Freedom First Credit Union has created an ice cream truck that will give away free ice cream to disadvantaged children at area schools. Here is a press release from Freedom First:

WHAT: Introducing Scoop – an ice cream truck that’s giving away free ice cream throughout the Roanoke and New River valleys. With the start of the school year in Roanoke City, Scoop will initially visit area schools and after-school programs, supporting community development agencies that work with disadvantaged children and families.

Initially, Scoop will visit Greenvale School, West End Center for Youth, Rescue Mission, and Boys and Girls Club, kicking off future ongoing visits to area businesses and community events. A schedule is available at www.freedomfirst.com/freeicecream. Freedom First Credit Union will also be using Twitter and Facebook to update the community of planned visits, and to encourage residents in the Roanoke and New River valleys to suggest fun places for Scoop to visit. Read more »

Handle With Care Packaging of Roanoke is offering free fax services the week of Sept. 19-25. Here is a press release from the company:

Your resume is often the first, and sometimes the only, chance you have to make a positive impression on a prospective employer. That’s why business services provider Handle With Care Packaging Store of Roanoke wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward during Build a Better Image Week, September 19th – 25th, by offering to fax their resumes for free throughout that week and by sharing some important tips on creating and presenting a professional resume. Read more »

Uniroyal Tire and South Main Auto Service are supporting the Christiansburg Soccer Club with funds and equipment. Here is a press release from Uniroyal:

With the 10^th anniversary under its belt, the Uniroyal^® Soccer Program is continuing to support local soccer across the nation. Starting August 21st, players of Christiansburg Soccer Club will receive certificates that can be redeemed for a free soccer ball at South Main Auto Service, while supplies last.  After the 30-day program period, Christiansburg Soccer Club will receive $2 for every Uniroyal^® tire sold to the general public on behalf of Uniroyal^® Tire and South Main Auto Service. Read more »

The Awareness Garden Foundation, which established a cancer remembrance garden on Blackwater Creek Trail, has announced three new board members. Here is a press release from the foundation:

The Awareness Garden Foundation is pleased to welcome five new members to its’ Board of Directors.  New Board Members will serve a three-year term, beginning in August 2010. Read more »

As previously reported on this blog, the Taco Bell on Hershberger Road in Roanoke is being razed to make way for a “new and improved” Taco Bell building.

After the restaurant served its last taco, but before the first whack of the wrecking ball, Taco Bell joined with the Boys and Girls Club for a charity fund-raiser. For a price, you could write graffiti on the building.

These photos show the results — and the current pace of the demolition.

No word yet on how much money was raised for charity. We’ve asked, and when we hear, we’ll post the info here on The Ticker.

You can find details on the Taco Bell project here.

The real estate company Century 21 is conducting a photo-sharing contest with Easter Seals. For every picture uploaded, Century 21 will make a donation to Easter Seals to help autistic children and their families. Here is a press release from Century 21:

CENTURY 21 Gold Key, REALTORS is announcing the launch of the 21st Century Child: Picture the Future photo-sharing contest. By participating, families throughout Roanoke can help raise money to benefit children and families living with autism.

Nationally, the CENTURY 21(r) System and its philanthropic partner, Easter Seals, are asking families in the United States – whether personally affected by autism or not – to visit 21centurychild.com and share a favorite photo of their child (ages five and younger) and an inspirational message. After the photo is uploaded, participants are encouraged to share their photo and fundraising campaign profile with family, friends and others through their social network. For every photo uploaded, the CENTURY
21 System will make a donation to the cause*. Read more »

Taco Bell is closing on Hershberger Road in Roanoke, and people are invited to draw graffiti on the restaurant in exchange for a donation to the Boys and Girls Club. An expanded Taco Bell will open in November 2o10. Here is a press release from Taco Bell:

On Tuesday, August 24 from 10 a.m. til 6 p.m. for a donation to area Boys and Girls Clubs, you can Make Your Mark on THE BELL®. Tacoma, Inc., franchisee of Taco Bell Corporation, which owns and operates Taco Bell® restaurants in Southwest Virginia, is closing the Taco Bell on Hershberger Road in Roanoke, Virginia, Monday, August 23rd after twenty years to make way for “THE BELL® in a New Shell.”

The restaurant will be scraped and rebuilt into an 80 seater Taco Bell Restaurant with a bold urban décor and planned to open in late November 2010.  So if you’re a Taco Bell Fan, graffiti artist or just make stick figures, stop by Hershberger Road Taco Bell and make your mark on the walls.  Paint supplies will be provided. Participants will receive a FREE Taco Coupon to use at the other area Taco Bell locations. Read more »

Window World has reached its fundraising goal of $1.5 million in support for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Here is a press release from the company:

Window World, the nation’s largest replacement window company, has raised $1.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

The $1.5 million goal was set by the company less than two years ago after becoming a corporate partner of St. Jude and represents the total cost to operate the hospital for one day. Funds were raised through Window World’s charitable foundation, Window World Cares. Read more »

Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke has set a goal to raise $4 million for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The kickoff for the campaign will be August 19. Here is a press release from Advance:

WHAT: Over 900 Advance Auto Parts Team Members will participate in a rally at the Roanoke Store Support Center where Greg Johnson, Senior Vice President, DIY and Chief Marketing Office and former CEO Garnett Smith will announce the launch of Advance’s 2010 “sneaker” sales campaign to benefit children with diabetes.  This year marks Advance’s 17^th consecutive year of support for JDRF in the search to find a cure for type-1 (juvenile) diabetes. In the past 16 years, Advance has raised more than $20 million for JDRF, including a record-breaking campaign that raised $3.8 million for diabetes research in 2009, making Advance Auto Parts JDRF’s number one corporate partner.  Tom Brobson will also speak about his experience with the JDRF artificial pancreas project.  There will also be an exciting musical performance from Emily Maddy, a local child living with type-1 diabetes. Read more »

Shelter Alternatives Inc. has made donations to local Parent Teacher Associations to help teachers in Blacksburg. High School students are moving to the middle school, while middle school students are moving to the old Christiansburg middle school. Here is a press release from the company:

Shelter Alternatives, Inc. and their subsidiary company, Energy Check, have made donations to the Parent Teacher Associations assist the schoolteachers in moving BMS to the old CMS, and converting the BMS campus to BHS.

The needs are abundant and resources scarce as our community faces inaccessibility of the former high school property.  The children of some Shelter Alternatives and Energy Check employees attend both schools.  Business owner Ed Tuchler feels that volunteering and making donations during this critical time, in preparation for the incoming students, can show the teachers that the community sympathizes with the challenges the schools face.  “Our goal is to help the hardworking educators rise above the current circumstances and face the year ahead with Read more »