Category : Communitas Awards

2014 Communitas Awards Spotlight: Desmond Hunt

Communitas Awards Individual: Desmond Hunt
Title: “Technology Reaches Out”
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Category: 1.5 Individual Participation

Desmond HuntDesmond Hunt lives by the motto, “The more you give, the more you receive.”

So in 2007 when Pastor Maxwell Berkel at Mt. Zion Seventh-Day Adventist in Kissimmee, Florida, asked Hunt, owner and CEO of video production company Hunt Productions, to start a technology ministry, the videographer didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge that offered no compensation.

Mt. Zion’s pastor envisioned a program that would help the youth at the church stay out of trouble, learn new aspects of technology and contribute to the worship service. Hunt, who sees the project as a “privilege” and a “blessing,” turned this vision into a reality.

Three months into the project, there were 39 active members spending a couple hours every Saturday night learning the ins and outs of camera operations, technical directing, operating the multimedia equipment and green screen technology. They then used their skills to help with the weekly broadcast of the service. Since the start seven years ago, the ministry has been running strong.

Hunt is grateful for the opportunity to share his passion with the youth at his church and play a positive role in their lives. “When young people know someone cares and is there, it makes a difference in the way they act, how they interact with others, and how they plan for the future,” Hunt said.

Mt. Zion Technology MinistryThe videographer certainly made a positive impact, as parents noticed constructive changes in their children’s attitudes, better interpersonal skills and improved grades, among other things.

Why did Hunt choose to work with his community’s youth? His upbringing motivates him.

“I did not have a mentor while growing up, and this is the reason why I want to make a difference,” Hunt shared. “I wish I had this type of ministry to join and mold me so life would not have been so tough. The youth need dedicated adults – this is why I give back.”

And Hunt’s involvement with Mt. Zion’s young congregants extends outside of the training and participation in the technology ministry.

Besides mentoring and answering questions about life the members might have, Hunt hosts an annual gathering at his home the Saturday before Christmas that both current and past ministry members attend. While everyone enjoys the fellowship, Hunt makes time for the former members to give a quick talk about how technology has positively impacted their lives and encourage the current members to stay in school and listen to their parents so life’s journey will be more productive with positive results..

*****

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2014 Communitas Awards: Jennifer Connelly Public Relations

Company: Jennifer Connelly Public Relations Title: “A Day in the Life” Location: New York Category: 6. Making A Difference Jennifer Connelly Interactive Productions, the production company of Jennifer Connelly Public Relations, created a pro bono video that takes viewers inside the lives of four families impacted by the work of Easter Seals New York, a […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: Leaping Cowgirl Productions

Company: Leaping Cowgirl Productions Ltd. Title: “Absolute Favourite Fan Youth TV Show” Location: Calgary, Alberta Category: 1.1 Company Sponsored Volunteer Project Five years ago something inside Coralie Braum snapped. She was on a shopping trip with her eight-year-old granddaughter when she saw something unexpected: push-up bras in the little girls’ section of a department store. […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: Energy Federation Inc.

Company: Energy Federation Inc. Title: “EFI Sustainable Practices” Location: Westborough, Massachusetts Category: 7.2 Green Initiatives In 1982 six nonprofit energy organizations created Energy Federation, Inc., to help the member groups and other organizations economically purchase quality conservation products. EFI’s mission as stated in its 2014 Communitas Awards entry is “to encourage people to use our […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: Victaulic

Company: Victaulic Title: “Joining Communities” Location: Easton, Pennsylvania Category: 10. Leadership in Community Service and Corporate Social Responsibility Victaulic, world leader and innovator of grooved mechanical couplings, joins more than pipes; the company connects communities around the world. The organization’s corporate responsibility statement sums up their mission nicely: Victaulic “aims to be a good neighbor […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: TIC – The Industrial Company

Company: TIC – The Industrial Company Title: “Overall Company Contributions to Our Communities” Location: Englewood, Colorado Category: 5. Community Service Active in many places, TIC’s community contributions are many. In 2013, the direct-hire, heavy industrial contractor donated more than $210,000 to organizations and families around the world. Let’s start with the TIC Cup, an annual […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: Reliv International

Company: Reliv International, Inc. Title: “2013 Reliv Week of Caring” Location: Chesterfield, Missouri Category: 1.1 Company-Sponsored Volunteer Project In 2009 Reliv designated five workdays as its first “Week of Caring” to focus on giving back to nonprofits in the St. Louis area, where its international headquarters are located. During the Week of Caring, the nutrition […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: One Vision Productions

Company: One Vision Productions Title: “Helping to Change Lives” Location: Clarkston, Georgia Category: 3. Leadership in Skills-Based Community Service When Forrest Tuff started his multimedia production company, One Vision Productions, in 2004, there was no doubt that the studio would be involved in the community. The entrepreneur feels a moral obligation to prepare children for […]

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2014 Communitas Awards: Solstice Benefits

Company: Solstice Benefits Title: “Solstice Benefits: Insuring Life’s Happiest Moments” Location: Plantation, Florida Category: 1.1 Company-Sponsored Volunteer Project Not only was Solstice Benefits a sponsor of the 2013 Broward Heart Walk benefitting the American Heart Association but the dental, vision and life insurance provider skyrocketed past its fundraising goal of $15,000, collecting more than $26,000 […]

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Feb. 1 Last Day For Free Communitas Entry

Get Recognized for Your Community Involvement Feb. 1 is the last day to get a free nomination for the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals’ 2014 Communitas Awards. Additional nominations can be made for the usual fees. Communitas Awards recognizes exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources, and those that are changing […]

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