Top 10 Ways We Made a Difference in 2011

Here are just ten of them:

1. The year began with a new campaign from the Office of Women’s Health, Make the Call, Don’t Miss A Beat, to educate and engage women to recognize the seven symptoms of a heart attack and to call 9-1-1 right away. Our launch efforts landed the campaign on the front page USA Today, on the TODAY Show, and all over the country and online. Campaign partners said it was the best campaign launch ever!  
2. A national discussion was sparked on the best and worst college majors, in terms of potential earnings, by the release of Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce’s study on the economic value of college majors.  We’ve promoted this conversation from both the education and the economic angles.
3. We love to dance, and had the opportunity to dance live on the White House lawn with First Lady Michelle Obama, where she did the “BBF” dance, a dance we designed to help girls build the Best Bones Forever! The girl-focused strong bones campaign’s great reach was recognized internationally when it won the Mercury Award for top non-profit campaign, and the Thoth Best Public Service Campaign Award.
4. To highlight the impact of the recession on American families, we managed the release of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book. It reached a potential audience of over 1.3 billion readers, viewers, and listeners; and was referenced by policymakers around the country and in Washington DC, on the House floor. This data helps make the case for policy that supports families.
5. When people are ready to make healthy changes in their lives, the National Diabetes Education Program’s  new Diabetes HealthSense has search features to help them quickly and easily find resources to put them on the right track; and we’re proud to promote it.
6. Hager Sharp’s Debra Silimeo participated in the Girl Scouts Camp CEO, which aims to help girls “dream their future” by meeting and networking with women leaders. Yes, they do camp out!
7. Hager Sharp supported a record number of releases from The National Assessment of Educational Progress, which many people know as “the Nation’s Report Card.” A report on state standards for student proficiency provided valuable information to parents, educators and policymakers on where their state sets the bar for achievement.  It helps answer the important question: Does your state measure up?
8. Hager Sharp’s Elizabeth Osborn was recognized as One of the PR News’ 15-to-Watch—thanks to her hard work promoting healthy living for women and girls. Among her accomplishments: bringing corporate partners to the table for the Best Bones Forever Let’s Dance Contest featuring Savvy, with a grand prize of a paid trip to California and a cameo in a music video.
9. In response to a Christmas Day fire that killed five people and in an effort to prevent future fire fatalities, we helped the U.S. Fire Administration promote fireplace safety. Promoting fire safety is a year-round cause; USFA’s public education efforts work to reduce home fires, fire deaths and injuries in the nation.
10. Instead of a Secret Santa office holiday exchange, Hager Sharp staff donated nearly 500 toiletry items to Thrive DC, which provides over 200 meals and supportive services each day to help homeless men and women end their homelessness and change their lives. This was our way to help Santa this year.