PRESS RELEASE: Local church will use “It’s OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas™” buttons and car magnets to raise money. (PHOTO AVAILABLE)
Media covering this story range from Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson, the Christian Broadcasting Network 700 Club and KLOVE – the National Christian Radio Network to the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.), WAVY TV-10 (Norfolk, VA), WRVA AM 1140 (Clear Channel, Richmond, VA), WTRM (Winchester, VA) and WVEC Channel 13 (Virginia Beach, VA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILLIAMSBURG, Va./October 29, 2009
The Redeemer Lutheran Church in Glendale, NY is partnering with the Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign to mobilize advocates energized for a return to the traditional, convivial greeting, bearing buttons that make a clear statement – “It’s OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas(TM) (http://www.wmamc.com)”. Over 200,000 of these buttons have been distributed nationally.
The church plans to sell the buttons to congregation members as well and the public and those who wish to use the buttons to spread the message of the true meaning of Christmas.
Pastor William Wrede of the Redeemer Lutheran Church says, “Jesus is the reason for the season. We are excited to celebrate the birth of Christ our Savoir.”
With over 500 buttons already distributed in New York in 2008, local store associates are likely to be presented with the opportunity to deviate from the corporate holiday wishing policy of top retailers like the Gap and Best Buy, and stealthily wish their customer “Merry Christmas” instead of the generic “Happy Holidays”. But since 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas (Gallup Poll, 2004), it’s likely that the store cashiers would prefer to wish their customers “Merry Christmas” as well. In fact 88% of Americans state that “It’s okay to wish ‘Merry Christmas’.” (Gallup Poll).
Said Campaign Manager, Ashley Tarter, “National retailers will hearken the public’s message that it is okay to wish, ‘Merry Christmas,’ once again. In the meanwhile local communities are being impacted by the message of the Campaign.”
The national Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign is appealing to retailers to “put Christmas back in the holidays” with two straightforward petitions:

• To actively retract adverse corporate holiday wishing policies, by returning to the traditional and explicit “Merry Christmas” phrase; and

• To restore use of the symbols, language and sounds of Christmas in in-store displays, signage and music, as well as in November and December advertising.

From Florida to Alaska and into Canada individuals and churches have purchased hundreds of thousands of the red and green, “It’s OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas,” ornament-like buttons to wear and share.

For more information, visit http://www.wmamc.com – the first letters in Wish Me A Merry Christmas, or contact Media Relations at 800-487-7137, option 4. Merry Christmas!

* Gallup Poll 2004, PDFs available at http://wmamc.com/millionbuttongoal/media.html

MEDIA: For further information, contact Ashley Tarter at 800-487-7137 ext. 709. Additional research content available via the MEDIA link at the Wish Me a Merry Christmas Campaign site, http://www.wmamc.com).
PHOTOS: http://wmamc.com/millionbuttongoal/media.html#images
CONTACTS:
Ashley Tarter
Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign
PO Box 5398
Williamsburg, VA 23188
PHONE. 800-487-7137 ext. 709
E-mail: atarter@wmamc.com
Pastor William Wrede
Redeemer Lutheran Church
(718) 902-8114
KEYWORDS: Christmas, Merry Christmas, Christmas Campaign, religion, social issues, Christmas button campaign, clergy, churches, Christmas, Holidays
SOURCE: Campaign for Christmas

