PAOB member, Kelly Thorsby shows her support for ALS.

We're proud of Kelly Thorsby, President of the Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce for taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Thank you for taking this challenge and supporting a great cause. View Now: http://ow.ly/ASjWw | #paob #alsicebucketchallenge

PAOB launches the Citizen Care Program to build support and awareness for better senior care.

The Professional Association of Businesses (PAOB) launched a new program to build support and awareness for better senior care by the launch of its Citizen Care Program. This program seeks to unite supporters of this initiative to contribute care packages to those seniors in need of personal care items that reside in living care facilities. The PAOB is proud to announce the first selected senior living facility to participate in this program will be Waterbrooke Assisted Living located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Waterbrooke was selected because of their level of care they provide to their residents and their willingness to build partnerships to support residents that are unable to receive the assistance they deserve.

Members of the PAOB from Virginia and North Carolina were in attendance supporting the event through volunteerism and giving out care packages to the seniors. If you would like to get involved a needs list can be found on the PAOB's Citizen Care Program web page at societyofmembers.com/citizencareprogram.

A very special thanks goes out to the contributors and supporters that included Operation Blessing International, Beverly Zimmerman-Wright, Frankie’s Place for Ribs Restaurant, Quality Hands & Hearts Home Care, Karen Clements, Binchmark Marketing & Agency Services, Waterbrooke Assisted Living, Walgreens, The Sutton Group, Montero Medical Missions, Stacy Kenyon, Elizabeth City Area of Chamber of Commerce and all the families and individuals that got involved.

PAOB's Citizen Care Program is a part of PAOB's Community Development Programs for better communities.

PAOB Member Sandra Sutton makes her dream a reality by opening The Bridal Lounge in Elizabeth City, NC.

The Bridal Lounge Inc. held their Launch Soiree to celebrate their grand opening. The event included a mini fashion show of the latest tuxedo trends, several stunning seasonal table designs, smooth tunes from saxophonist Jashaun Peele, delicious food from Montero's Restaurant, and photo booth fun from ShutterBooth Hampton Roads.

The Bridal Lounge lead by its founder Sandra Sutton is a new wedding resource boutique designed with the busy bride and groom in mind where couples discover what they need, when they need it, and who is best suited to help them plan the wedding of their dreams!

The Bridal Lounge is located in Elizabeth City, NC offering full and day of coordination services, linen and event rentals, tuxedo rentals and health and beauty. With years of wedding industry expertise, we believe in delivering nothing but superior customer service and peace of mind through planning. Sandra is a member of the Professional Association of Businesses (PAOB) and the Elizabeth City Area of Chamber of Commerce.

PAOB's launches the Envision Youth School Supply Give-A-Way.

The Professional Association of Businesses (PAOB) launched a campaign to provide free school supplies to children in need called the Envision Youth School Supply Give-A-Way.

This event was held at the Norfolk Police Department Training Center. This campaign targeted those parents of children in need that reside and work within the City of Norfolk, Virginia. As kids start back to any school schedule, supplies are needed. Having the school supplies they need helps kids achieve and keeps them focused about learning at school. Not having proper supplies contributes to a number of reasons that prevent our youth from moving forward.

The PAOB along with its lead sponsors that included Councilwoman and PAOB member Angelia Williams and the Sheriff Bob McCabe Foundation were on location among others at this free event that had entertainment, vendors, and served up delicious barbecue.

Also, a very special thanks goes out to all the PAOB members, sponsors, volunteers, that included Councilwoman Angelia Williams, City of Norfolk, Quality Hands & Hearts Home Care, Karen Clements, Ammanuel Gerena, Ahmaude Griffin, Vonda Johnson, The Sheriff Bob McCabe Foundation, Norfolk Police Training Center, Binchmark Marketing & Agency Services, The Decker Law Firm, Graves Funeral Home, addyourevent.com, Congressman & Mrs. Scott Rigell, ClubHorton Entertainment, First Colonial Inn, Philip Michael Fashion For Men, O’Brien & Associates, SALT Concierge Services, LeClair Ryan, The Franklin Johnston Group and others that got involved.

The Envision Youth School Supply Give-A-Way campaign is a part of PAOB's Community Development Programs for better communities.

PAOB Member Dr. Sandeep Samudre launches the Eastern Virginia Eye Institute (EVEI) with an insightful lecture on cause and prevention of dry eye disease.

Dr. Sandeep Samudre, Founder launched the Dry Eye Care Center @ Eastern Virginia Eye Institute (EVEI). The event presented a lecture on dry eye disease with emphasis on the cause and prevention of dry eye disease. The effect of nutrition on dry eye was also highlighted. Dr. Samudre introduced The Dry Eye Care Center @ EVEI, which offers evidence-based approach for treatment of dry eye with Acupuncture. This is a first of its kind in the Hampton Roads area. Dr. Samudre’s lecture was followed by an awards ceremony for EVEI’s two young research scholars whose research has been accepted for peer-reviewed international presentations.

Research topics included:

- Longitudinal modeling of improvement in dry eye signs and symptoms after acupuncture.
- Determining the mechanism of action of novel neuro-protective agents for treatment of glaucoma.

The student researchers were presented with a science medal, another first for the Hampton Roads science community. Dr. Juan Montero of Montero Medical Missions and Ms. Tricia Randall of Towne Bank were also honored with an appreciation award. This event was sponsored by Towne Bank.

PAOB Member Frances Knight Thompson supported the development of a unique summit that brought together over 700 young males to succeed.

PAOB’s Press Drop, covered the work by school workers and sponsors that developed the Annual African-American Male Summit. This event was a great project to encourage and empower young men. Congratulations to PAOB member, Frances Knight Thompson for supporting this project and working with today's youth.

This annual summit is sponsored by the Virginia Beach Schools. Through the summit these young men were brought together to learn from community leaders, build leadership skills and share with one another. For more information about the African-American Male Summit and to learn how to get involved, please contact the Office of Equity Affairs at (757) 263-6964.

PAOB member COL(R) James Ireland was inspired to create an ongoing health fair for his fellow veterans.

PAOB's Press Drop, covered a health fair event for veterans that was created by a retired veteran and PAOB member, COL(R) James Ireland. He is the Health Fair For Veterans Director for Montero Medical Missions. This was truly inspiring to see a retired veteran develop his concept to help other veterans receive the health care services they need.

The Health Fair For Veterans is a quarterly event held at the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in Chesapeake, VA. This is a free event for veterans to attend and receive health screenings from medical professionals and doctors. For more information about how to get involved or to attend the next Health Fair for Veterans please visit www.MonteroMedicalMissions.org.