“I still learn a lot by being a judge,” said Gwin Johnston. “In the 31 years I have judged the Silver Anvils, winners are usually organizations that have hired public relations firms. That doesn’t mean public relations firms are smarter than the people they serve. They just know how to put awards together.” ]]> tmagnus@johnstonwells.com (Teresa Magnus) JohnstonWells News Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:51:50 +0000 http://www.johnstonwells.com/newsroom/jw-news/308--johnstonwells-donates-books-to-mile-high-montessori http://www.johnstonwells.com/newsroom/jw-news/308--johnstonwells-donates-books-to-mile-high-montessori

Today, the team at JohnstonWells Public Relations donated more than 50 books to low-income children at the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers.

Since January, JohnstonWells has sought the community’s assistance to expand Mile High Montessori’s lending library by asking people to donate new or gently-used books. The initiative is part of the JW’s celebration of 40 years in business.

]]> tmagnus@johnstonwells.com (Teresa Magnus) JohnstonWells News Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:04:54 +0000 http://www.johnstonwells.com/newsroom/jw-news/307-johnstonwells-seeks-books-for-montessori-school-book-drive http://www.johnstonwells.com/newsroom/jw-news/307-johnstonwells-seeks-books-for-montessori-school-book-drive We are asking the community to join us in collecting books for students at the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers, the most recent initiative in the our year-long celebration of 40 years in business.

“Reading is important in developing young minds and books can become very important to children.” said JohnstonWells CEO, Gwinavere Johnston. “We hope many families with grown children can participate.”

Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers provides early childhood care and education to low-income Denver children, in order to prepare them for school.

JohnstonWells will offer strategic public relations counsel and an investor outreach program to drive awareness of the conference taking place on Feb. 29, 2012.

Denver Resources Partners is a Colorado-based company that helps foreign companies establish themselves in North America.

With a focus on the rehabilitation of historic properties, Mattson Development is the largest landlord to the State of Maine. The firm has received numerous awards for its work, including the Maine Preservation’s Statewide Historic Preservation Award and the Maine Downtown Center’s Outstanding Historic Preservation Project of the Year Award.

JohnstonWells will work with former JohnstonWells employee, Drew Morris, who is now the director of communications for Mattson, to create the plan.

As a year-round shelter, The Delores Project is able to enhance services, providing support for women in securing long-term housing and addressing the other myriad challenges they face.

JohnstonWells has pledged to do something every 40 days from its 40th anniversary on Oct. 1. Last month they delivered 40 muffins to competitor Linhart Public Relations, to thank them for the leadership in public relations. The firm also it doing $40,000 worth of work for the Halo Foundation, an organization in the Five Points area that has after school programs for students who might otherwise go home to empty houses.

“The part that interested us, at first in the Halo Foundation, was its arts programs, but we think what they’re doing goes beyond art,” says Gwinavere Johnston, CEO of JohnstonWells.

“We promised we would do something every 40 days after celebrating our 40^th year,” said Gwin Johnston, CEO of JohnstonWells.  “We missed it by a few days, but we really did want to point out Linhart’s leadership in the field.”

Linhart Tweeted its thanks to JW.

“Every day has been different, and that’s been fun and exciting,” said Johnston. “That means that every day we get smarter.”

In honor of its 40-year anniversary, the company will provide $40,000 in pro-bono public relations services to an organization close to Johnston’s heart – The HALO (Helping Art Liberate Orphans) Foundation.

Established in Denver in 2009, the HALO Center now serves as a safe haven to more than 40 children each night, fostering educational and emotional growth while equipping at risk youth with the skills to become contributing members of their communities. A variety of programming is offered after school, focusing on education, art therapy and recreation.

Known for her eclectic folk art collection and philanthropic efforts in the Denver art community, JohnstonWells’ founder Gwin Johnston sees HALO as the perfect opportunity to bridge her love of art with helping Denver’s at-risk youth. Each night the children are served a hot meal (courtesy of the Food Bank of the Rockies) and participate in an art project while being offered tutoring services.

Nikki Cady, executive director of The Halo Foundation said she feels extremely fortunate that JW has chosen Halo as the recipient of such a wonderful gift.

“The Halo Foundation is a grass roots organization and relatively new to the Denver community. We have touched the lives of hundreds of at risk youth and their families in Denver. We are extremely excited to be able to share the story of our successes with the help of JohnstonWells," she added.

“Gwin Johnston is not only a remarkably creative communicator, she also gives back to our community as much as anyone I know. Gwin is most deserving to join the best of the best at the Denver Press Club,” Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said when he learned Johnston was being recognized.