My knees ache.  My hips hurt.  My back is sore.  My soul…my soul is singing. I just started running - again.  I started running for the first time 12 years ago.  I was working with eight-time U.S. Duathlon Champion Kenny Sousa and he made running sound like it was fun.  It wasn’t.  Not at first.

The very first time I decided to give running a try, I sprinted for three (that’s not a typo) blocks, grabbed the light post for support and started hyperventilating.  The next day, I began running with a passion. I ran every day for two years while training for the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. 

The last time I ran was March, 2007.  My nephew Frank talked me into entering the Utica Heart Run.  He was a high school track star. I was a middle-aged woman.  I agreed because I thought it was cool that he asked me (not many 18-year-olds want to be seen having fun with their aunt – especially when their aunt is wearing running tights).  I wasn’t prepared for this challenge, but I gave it the old college try. Had I still been in college, the results may have been different.

Frank completed the 10-mile-run in the same amount of time it took me to compete the three-mile-run.  As I approached the steepest part of the course – Utica’s own “Heartbreak Hill”- I barely noticed Frank striding along beside me.  I was focused on the roadside posters pointing out the seven warning signs of a stroke - four of which (shortness of breath, heart palpations, dizziness and fatigue) I was experiencing at that very moment.  While I checked my pulse and scanned the area for an EMT, Frank waved and shouted “See ya at the finish line.”  He wasn’t even breathing hard.

My goal is to run the Utica Boilermaker, July 2012.  It’s the country’s largest 15K run.  Often covered by ESPN, it attracts elite runners from around the world. I’ve participated in the race twice before and it’s fabulous.  The entire city gets involved.  As a PR professional, I applaud the marketing genius of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.  As the event’s lead sponsor, they offer all runners Saranac Beer free of charge. Bottled water costs $2.50. 

-Karen

I like to eat. Everything. All the time. No, really, it’s bad - I’m perpetually hungry and reading, writing and talking about delicious things all day only makes it worse.  I’ve never been able to say no to trying new foods, and my belief that no meal is complete without dessert guides my entire life.

I read the New York Times Dining section religiously, and one glorious Wednesday morning the hallowed broadsheet magically flew open to a two page ad spread announcing the return of New York City’s bi-annual Restaurant Week from July 11 – 24, along with this summer’s participating eateries. Clearly, this was a divine message telling me to spread the good news, so I immediately emailed the rest of the “Hunter Public Relations Newbie Crew,” a group of new-hires, and fellow foodies, to begin planning a Restaurant Week outing.

In case you’ve never experienced it, Restaurant Week offers those of us with more appetite than cash an opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal at some of the city’s finest culinary hot spots without fear of defaulting on a month’s rent.

We decided to dine at nearby Ilili, which serves Lebanese/Mediterranean cuisine.  We began with a complimentary Shot of Passion, having all unlocked the Foursquare special within minutes of arriving. Between the nine of us, we were able to try nearly every dish on the menu – including the octopus! Our mutual adoration for Ilili’s tuna belly even convinced one less adventurous Hunter newbie to try it for the first time.

Working with others who share my prandial enthusiasm has been more fun than I could have imagined. I’m lucky to work at an agency where everyone is eager to experience new things (food-related or not), so I’ll be keeping my eyes open for more newbie adventure ideas. Stay tuned!

-Nihara

Have you ever passed by a guiding eye dog and gazed in amazement at their innate ability to lead a blind person? After witnessing such, I did some research and stumbled across Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Guiding Eyes for the Blind, or GEB, is a nonprofit guide dog school committed to “providing the blind and visually impaired with superior Guiding Eyes dogs, training, and lifetime support services.”

My family and I have volunteered for GEB throughout the past six years, working with a total of 24 puppies thus far. We participate in the Home Socialization Program, where families “provide puppies with exposure to the sights and sounds of a household for a few days.” A typical socialization experience involves feeding, walking, massaging, crating, and playing with the puppies. The purpose behind this program is to introduce the puppies into new environments and familiarize them with different people.

Our most recent volunteer experience was just two weeks ago when my parents and I socialized three German Shepherd puppies: Peyton, Pasha and Pageant. 

These puppies were only nine weeks old, yet their loyalty and reliability were already recognizable. The Guiding Eyes dogs are nothing short of remarkable; “it costs upwards of $45,000 to breed, raise, train, and match each dog with its handler.”

There are endless volunteer opportunities for those who are interested in helping support the GEB. To become a Home Socializer, all you need to do is complete an online application and attend an orientation to learn about puppy care. GEB provides all of the food and equipment necessary for the visit; the only thing for you to do is devote love and attention to each puppy. If you would like to volunteer for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, fill out an application today!

Meghan

Towels.  Sunscreen.  Sunhat.  Bathing suit.  Biodegradable trash bags.  CHECK!  Seems like a normal packing list for a weekend beach excursion until you notice that trash bags have found their way onto the list.  Whereas many beachgoers wish their fellow terry-clothed neighbors took the time to clean up (two words for clean up when used as a verb) after themselves at the beach, more often than not we’ve all left something behind for someone else to find.  Back to that thought in a moment…

My first beach love lies on the shores of Ocean Beach, Fire Island in New York, where as a toddler I took my first steps and now as an adult, continue to visit for memorable weekend jaunts.  I will confidently share that I’d prefer to visit any shore than the mountains no matter the history, the hotel or epicurean delight that may tempt me into the forest.  Spending time at the beach is something I look forward to all year long.

