During its 2016 Encourage Health Educational Series, enmarket has donated $5,000 to four area nonprofit organizations: The Coastal Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America, Savannah AMBUCS, Savannah Tree Foundation and Urban Hope, Inc.

In conjunction with Healthy Savannah and other sponsors, the fuel and convenience store chain presented $1,000 grants during each lecture.

“We are committed to helping Savannah become a healthier community, and the Encourage Health Series is specifically geared to help show all of us how live healthier lives,” said Matt Clements, enmarket’s director of marketing. ”This is a win-win for all of us – those nonprofit organizations receiving the grant money and the audience members who enjoy learning about new ways to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle."

The company was founded in 1963 as Interstate Stations, then rebranded as “Enmark” in 1983 and most recently as “enmarket” in 2015 to reflect fresh and healthy food options.

To further its commitment to helping people live healthier lives, enmarket established the Encourage Health Series and in conjunction with other local sponsors, has presented a series of four lectures throughout the year for the past three years, calling on respected experts to share insights on nutrition, fitness and general tips for healthy living.

The 2016 program was co-sponsored by Gulfstream, Sandfly Family Dental, Healthy Savannah, Savannah Morning News, Savannah Magazine and GPB Savannah – WSVH 91.1/WWIO 89.9.

In April, The Coastal Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America was selected to be awarded the first of the 2016 series’ $1,000 grants. This nonprofit organization combines educational activities with value-driven projects in order to mold young men and encourage them to make ethical and moral decisions throughout their future. The event featured a presentation by Kevin Klinkenberg, “Going Old School: Walk Your Way to Better Health," encouraging attendees to make walking a part of their everyday lives.

In June, a $1,000 grant was presented to Urban Hope, which helps inner city children create better lives for themselves. Ellen Blossman’s presentation, “Eat Well and Boost Your Energy With Phytochemicals,” addressed the role of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and help prevent cancer and their relation to overall health.

At the third event in August, the $1,000 Encourage Health grant went to the Savannah Tree Foundation, a 33-year-old nonprofit organization that works to protect trees in Savannah and Chatham County. The lecture featured Denise Grabowski presenting "10 Ways Buildings Affect Your Mission to Healthy Life.” Grabowski said most people spend time indoors and explained how buildings can affect overall physical, mental and social wellbeing.

In October, the final lecture in the series benefitted the Savannah AMBUCS with a $1,000 grant and featured a presentation by Bauer Coslick: “10 Ways to Reduce Inflammation in the Body to Improve Longevity Through Acupuncture Practices.” Coslick is the owner of Vitality: Acupuncture +Integrative medicine. AMBUCS is an organization dedicated to bringing mobility and independence to people with disabilities, primarily through donating their Amtryke therapeutic tricycles to those in need.

AMBUCS also received a $1,000 grand prize for collecting the greatest number of votes from fans of the four nonprofits. At the beginning of the series, each organization received a QR code to be scanned at any of the 61 area enmarket stores. No purchases were necessary, but supporters had to go into a store to vote.

All of the 2016 enmarket Encourage Health Education Series lunchtime programs were held at the Savannah Morning News Auditorium, 1375 Chatham Parkway. Information about the 2017 program, including speakers, recipients and lecture dates, will be announced in early 2017.