“We’re again donating $25,000 in free public relations and newswire services to worthy non-profit and charitable organizations to celebrate our 29th anniversary,” said Neotrope founder and CEO, Christopher Laird Simmons. “With this expansion, we’ve now added $25,000 in online marketing services to the program for the first time. This new component gives the grant recipients far more visibility online by running their advertising in ROS campaigns on our news network; we will even create banners for the recipients if they don’t already have them.”

The Neotrope News Network includes news and entertainment portals like eNewsChannels.com. CaliforniaNewswire.com, MusicIndustryNewswire.com and many others, generating up to 10 million page views per month. The Neotrope News Network is being completely “rebooted” in 2012, and existing sites are being upgraded for a Q1/2012 brand re-launch, and integration of the PR grant recipient advertising is being integrated from the ground up during the redesign process.

Neotrope previously donated services as part of its Non-Profit PR Grants Program in 2011, 2009, 2005 and 2000. In 2010, Neotrope “adopted” various charities in lieu of providing the PR Grant program, and has provided discounted or free services to various non-profits for almost 30 years. Neotrope’s Send2Press(R) Newswire service provides the online news dissemination component of the grants program for getting press releases in front of interested media.

Past recipients of the Non-Profit PR Grant Program include Children Awaiting Parents, Girls Write Now, Paws of Life Foundation, Special Equestrians, The Bob Moog Foundation, The Starlight Children’s Foundation, The Native Voices Foundation, World Savvy, and many others.

“Neotrope has played an important role in our success in the last couple years,” said Dana Mortenson, Executive Director, World Savvy. “The Neotrope PR Service Grant in 2009 was tremendously helpful in a critical year of our growth. With Neotrope’s help spreading the word for our youth engagement programs, we were able to engage more than 6,000 youth and 1,100 educators in our programs during the 2009-2010 school year.”

“Neotrope has done more to raise our profile than we could have ever imagined, and we thoroughly enjoyed working with them,” said Tammy Westney, Executive Director, Special Equestrians.

How to Apply for 2012 Grant Program:

Non-profit organizations may apply online through January 15, 2012. Organizations will be selected by January 30, 2012, and the amount donated to each selected non-profit will vary, but typically $2,500 in PR services per recipient plus the additional online marketing/advertising component (total value approximately $5,000 per recipient; this is not a cash grant). Two of the grants will be provided to California-based non-profits, who will receive additional promotional assistance through California Newswire(R). Additionally, all 501(c)(3) organizations automatically qualify for a 15% service discount.

The 2012 Neotrope PR Grant application for U.S. based IRS recognized 501(c)3 charitable non-profits can be found at http://www.Send2Press.com/non-profit/index.shtml .

About Neotrope:

Since 1983, Neotrope (www.neotrope.com) has been helping small-to-medium businesses, non-profits, and entertainment companies establish their brand and grow revenue. Neotrope was an Inc. 5000 listed company in 2009. The Neotrope(R) marketing team includes Christopher Laird Simmons, who is an award-winning designer, photographer, musician and digital artist. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and ASCAP. Simmons has been widely interviewed by publications as diverse as Entrepreneur, Chicago Post Tribune, Medical Office Front Desk Pro, Monster com, Nutraceuticals World, PCWorld, Produce Merchandising, and TrendWatch. He has written for a number of national print publications including Digital Imaging, Print on Demand Business, the Graphic Artists Guild newsletter, and he sold his first article in 1984 to Polyphony (now Electronic Musician). Other team members include accredited public relations professionals, working journalists and SEO experts.

About Send2Press Newswire:

Send2Press(R) offers best-in-class affordable Direct-to-Editors(TM) news distribution and alternative placement of news content to improve its “persistence” versus the traditional one-shot approach. In addition to sending news directly to working journalists, print and broadcast media, Send2Press places news into social networks and deep into search engines using proprietary ContextEngine(TM) press release optimization technology developed in 1997. Originally launched as MindsetNetwire in 1997 exclusively for Neotrope’s corporate clients, the service became Send2Press in 2000. Send2Press is unique because it was the first wire service with staff entirely comprised of accredited public relations professionals, published authors, working journalists, and marketing experts.

Neotrope(R) is a registered trademark and service mark in the U.S. and Europe. Send2Press and California Newswire are registered service marks of Neotrope. All rights reserved.

