Jim Ellis Automotive Group's annual holiday giving campaign raised $65,000 to assist the Family Support Team at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

ATLANTA, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) -  With the support of customers, Jim Ellis Automotive Group closed out the sixth annual Holiday Giving Campaign with a $65,000 donation to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. A portion of the profit for each new or used vehicle sold at all of the 20 Jim Ellis Automotive dealerships between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, contributed to the donation.

Jim Ellis Automotive Group selects a different Atlanta-area charity to support through their annual holiday giving campaign. Over the last five years, Jim Ellis Automotive has donated over $250,000 to groups serving women and children in need across the Atlanta area from the holiday giving campaigns alone. 

Established in 1995, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta cares for more than 2,400 children with cancer and more than 5,800 children with blood disorders annually. The Holiday Giving Campaign donation will be directed to the Family Support Team, a team of 35 individuals who help provide for the emotional and spiritual needs of the patients in the form of child life, psychology, chaplaincy and social work positions.

"We are proud to partner with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta," said Jim Ellis Automotive Group Vice President Stacey Ellis Hodges. "We hope our donation can give a child the gift of growing up."

"We are incredibly grateful to the Jim Ellis family for their long-standing commitment to the thousands of children cared for at Children's and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center," said Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center Development Director Sara Orton. "Their support is invaluable as we continue to provide the best care for the kids of Georgia and beyond."

About Jim Ellis Automotive Group

Jim Ellis Automotive Group has been serving the Atlanta area since 1971, starting with Volkswagen as the flagship brand. The group has expanded to 17 brands and 20 dealerships, covering Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, McDonough, Marietta, Sandy Springs and South Fulton. Brands include Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. Visit in stores or shop from the comfort of your home at jimellis.com.

For more information, please visit https://www.jimellis.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimEllisAuto/ 
Instagram: @jimellisauto 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Jimellisautomotive/videos?app=desktop

Contact Information:
Loren Roberts
Associate Director of Marketing
[email protected]
770-234-8157


Original Source: Jim Ellis Automotive Donates $65,000 to Help Fight Pediatric Cancer

Stouffer Legal Brings Expert Estate Planning Services to Annapolis Community

ANNAPOLIS, Md., February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Stouffer Legal is proud to announce the opening of its new office in Annapolis, Maryland. With this expansion, the firm is eager to serve more of Maryland and extend its presence into the bay area. The new location is situated conveniently on Defense Highway right off Route 50.

Stouffer Legal was established in 2013 and is a premier estate planning law firm serving families in Maryland. With a focus on providing expert guidance and compassionate support, the firm assists families with the legal aspects of estate planning, probate, estate & trust administration, and Medicaid planning.

At Stouffer Legal, the team of experienced attorneys understands the importance of securing a family's future and is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complex world of estate planning. With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the law, the firm provides personalized legal solutions tailored to meet each client's unique needs.

Many of Stouffer Legal's attorneys have roots in the Annapolis area, including Partner Alex Housley. Alex is a driven and affable attorney who practices exclusively in estate, trust, probate, and elder law in Maryland. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Towson University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Stouffer Legal.

Prior to joining the firm, Alex worked at a firm handling civil litigation for real estate disputes and transactions, where he passionately advocated for and negotiated on behalf of clients in and out of the courtroom. With his knowledge and experience in real estate, Alex is a valuable asset to Stouffer Legal.

Alex is dedicated to helping families through the estate planning process, with a mission to ensure that clients and their families can learn from his experiences.

In his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids and cheering on the Ravens and Orioles.

Stouffer Legal is excited to bring its high-quality legal services to the Annapolis area and looks forward to serving the community with the same level of expertise and commitment to clients that it is known for.

For more information on Stouffer Legal, please visit its website at www.stoufferlegal.com.

Contact Information:
Tasha Neiman
Director of Business Development
[email protected]
(443) 470-3599


Original Source: Stouffer Legal Expands Presence in Maryland With New Office in Annapolis

NEW YORK, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Like it or not, the financial world judges you based on your credit score. Your FICO credit score is a number (ranging between 300 and 850) that represents your creditworthiness, or how likely you'll be able to repay the lender. Read on to learn what a FICO score is, what factors can influence it, and how you can improve yours.

How your FICO score works

A FICO score is the credit rating determined by the Fair Isaac Corporation, a data analytics company that originally developed credit scores. FICO uses credit history reported to the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to determine how reliable of a borrower you'll be. 

You may be wondering if there's a difference between a FICO score vs. credit score. Your FICO score is a specific type of credit score. It's the most widely recognized and used by many lenders in their application decisions.

However, FICO is not the only type of credit score. Competitors such as VantageScore can also be used to determine your creditworthiness. When checking your credit score, it's important to know whether the number being reported is your FICO score, VantageScore, or some other variation.

What factors affect my FICO score?

FICO's website makes it clear what data from your credit history is used when calculating your credit rating. This can be summarized into five major categories:

• Payment history (35%) - Were your payments on time and meeting the minimum requirements?
• Amounts owed (30%) - How much of your total available credit are you using?
• Length of credit history (15%) - How old is your oldest active credit line?
• New credit (10%) - How often have you applied for new lines of credit?
• Credit mix (10%) - How many different types of credit do you have (credit cards, retail cards, a mortgage, other installment loans)?

How to improve your FICO score

Raising your credit score is rooted in practicing good, responsible financial habits. Here are a few tips you could use to increase yours.