So, imagine my joy and delight upon learning that as part of the Barefoot Wine team at Hunter Public Relations, I would take part in an entire summer-long series of beach cleanups this summer during the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project! Though my team has been keeping beaches Barefoot-friendly for the last 4 years with support from the Surfrider Foundation, it is still a brand new undertaking for me.  So, I couldn’t have been happier or more enthusiastic about a trip to Rockaway Beach, New York two weekends ago for the kick off.

The weatherman called for rain but it turned out to be a fantastic, super sunny day for a cleanup.  More than 100 beach cleanup volunteers (including many fellow Hunter PR staff members, along with my sister, mom and helpful husband) joined up for a Saturday afternoon complete with picking up trash from beside the shore.   Following the cleanup we toasted everyone’s efforts with glasses of Barefoot Wine + Bubbly and a live music performance by Eric Hutchinson.  As the summer sun set, we high-fived each other’s efforts knowing that come Monday morning, we’d have a slight sunburn on our noses and shoulders as we start planning for the 20 additional cleanups taking place from now through October. 

Next time you see me at the beach, you can rest assured that this beach gal will have a bag in tow for trash to stow.

Check out the schedule and join us on the beach this summer!

Sarina

It's about time- the SNOWPOCALYPSE of 2010 is behind New York City and hopefully we can look forward to bright sunny days on the horizon. This past winter has been brutal, but thanks to New York City Clothing Bank, hundreds of individuals across the five boroughs of NYC have been clothed with new, never-worn clothing. Since February, Hunter Public Relations has been fundraising for the New York City Clothing Bank via Facebook- for every fan that Hunter PR gets on Facebook through March 31, we are donating $1 to this worthy organization.

To continue raising funds, our staffers hit the pavement last Friday to give away 800 spring flowers throughout Manhattan. Attached to the flowers were tags describing our Facebook fundraising efforts, with a special announcement of a double donation ($2) for every new fan through March 31. From Madison Avenue to Union Square, Herald Square and Grand Central Station, Hunter PR staffers handed out flowers to celebrate the first day of spring and continue to raise awareness for the New York City Clothing Bank.

Please take this time to become a Hunter PR Facebook fan and help us help others. Our Facebook page provides insights into the ever-changing world of PR & social media, our company culture as well as job opportunities. We thank you for your continued support of NYC Clothing Bank, and hopefully together we can really make a difference.

Best,

Danny

It’s been a rough winter across the country.  Temperatures in New York City have been extremely cold recently.  With snow blowing in my face as I walk to and from the subway, I’m just happy to have plenty of warm clothes!  Sadly, not all New Yorkers are as fortunate.

Thankfully, there is an organization in New York City that provides new, never-worn clothing to New Yorkers in need.  It’s called the New York City Clothing Bank and our agency has been helping them by providing pro bono PR services for the past few years.  With recent reports that charitable donations are on the decline, we decided to take our partnership to the next level and host a virtual fundraiser.

We need your help, but it’s free and easy!

From now through March 31^st, Hunter PR will donate $1 to NYC Clothing Bank for every person that becomes a fan of our Facebook page (up to $5,000).  We want to harness the power of social media to spread the word about the great work done by the NYC Clothing Bank – and meet some new friends/fans along the way. 

In addition to distributing warm-weather apparel to the needy, NYC Clothing Bank also provides disaster relief.  It is now responding to the recent crisis in Haiti by donating winter clothing to Haitian refugees who are being relocated to NYC.

Our timeline is short, but our motivation is high!  We need your support throughout our campaign – please, become a fan, and tell your friends and family too!

On behalf of Hunter PR and the NYC Clothing Bank, many thanks!

Danny Palestine

Last week, a 7.0 earthquake struck Port-Au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, leaving a drastic wave of destruction throughout the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. Casualty estimates have been difficult to determine, but some are saying up to 100,000 people can be presumed dead, and just as many injured. Watching the aftermath and taking in the devastation in Haiti, many are wondering how they can efficiently and effectively help those in need. Ian Rodgers, a senior emergency adviser for Save the Children, said "It is very possible, that the situation can go from dire to absolutely catastrophic if we don't get enough food, medicine and work with children and their families to help them." The following are a series of excellent options in which to donate to help the earthquake victims of Haiti.

Texting options:

Texting is quick and simple and allows you to immediately donate money to earthquake relief.

·      Text Haiti to 90999 to make a $10 donation or text Yele to 501501 to make a $5 donation. Yele Haiti is a foundation established by Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti, that helps people in Haiti on a continual basis. However, he established the texting campaign on Tuesday evening to help with the earthquake relief, and it has since gone viral making it the largest disaster relief texting campaign in history.

Larger Monetary Donations:

There are numerous funds that have started or organizations that are reaching out to help Haiti with disaster relief. The following are some great options.

·      Yele Haiti 

·      Feed the Children 

·      The American Red Cross

·      UNICEF

·      Doctors without Borders

·      World Vision

Airlines and Hotels:

Airlines and hotels are letting rewards members donate mileage or points in order to donate money to relief. Many are participating but the following are some examples.

·      For instance Starwood Hotels is letting frequent guests at its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, W and St. Regis hotels use 4,000 Starpoints to make a $50 donation to the American Red Cross.

·      United Airlines is also letting members of its Mileage Plus program donate miles to the Red Cross. On its "Support Haiti Earthquake Relief" Web site, the airline said as of 3 p.m. that 730,000 miles had been donated through this program.

There are plenty of ways to help so find an organization or method that best suits your preference and reach out to those in need.  Today and in the days to come the people in Haiti will need support from people around the world. Every little bit counts!

Dominic