Additional background information:

2012 NonProfit PR Grants Announcement:
http://send2pressnewswire.com/2011/11/15/s2p5475_210056.php .

2011 PR Grants Announcement:
http://send2pressnewswire.com/2011/01/07/s2p4053_125309.php .

2009 PR Grants Recipient announcement:
http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2008-12-1212-001.shtml .

2009 PR Grants announcement:
http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2008-10-1001-001.shtml .

2005 PR Grants announcement:
http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2005-01-0128-002.shtml .

2000 PR Grants announcement:
http://www.neotrope.com/text/news_PR_00-0802.shtml .

Copyright © 2011 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

When their baby was born they were told he was exhibiting Infantile Spasms, a specific type of seizure seen in an epilepsy syndrome of infancy and childhood.

The Torescos worked with local neurologists in search of answers. But standard approaches were not showing success. Frustrated, Kristina located one of the nation’s top epileptologists in Detroit. The baby was immediately flown to Children’s Hospital of Michigan. His MRI and electroencephalograms were inconclusive, but a PET Scan (positron emission tomography) provided a clear diagnosis: focal cortical dysphasia (FCD). FCD is a congenital abnormality where the neurons in an area of the brain misfire leading to seizures.

Dominick, now 14, has shown enormous courage in dealing with his epilepsy. The Torescos considers themselves blessed with his resolve and success.

“We have come so far from where we were,” said Kristina. “And we’re grateful to the various medical teams. But you have to be your child’s advocate and seek a protocol that is best for your situation. I continue to research for any advancement and consult with experts.”

Through the efforts of the Torescos and their family of auto dealerships with the support of manufacturers and vendors, substantial funds have been raised to promote the National Epilepsy Foundation’s “Get Seizure Smart” campaign. The efforts will continue.

“People think of epilepsy as something that can easily be controlled with medication,” said Dominick Toresco, Sr. “In certain cases it does happen. But our son is proof that it’s vital to explore every avenue. There is no cure. But research can make a difference. We have seen vast improvements in our son’s life. But there is still much we don’t know.”

More than 3 million people in the U.S. have epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation’s Web site (www.epilepsyfoundation.org) is the Internet’s most comprehensive and authoritative source for information about seizure disorders. The organization provides a nationwide information service at (800) 332-1000, staffed by professionals who respond to caller questions.

Copyright © 2010 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Empty boxes were collected from Brooke Army Medical Center located at 3851 Roger Brook Drive in San Antonio, Texas, and were set up in the front lobby of the San Antonio office. “I passed out flyers to neighboring businesses and homes and we had a pretty good response,” said Rios. “Posters and flyers along with Marines themselves were available to help promote this campaign.”

The Toys for Tots program, like Financial Foundation Group, continues to play an active role in the growth of our children. The toys were collected and distributed to children and families on December 22, 2009, just in time for the Christmas holiday.

The management of the Financial Foundation Group is also registered representatives with and offer securities through NEXT Financial Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Foundation Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, inc. NEXT is a national full service Broker/Dealer offering investment, retirement and insurance products and services which allows their representatives to offer financial products to suit each individual client’s needs.

The knowledgeable staff at FFG has access to a wide array of investment products and can provide assistance with life insurance choices and providing wealth building strategies.

The company’s Web site, www.FinancialFoundationGroup.com has current market information and summaries for clients to review. It also provides breaking financial news along with top headlines and stories.

“We want to have a positive impact on the community both as professionals and as neighbors,” said Leanna Cappucci, Executive Director with the Financial Foundation Group. “Supporting the U.S. Marines and the community through our toy drive is about much more than toys, it provides hope and encouragement to children here in Tampa, and after all, they are our tomorrow.”

The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to assist the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. The primary goal of the Foundation is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The Marines, together with the help of organizations like the Financial Foundation Group, are helping less fortunate children throughout communities across the U.S. experience the joy of Christmas, and are playing an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children.

In 2002, the Financial Foundation Group through an affiliated company opened its doors with just three people. FFG has experienced a phenomenal growth rate over the past few years and today they have grown to have 5 offices and approximately 100 people affiliated with the organization.

“Our company has grown tremendously due to our dedication to helping others,” Mr. Heinzelman, a Senior Partner at Financial Foundation Group explains. “We want continue our community involvement in every area where we have an office.”

The management of the Financial Foundation Group is also registered representatives with and offer securities through NEXT Financial Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Foundation Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, inc. NEXT is a national full service Broker/Dealer offering investment, retirement and insurance products and services which allows their representatives to offer financial products to suit each individual client’s needs.

The knowledgeable staff at FFG has access to a wide array of investment products and can provide assistance with life insurance choices and providing wealth building strategies.