• Set your payments up for autopay. That way they'll always be paid on time and in full.
• Use your credit modestly. Many experts recommend keeping your credit utilization ratio, the amount of credit that you've used divided by your credit limit, to 30 percent or less.
• Don't cancel old credit cards. Though it can seem counterintuitive, leaving old credit cards open that don't have an annual fee will actually add to your length of credit history and positively impact your credit score.
• Apply for new credit sparingly. Each new credit inquiry will count against your credit score. Only apply when it's necessary.
• Maintain a mixture of credit lines. It's okay to have multiple loans and credit cards. Lenders like to see that you can manage multiple lines of credit.

The bottom line

FICO scores are the most recognized and widely used type of credit score. They're calculated by taking input from your credit history and using it to determine your creditworthiness. You can improve your credit score by practicing good financial habits, such as paying your bills on time and using your credit lines moderately.

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Original Source: A Beginner's Guide to Your FICO Score

NEW YORK, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Moving is a big deal, and with a thousand moving parts, it's easy for the stress to begin pouring in. While some things can be helped, such as starting to pack early, there are plenty of issues that can't be prevented, such as the cost. 

The reality is that between closing costs, furnishing, or even gas to get to your new place, the price of moving can go well beyond what meets the eye. If you're getting ready to move and are thinking about getting a moving loan, here is everything you need to know, including some ways to use moving loans. 

What is a moving loan?

A moving loan is a type of personal loan that is designed to cover the cost of moving. 

Moving loans are the perfect solution for an individual or family who is having a difficult time funding their move out of pocket. Not only can this loan provide funds quickly, but many are also usually unsecured, which can mean an easier buying process all around. 

How to use a moving loan

Here are just a few ways a moving loan can be used to make your moving process that much easier:

1. Hiring professional movers

Whether you're moving to your first home or a fifth sublet, the process can seem daunting. One way to make moving a little easier is with a professional moving company. These companies are designed to take a lot of the work off your plate, making it easier for you to focus on what matters most: adjusting. Oftentimes, these movers will pack up, transport, and unpack or unload your belongings. 

2. Furnishing your space

Moving but don't quite have the funds to make the space yours yet? You may want to consider using a moving loan to help cover the needs and must-haves. Keep in mind that every dollar borrowed is one that will need to be paid back, so only use the loan for necessary expenses to begin with. Then, as funds become available, you can purchase additional pieces for the space where needed. 

3. Paying a security deposit or closing costs

Moving comes with a lot of unexpected expenses. If you're moving to a new home, there may be a number of closing costs or hidden fees to get services started. When it comes to renting, that can also mean covering a security deposit. A moving loan can give you the funds you need so that you can pay for the closing costs or security deposit without worry.

4. Renting a moving truck

For those brave movers taking more of a DIY approach, renting a moving truck may be in the cards. But with a blanket cost and additional expenses for things like mileage and gas, it can become expensive. If you don't quite have the funds to make the move, consider using a loan to cover the cost of the moving truck. 

5. Moving materials 

For those that need to pack up their own belongings, a moving loan can help cover the cost of the materials. From boxes and tape to blankets and mattress covers, these materials can start to add up in cost, but they aren't something that you'll want to skip on as they help protect your items. 

The bottom line

Moving is an exciting but expensive process. A moving loan can help to make the process easier, taking some of the burdens away from all parties involved. This guide helps to provide a few examples of how a moving loan can help you to meet your goals while making the process as smooth as possible. 

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Original Source: 5 Ways to Use a Moving Loan

California Skateparks-designed Aljada Skatepark hosts world's best on their road to Paris.

VISTA, Calif., February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The world's best skateboarders are performing their newest tricks this week at the massive Aljada Skatepark in Sharjah, UAE. Designed and built by California Skateparks, Aljada is hosting the World Skate 2022 World Championships for both Street and Park disciplines. After the new Champions are named next week, Aljada will remain as a permanent skatepark serving local youth.

"The facility is unique and has beginner, intermediate, and elite competition-level Street and Park courses and covers almost 90,000 square feet (8,360 square meters)," said California Skateparks VP Bill Minadeo. "This is an amazing opportunity for local youth to interact with the world's best skaters and host incredible events, like the World Championships."

The World Skate 2022 World Championships is a key qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics. While the Street skaters have already competed in one qualifier in Rome last Summer, Sharjah will be the first chance for the Park skaters to earn important points to qualify for Paris.

This weekend the Street skaters have their chance to earn the World title, with the Finals in the Men's and Women's competition taking place. The Street course at Aljada features a mirrored core section, with identical elements such as stairs and rails providing equal opportunity for both goofy- and regular-stance skaters to perform. The outer perimeter of the course includes more free-form features, allowing skaters to explore opportunities for unique tricks and combinations.

Next week, the Park competitors have their turn and attention will shift to the massive bowl, which differs from recent competition bowl designs. The traditional single deep end is replaced by two nearly 10-foot (3-meter) deep ends on opposite sides of the bowl. To take full advantage of that, a long, sloping channel flows into the bowl from the deck, allowing skaters to begin their routines with maximum speed. The volcano flyover feature included in the Olympic Park course has been replaced by a hip/transfer section extending into the bowl from the side, instead of being the bowl's centerpiece.

Both the street course and competition bowl are the result of the California Skateparks design team's nearly two-decades experience creating elite competition courses. In consultation with many athletes competing in Sharjah, the designers modified traditional contest elements and complemented them with new features that match the skaters' growing level of competitiveness and evolving style of tricks. From early practice footage seen from Sharjah, evidence suggests that the California Skateparks design team got it right, including social-media posts showing how much fun visiting pros are having at Aljada. Which is great news for Sharjah's local skaters.

For more information about the World Skate 2022 World Championships, visit www.worldskate.org/skateboarding.

To learn more about California Skateparks, visit www.californiaskateparks.com or contact Bill Minadeo: [email protected]

Contact Information:
Bill Minadeo
Vice President
[email protected]


Original Source: Top Skateboarders Converge on Sharjah UAE for World Championships