PRESS RELEASE: Local church will use “It’s OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas™” buttons and car magnets to raise money. (PHOTO AVAILABLE)
Media covering this story range from Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson, the Christian Broadcasting Network 700 Club and KLOVE – the National Christian Radio Network to the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.), WAVY TV-10 (Norfolk, VA), WRVA AM 1140 (Clear Channel, Richmond, VA), WTRM (Winchester, VA) and WVEC Channel 13 (Virginia Beach, VA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILLIAMSBURG, Va./October 29, 2009
The Redeemer Lutheran Church in Glendale, NY is partnering with the Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign to mobilize advocates energized for a return to the traditional, convivial greeting, bearing buttons that make a clear statement – “It’s OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas(TM) (http://www.wmamc.com)”. Over 200,000 of these buttons have been distributed nationally.
The church plans to sell the buttons to congregation members as well and the public and those who wish to use the buttons to spread the message of the true meaning of Christmas.
Pastor William Wrede of the Redeemer Lutheran Church says, “Jesus is the reason for the season. We are excited to celebrate the birth of Christ our Savoir.”
With over 500 buttons already distributed in New York in 2008, local store associates are likely to be presented with the opportunity to deviate from the corporate holiday wishing policy of top retailers like the Gap and Best Buy, and stealthily wish their customer “Merry Christmas” instead of the generic “Happy Holidays”. But since 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas (Gallup Poll, 2004), it’s likely that the store cashiers would prefer to wish their customers “Merry Christmas” as well. In fact 88% of Americans state that “It’s okay to wish ‘Merry Christmas’.” (Gallup Poll).
Said Campaign Manager, Ashley Tarter, “National retailers will hearken the public’s message that it is okay to wish, ‘Merry Christmas,’ once again. In the meanwhile local communities are being impacted by the message of the Campaign.”
The national Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign is appealing to retailers to “put Christmas back in the holidays” with two straightforward petitions:

• To actively retract adverse corporate holiday wishing policies, by returning to the traditional and explicit “Merry Christmas” phrase; and

• To restore use of the symbols, language and sounds of Christmas in in-store displays, signage and music, as well as in November and December advertising.

From Florida to Alaska and into Canada individuals and churches have purchased hundreds of thousands of the red and green, “It’s OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas,” ornament-like buttons to wear and share.

For more information, visit http://www.wmamc.com – the first letters in Wish Me A Merry Christmas, or contact Media Relations at 800-487-7137, option 4. Merry Christmas!

* Gallup Poll 2004, PDFs available at http://wmamc.com/millionbuttongoal/media.html

MEDIA: For further information, contact Ashley Tarter at 800-487-7137 ext. 709. Additional research content available via the MEDIA link at the Wish Me a Merry Christmas Campaign site, http://www.wmamc.com).
PHOTOS: http://wmamc.com/millionbuttongoal/media.html#images
CONTACTS:
Ashley Tarter
Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign
PO Box 5398
Williamsburg, VA 23188
PHONE. 800-487-7137 ext. 709
E-mail: atarter@wmamc.com
Pastor William Wrede
Redeemer Lutheran Church
(718) 902-8114
KEYWORDS: Christmas, Merry Christmas, Christmas Campaign, religion, social issues, Christmas button campaign, clergy, churches, Christmas, Holidays
SOURCE: Campaign for Christmas

NEW YORK – September 1, 2009 – DigNet of New York City & Long Island, a non-profit organization that notifies operators of underground facilities of planned digging activity, announced today that it has changed its name. Formerly known as The New York City & Long Island One Call Center, DigNet is also unveiling a new logo and Web site address to better support its mission of educating excavators and homeowners of the importance of dialing 811 or 1-800-272-4480 before beginning any digging projects.

DigNet can now be found online at www.dignetnycli.com, and will soon unveil a new and improved Web site featuring detailed descriptions of all of DigNet’s services as well as information on safe digging practices and expanded resources for excavators and homeowners. Excavators are able to submit digging notifications and organizations are also able to request educational presentations from DigNet through the site.

“We’re hoping our new name and logo will be more recognizable, leading more people to remember to practice safe digging on their properties or job sites,” said Roger Sampson, president of the board of directors, DigNet. “Most importantly, we want everyone to understand that it is necessary to call DigNet anytime you dig, or else you run the risk of causing costly and hazardous damage to the underground lines in your area.”

Any work that requires mechanized excavation should merit a call to DigNet at least two working days before digging begins, including both professional construction projects as well as home renovation projects including installation of mailboxes, fences or swimming pools; landscaping and tree planting.

