For Immediate Release
October 22, 2007
Contact:
Linda McGregor, Director
805-544-6016
www.slohotline.org
Local Marketing Firms Team Up in 211 Community
Outreach Program
Verdin Marketing Ink and
S. Lombardi & Associates
unite for important
cause
San Luis Obispo, CA –211 SLOHotline,
a nonprofit referral and crisis line, is bringing two local marketing
firms together to launch their countywide 2-1-1 service. S. Lombardi & Associates
(SLA) and Verdin Marketing Ink (VMI) have joined forces to create and
implement Hotline’s community outreach campaign surrounding the
2-1-1 service’s
introduction into San Luis Obispo County. Though an unusual collaboration,
the two firms felt it was in the best interest of the program to combine
efforts for such a large, and needed, community outreach program.
“We are fortunate to have the joint services of Verdin Marketing Ink and S. Lombardi & Associates,” said Hotline Board President Tim Williams. “Bringing together two of the best creative agencies in the area will really allow us to put forth an effective program in the launch of such an important service to our community.”
The two firms have already begun in the initial stages of marketing and public relations for the 2-1-1 launch slated to begin in November, including community awareness and volunteer outreach. According to both VMI President Mary Verdin and SLA President Steve Lombardi, 2-1-1 is a critical community service and they are excited to be working together on the project. Verdin and Lombardi have often collaborated on events for their shared Rotary Club and feel their strengths are complementary.
SLO Hotline, the 38-year-old crisis and information service, has been working with State of California agencies to bring the local service into the certified 2-1-1 group.
2-1-1 is the free, accessible, three-digit telephone number linking vital community services to the people who need them, 24-hours a day. Hotline is an information hub that provides easy access to more than 500 health and human service programs and support groups, as well as round-the-clock connections to caring, compassionate listeners, all at no cost to the caller. To date, about 165 million Americans and over half of Californians have access to 2-1-1 as a convenient support line.
For more information regarding 2-1-1 SLO Hotline, please contact the business office at 544-6016 or visit the website at www.slohotline.org.
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