The company’s Web site, FinancialFoundationGroup.com, has current market information and summaries for clients to review. It also provides breaking financial news headlines and stories.

For more company information, visit: www.FinancialFoundationGroup.com .

“It was so rewarding to be able to help make the kids holiday season brighter with decorations for their hospital rooms,” Melissa Bowman, Executive Director of FFG explains. “Some children were unable to come down from their rooms so their sibling came for them. The parents were so grateful and the kids seemed entertained and excited to be able to do crafts.”

All of FFG’s employees put their heads together for ideas that would be easy and fun for the hospitalized children to make. There were four different stations including reindeer making, ornament decorations, stockings to hang on the tree, and a snow man coloring station. The stockings were the biggest hit with the children!

In 2002, the Financial Foundation Group, through an affiliated company, opened its doors with just three people. FFG has experienced a phenomenal growth rate over the past few years and today they have grown to have 5 offices, with the newest office being opened by Chris Shanahan, who started here in Denver, and FFG now has approximately 100 people affiliated with the organization.

“As a company I feel we are able to continue to grow because of the dedication our employees and clients have to making it a bright future, no matter what troubles our economy faces. It is so exciting for us to be able to add value to people’s life both in and out of the office,” Mrs. Bowman adds.

The management of the Financial Foundation Group is made up of registered representatives who offer securities through NEXT Financial Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Foundation Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, Inc. NEXT is a national full service Broker/Dealer. NEXT representatives offer their clients investment, retirement, and insurance products and services that suit each individual client’s needs.

The knowledgeable staff at FFG has access to a wide array of investment products and can provide assistance with life insurance choices and providing wealth building strategies.

The company’s Web site, FinancialFoundationGroup.com, has current market information and summaries for clients to review. It also provides breaking financial news headlines and stories.

For more company information, visit: www.FinancialFoundationGroup.com .

“Volunteering in the community is always rewarding,” said Nate Harmon, Executive Director of FFG – San Antonio. “The Special Olympics organization provides so many activities for the athletes, its fun to see them succeed.”

The bowling tournament began November 11, 2009, with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. followed by the competition. The athletes were divided into teams of 3 and were given team and individual rewards.

Each quarter Financial Foundation Group-San Antonio dedicates its time to a community service event. This year’s Special Olympics tournament included hundreds of athletes, family members and volunteers. FFG will volunteer in the upcoming Special Olympics basketball tournament scheduled for February 2010.

The management of the Financial Foundation Group is also registered representatives with and offer securities through NEXT Financial Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Foundation Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, Inc. NEXT is a national full service Broker/Dealer offering investment, retirement and insurance products and services which allows their representatives to offer financial products to suit each individual client’s needs.

The knowledgeable staff at FFG has access to a wide array of investment products and can provide assistance with life insurance choices and providing wealth building strategies.

The company’s Web site, www.FinancialFoundationGroup.com has current market information and summaries for clients to review. It also provides breaking financial news along with top headlines and stories.

“We deeply feel rewarded for helping others as a main part of what we do,” Aryn B. Goldman, Executive Director and Partner with Financial Foundation Group says, “and even though we weren’t able to meet the kids we were helping, we could tell from the hundreds of bicycles that hundreds of smiles were just around the corner.”

Individual and groups donated new and used bicycles to this year’s Bikes for Tykes. Lee’s Cyclery, The Phoenix Cyclery, Breakaway Cycles and The Trek Shop safety-checked and refurbished the bicycles to ensure safe riding for each recipient, and the members of Realities For Children provided brand new helmets to each youth at the event.

Each December, the members of Realities for Children partner with Bikes for Tykes to provide helmets and bicycles to local children who have been abused, neglected, or are at-risk for abuse and neglect. This was the 14th annual Bikes for Tykes and with nearly 500 bikes, was the largest one ever organized in Fort Collins.

Financial Foundation Group, like Realities for Children, believes in creating opportunity for individuals. “We believe our company has grown by leaps and bounds due to our dedication to helping our clients achieve their goals,” Ken Perrin, Senior Partner with FFG explains. “Encouraging our clients as well as having our offices focus on helping their community is what we call success.”

The management of the Financial Foundation Group is made up of registered representatives who offer securities through NEXT Financial Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Foundation Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, Inc. NEXT is a national full service Broker/Dealer. NEXT representatives offer their clients investment, retirement, and insurance products and services that suit each individual client’s needs.

The knowledgeable staff at FFG has access to a wide array of investment products and can provide assistance with life insurance choices and providing wealth building strategies.