DigNet operates under the laws of New York State and Code 753 which is enforced by the Public Service Commission (PSC), all of which requires excavators to notify their local one call center prior to beginning any digging on a site. Failure to do so is punishable by fine. New York homeowners are not required by law to inform a one call center before digging on their property; however excavators performing work on the property of a homeowner are required to do so.

Even though not required by state law, DigNet still encourages homeowners to call the one call center before digging on their properties due to the safety concerns. Accidents involving underground lines may result in service interruptions for area residents, leakage of dangerous materials into soil as well as injury and even death to workers. Homeowners are also encouraged to confirm that their hired excavators have performed their necessary duties under the law and notified the one call center of the proposed excavation.

About DigNet of New York City & Long Island
DigNet of New York City & Long Island (formerly The New York City & Long Island One Call Center), is a member-funded, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of underground facilities from damage due to excavation and demolition. DigNet’s services include receiving notices of intent to perform excavation and demolition and transmitting them to its members in the specified dig area within the five boroughs of New York and the two counties of Long Island. Upon receipt of the planned excavation notification, members including utility companies and other operators of underground facilities must properly mark their underground facilities to minimize the risk of damage and injury. Located in Queens, DigNet accepts requests 24/7 and is easily contacted by dialing either 811 or 1-800-272-4480. For more information, please visit www.dignetnycli.com.

# # #

NEW YORK – September 1, 2009 – DigNet of New York City & Long Island, a non-profit organization that notifies operators of underground facilities of planned digging activity, announced today that it has changed its name. Formerly known as The New York City & Long Island One Call Center, DigNet is also unveiling a new logo and Web site address to better support its mission of educating excavators and homeowners of the importance of dialing 811 or 1-800-272-4480 before beginning any digging projects.

DigNet can now be found online at www.dignetnycli.com, and will soon unveil a new and improved Web site featuring detailed descriptions of all of DigNet’s services as well as information on safe digging practices and expanded resources for excavators and homeowners. Excavators are able to submit digging notifications and organizations are also able to request educational presentations from DigNet through the site.

“We’re hoping our new name and logo will be more recognizable, leading more people to remember to practice safe digging on their properties or job sites,” said Roger Sampson, president of the board of directors, DigNet. “Most importantly, we want everyone to understand that it is necessary to call DigNet anytime you dig, or else you run the risk of causing costly and hazardous damage to the underground lines in your area.”

Any work that requires mechanized excavation should merit a call to DigNet at least two working days before digging begins, including both professional construction projects as well as home renovation projects including installation of mailboxes, fences or swimming pools; landscaping and tree planting.

DigNet operates under the laws of New York State and Code 753 which is enforced by the Public Service Commission (PSC), all of which requires excavators to notify their local one call center prior to beginning any digging on a site. Failure to do so is punishable by fine. New York homeowners are not required by law to inform a one call center before digging on their property; however excavators performing work on the property of a homeowner are required to do so.

Even though not required by state law, DigNet still encourages homeowners to call the one call center before digging on their properties due to the safety concerns. Accidents involving underground lines may result in service interruptions for area residents, leakage of dangerous materials into soil as well as injury and even death to workers. Homeowners are also encouraged to confirm that their hired excavators have performed their necessary duties under the law and notified the one call center of the proposed excavation.

About DigNet of New York City & Long Island
DigNet of New York City & Long Island (formerly The New York City & Long Island One Call Center), is a member-funded, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of underground facilities from damage due to excavation and demolition. DigNet’s services include receiving notices of intent to perform excavation and demolition and transmitting them to its members in the specified dig area within the five boroughs of New York and the two counties of Long Island. Upon receipt of the planned excavation notification, members including utility companies and other operators of underground facilities must properly mark their underground facilities to minimize the risk of damage and injury. Located in Queens, DigNet accepts requests 24/7 and is easily contacted by dialing either 811 or 1-800-272-4480. For more information, please visit www.dignetnycli.com.

# # #