing factors setting NTC apart from other industry conferences were the attendees.

• The attendees trended younger and had a voracious appetite for knowledge for information − not just content information, but the desire to learn the know-how.
• There was no room in the sessions for hype or unproven methodologies.
• Turn-key, simplified examples of success were the hottest items.
• Fanfair was not present.
• Innovations were celebrated but didn’t overshadow successes that were proven.
• And finally, everyone involved with NTC invested a part of himself or herself, personally, and seemed very committed to making the conference a collaborative success.

As part of the Integrated Marketing Advisor Board (IMAB) leadership team, we led a successful workshop called the “Multi-channel Mixer.” Audience members represented a cross-section of small and large nonprofits, as well as some agencies working in the U.S. and international markets. The session quickly segued into real-world conversations of the true challenges nonprofits of all sizes are facing in the industry. Overwhelmingly, nonprofit representatives agreed that internal silos and organizational culture is the number-one roadblock challenging charities.

The group discussed specifically some incremental steps toward improvement and justifying investment in multi-channel marketing activities. The audience was then divided into two groups to work on true-life scenarios facing some nonprofits today. The groups were tasked with crafting integrated solutions to appeal to donors of multiple generations, spread investment across multiple channels to diversify revenue sources, and combat attrition in specific channels such as major gift donors and telemarketing.

Participants worked together with new friends to arrive at some forward-thinking solutions incorporating integrated marketing. Stay tuned for more IMAB presence in the industry. IMAB members will be presenting at the upcoming Fundraising Online Conference from May 15-16.

I will definitely be back to NTC, come blizzard or sunshine.

A special thank you to NTC and NTEN for allowing the Integrated Marketing Advisory Board (IMABgroup.net) to be a part of the sessions and the community.

NTC – No Hype Allowed is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

This was my first visit to Nashville, and the food and music were great! Four gifted songwriters told their stories at Puckett’s Grocery Restaurant, and Billy Dean made us sing along and laugh. And the folks at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee were great hosts. But what impressed me most was that no one forgot why we were there – to further the mission of feeding hungry people. As the Volunteer of the Year said of his 6,000+ hours of service, hungry kids keep him motivated.

You could see it in these executives’ faces. They worked hard, they led their food banks through tough times, yet they knew at the end of the day, one fewer hungry person made it all worthwhile.

Yeah, I was inspired. So I ventured out into the streets of downtown Nashville with some extra soup and fruit from lunch. It took me about five minutes to find someone who was not quite as fortunate as I’ve been. I asked him, “Sir, would you like some food?” He turned to look at me, his face brightening, and he said with a smile, “YES, I’d like some food!” That made the connection for me. As bright or strategic or clever as we think we might be, let’s not forget why we’re in this particular field – to help those who need it most.

Thank you, Feeding America and your network of incredible people! Keep on inspiring us!

I was inspired at the Feeding America Forum is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group

Atlanta, April 26, 2013 – Grizzard Communications Group announced today that the fundraising agency has promoted James Read to Executive Vice President Creative, and Todd Bemis to Vice President Digital Creative. Both associates have extensive experience in creating successful fundraising campaigns for some of the leading nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and internationally.

Read will head the Grizzard Creative Team, which includes more than two dozen creative and studio associates in the Atlanta and Los Angeles offices of the agency. Read steps up from his previous position as Senior Creative Director. He will continue to focus his strengths in strategy, messaging and copywriting to optimize  fundraising results.

Before joining the agency five years ago, Read served numerous national charities as a consultant, copywriter and creative director. He has helped raise over a billion dollars in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., for nonprofits including The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Rescue Missions, National Parkinson Foundation, University of Chicago, World Vision, and AARP Foundation. His work has been recognized with awards that include a DMA ECHO

Bemis will continue developing new digital products and offerings for Grizzard clients that help boost fundraising revenue, increase engagement and strengthen brands.  He has expertise in creative leadership, cross media nonprofit campaign development, site architecture, direct marketing, eCRM and eCommerce.

Bemis has led creative direction for digital, social, mobile, emerging media, branding, and direct response campaigns for the The March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Prison Fellowship, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, AT&T Wireless, Equifax, Black & Decker, The Home Depot and John Deere. Prior to joining Grizzard in 2012, he was VP, Group Creative Director, Director of Interactive Strategy at BKV Advertising.

“We are excited to have this dynamic leadership duo heading our Creative Team, and about the elevated level of talent they bring to our content and digital creative strategies, “ said CEO Chip Grizzard.  “James and Todd have extensive, complementary portfolios of expertise behind them – and exciting creative offerings yet to come. We are delighted to put this combination to work for our partners creating more passionate donors and raising more money for their missions.”

Grizzard Strengthens Creative Team With Leadership Promotions is a post from: Grizzard Communications Group