The company’s web site, FinancialFoundationGroup.com, has current market information and summaries for clients to review. It also provides breaking financial news.

For more company information, visit: www.FinancialFoundationGroup.com .

“We wanted to come up with a fun way of generating funds for the United Way, so we decided to allow our clients to pick the price they want to pay as their per registrant fee,” Explains Jim Romanik, President at ePly Services Inc. “This past year has been difficult for many event planners and charities; by allowing our clients to pick their price with a portion going to the United Way they can feel good knowing they will be supporting their local community.”

“The United Way has many chapters across the U.S. and Canada. This makes the impact of our client’s generosity that much greater as they can contribute to their local chapter,” adds Jim. To learn more about how you can help your local United Way through this promotion visit www.eply.com/pick-your-price .

About ePly: ePly has been providing online event registration software to their clients since 2001. ePly’s registration software was developed to assist event planners in their registration process for events, conferences, meetings, tradeshows etc. For more information on ePly’s online registration software, visit www.eply.com .

About the United Way: United Way supports vulnerable people and works to prevent social problems. It’s priority for United Way to provide hope and opportunity for children and seniors. United Way leads change in the Lower Mainland region by understanding social issues through research and dialogue; bringing together partners and coordinating action; influencing public attitudes, systems and policy; measuring community change and evaluating investments.

“This program is about making lasting relationships in the community and supporting our local youth,” said Bob McClain from Tireman Auto Service Centers. “Contributing to The Pacesetter Soccer Club through a larger youth movement gives us a great sense of accomplishment. The program is an opportunity to connect with the community and we are delighted to see the players’ smiling faces when they receive their soccer ball.”

“This grassroots initiative started originally with 200 dealers and has become a huge success,” said Jill Weninger Goulette, Uniroyal Tire marketing communications manager. “With 10 years of commitment and hard work, the program has grown to include over 1,000 passionate dealers like Tireman Auto Service Centers throughout North America. Bringing value and quality to families is what Uniroyal Tire strives for, and the soccer program enables us to do so in an unmatched way.”

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the program, Uniroyal is also giving away a soccer ball every day in 2009. Each daily winner will be entered into the Soccer Season Survival Giveaway for a grand prize of the top ten things needed for a great soccer season, including a $500 gas card, a set of Uniroyal tires, a GPS system, a video recorder and more. To enter, or to get more details, go to www.UniroyalTires.com/sweeps.

Uniroyal(R) Tire is one of the world’s leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw(R) and Laredo(R) series. Uniroyal tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry’s leading warranties.

Established in 1948, Tireman Auto Service Centers is locally owned and provides complete automotive service and a wide choice of replacement tires. Tireman has 15 locations in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

To learn more about the Uniroyal Soccer Program, visit the brand’s Web site at www.UniroyalTires.com.

To learn more about Tireman Auto Service Centers, please call Bob McClain, 419-842-8473 at 3159 King Road in Toledo, or visit www.thetireman.com.

M2SYS enabled Bwindi Hospital to immediately integrate and implement a seamless biometrics system, including a high-performance fingerprint identification engine. Previously, Bwindi Community Hospital used manual procedures to identify patients, allowing for severe health hazard individuals to be misidentified and opened the facility up to fraudulent activities. Hospital goers will now be identified by scanning their fingerprint, after scanning their medical records and history will be automatically displayed.

“Bio-Plugin(TM) was rated high by customers who previously used the technology. When contacted, M2SYS generously decided to donate the product free-of-charge as this technology was too expensive for us to implement,” commented Wence Benda, IT Technician of Bwindi Community Hospital. “This technology certainly saves us a lot of time and energy with patients, and ensures smooth operation in the facility.”

“We are proud to help out Bwindi Hospital, as they deserved embracing this new technology into their hospital to strengthen their activities with patients and the facility itself,” Michael Trader, President of M2SYS stated. “M2SYS believes that now Bwindi can utilize this technology and move further ahead towards helping people get the best medication, eliminating misidentifications,” he commented.

About M2SYS Technology

M2SYS Technology, www.m2sys.com, is a recognized industry leader in fingerprint identity management technology, delivering a wide range of customized, fully functional, turn-key fingerprint software solutions for businesses and consumers. M2SYS Technology was awarded the prestigious Frost and Sullivan Biometric Technology Innovation of the Year award in 2007.

About Bwindi Community Hospital

Bwindi Community Hospital www.bwindihospital.com is a Church of Uganda Hospital located in the village of Buhoma close to the northern entrance of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas. It is run by a Management Committee of staff, and overseen by a Board of Governors.