Thursday, July 25, 2013

Grilling with the Governor

    Grilling With the Governor was a success! After a month of planning, guests arrived at the historic Alabama Governor's Mansion for a hot dog cook-out. Although storms prevented everyone from enjoying the outdoors, they were accommodated inside the house with tables topped with quilts, wildflowers, and candles. The dining room table was used as a buffet and showcased some of Alabama's best products. Zeigler donated hot dogs, and Conecuh Sausage Company donated sausages. The King's Table catering provided buns, Golden Flake donated individual bags of chips, Dreamland BBQ gave their slaw, and Jim 'N Nick's delivered baked beans. There was also a dessert bar that featured Blue Bell Ice Cream, Bud's Best Cookies, and toppings from Winn Dixie.
    Governor Bentley was responsible for grilling but he finished in time to greet all of his guests alongside Mrs. Bentley. Karren Pell and her band provided entertainment and door prizes were given away.
    It was a special evening and one that the Bentley's hope to recreate in the future. They thoroughly enjoyed hosting the public and reminding them that although they do live in the Governor's Mansion it is the "people's house."
    This event was sponsored by the Friends of the Alabama Governor's Mansion.



Wednesday, July 17, 2013

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS PARTNERS WITH FIRST LADY DIANNE BENTLEY TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN ALABAMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       

July 16, 2013                                                              


Department Donates Confiscated Phones to HopeLine® from Verizon
MONTGOMERY, AL Through an initiative spearheaded by First Lady Dianne Bentley, the Alabama Department of Corrections has donated more than 4,000 phones confiscated from inmates to HopeLine from Verizon, a phone recycling program that turns no-longer used wireless devices into support for organizations working to help reduce the incidence of domestic violence and assist victims.
            First Lady Bentley, who supports the cause of domestic violence awareness and prevention through a number of initiatives, first learned of HopeLine in early 2012 and challenged Governor Robert Bentley’s cabinet members to collect phones for the cause. In just one month, the First Lady raised 2,500 phones, due in large part to a significant donation from the Department of Corrections, which had previously disposed of cell phones confiscated from inmates. Since then, the Department has continued to donate confiscated phones to HopeLine.
            The Department of Corrections donated approximately 2,500 phones to HopeLine in 2012 and has contributed 1,553 phones so far this year.
            "The Alabama Department of Corrections is pleased to support the First Lady's efforts around such a worthy cause," Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas said.  "Cell phones in a prison setting are a real danger as contraband.  We diligently battle their illegal use and are glad to donate them to such a productive cause and to assist the First Lady.  This is just one of the many positive things we do on a daily basis."
            Wireless phones given to HopeLine are refurbished and sold for reuse, generating grant dollars for nonprofit organizations to help fund education, support services and community outreach. Refurbished phones – complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service and text-messaging service – are provided to local domestic violence agencies or local law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.
            Verizon has provided HopeLine grants to organizations across the state including the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence as well as many of its member shelters, the North Alabama Crisis Services Center, Montgomery’s One Place Family Justice Center and the Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention in Dothan among others.
            “This incredible collaboration between First Lady Bentley and the Alabama Department of Corrections has generated a substantial volume of phone donations and therefore new resources for Alabama non-profits working to reduce the incidence of domestic violence,” said Jonathan LeCompte, president – Georgia/Alabama region, Verizon Wireless. “We applaud both the First Lady and the Department of Corrections for this innovative way to be a part of community change.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kate Jay
Verizon Wireless
678-339-4828
Kate.Jay@VerizonWireless.com
Follow me on Twitter @VZWkate  

                                                                                   
Brian Corbett
Alabama Department of Corrections
334-353-4053
Brian.corbett@doc.alabama.gov


About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 98.9 million retail customers, including 93.2 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.  

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Grill With the Governor on July 23, 2013


Grill with the Governor
Event to benefit the Governor’s Mansion
By Diane Christy, Friends of the Alabama Governor's Mansion
 

Governor and Mrs. Robert Bentley will host a casual summer cookout on the Governor’s Mansion grounds on Tuesday, July 23, 6:00-8:00 pm, with the Governor himself doing the honors at the BBQ grill.

The public is invited to meet the Bentleys and to take a tour of the Mansion while enjoying traditional picnic fare.  Children are welcome and special activities are planned for them.

Grill with the Governor is a benefit for the Friends of the Alabama Governor’s Mansion (FOAGM).  FOAGM is a non-profit organization which helped pass the First Lady Dianne Bentley Mansion Preservation Act in June 2011.  The legislation created a state agency to protect the integrity of the Mansion Complex.  The Friends are not only engaged in fund-raising, but also with the development of interior design, acquisitions and collection restoration plans for this historic home. The Friends work closely with the Mansion Authority to carry out these plans.

Mrs. Bentley has been tremendously supportive of the Friends and deeply involved in their current and projected improvements to the Mansion. 

Tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for children under 12.  They can be purchased through the Governor’s Mansion Gift Shop at 30 Finley Avenue. 

 

 
Friends of the Alabama Governor’s Mansion is an all-volunteer statewide non-profit organization.