National Clothesline

Eddie Mannis, president of Prestige Cleaners, Inc. based in Knoxville, TN, has been selected Corporate Philanthropist of the Year by the Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Fundraising Professionals of America Association.

Mannis and his company were recognized as active participants and supporters of many programs that benefit the citizens of Knoxville and East Tennessee. During the last three years alone, the value of financial donations and in-kind services contributed by Prestige to non-profit organizations in East Tennessee has exceeded a half a million dollars.

Not only does his company support a variety of local non-profit organizations, it also established two of its own philanthropic efforts.

In 2006, Prestige initiated Project Classroom, a year-round annual fundraising program to support the public school systems in three counties in which Prestige does business.

Each year Prestige donates a percentage of annual revenues to K-12 schools in these communities with no restrictions on how the money may be spent.

In 2007 the company established HonorAir Knoxville to provide a one-day all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for East Tennessee World War II veterans to see the memorial built in their honor as well as other service memorials. To date HonorAir Knoxville has taken five flights.

Prestige has also been a major sponsor of Coats for the Cold, cleaning more than 100,000 coats free of charge.

Mannis also served as chairman of the Dogwood Arts Festival and later as chairman of the Dogwood Board of Directors based on a personal commitment to help the organization meet its fundraising goals and revitalize the financial condition of the festival which has been a vital tourism event in Knoxville for 40 years.

“I believe strongly that our company should support the community in which it has been so successful,” Mannis said. “We are proud to be an integral part of the East Tennessee community.”

The South Eastern Fabricare Association plans several educational opportunities for cleaners in the coming months.

First up is a seminar on “How to Build a Successful Route” presented by James Peuster on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Embassy Suites-Buckhead, 2385 Peachtree Rd. in Atlanta, GA.

The program will focus on simple ways to set up a route sales service. Attendees will learn how to sell new customers and build value with existing ones. The seminar will begin at 12:30 p.m. and run until about 5 p.m. Lunch will not be provided.

The cost is $49 for SEFA and DLI members and $99 for non-members.

SEFA also is planning a Drycleaning 101 program for Mobile, AL, in November; a plant maintenance program in Columbia, SC, in January; and a shirt luandry program in Tampa, FL, in Feburary.

Details will be announced as the dates near.

For more information, call the SEFA office, (877) 707-7332, or visit www.sefa.org. Online registration is available on the “Events and Seminars” page.








						Mannis awarded for support of local community programs Eddie Mannis, president of Prestige Cleaners, Inc. based in Knoxville, TN, has been selected Corporate Philanthropist of the Year by the Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Fundraising Professionals of America Association. Mannis and his company were recognized as active participants and supporters of many programs that benefit the citizens of Knoxville and East Tennessee. During the last three years alone, the value of financial donations and in-kind services contributed by Prestige to non-profit organizations in East Tennessee has exceeded a half a million dollars. Not only does his company support a variety of local non-profit organizations, it also established two of its own philanthropic efforts. In 2006, Prestige initiated Project Classroom, a year-round annual fundraising program to support the public school systems in three counties in which Prestige does business. Each year Prestige donates a percentage of annual revenues to K-12 schools in these communities with no restrictions on how the money may be spent. In 2007 the company established HonorAir Knoxville to provide a one-day all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for East Tennessee World War II veterans to see the memorial built in their honor as well as other service memorials. To date HonorAir Knoxville has taken five flights. Prestige has also been a major sponsor of Coats for the Cold, cleaning more than 100,000 coats free of charge. Mannis also served as chairman of the Dogwood Arts Festival and later as chairman of the Dogwood Board of Directors based on a personal commitment to help the organization meet its fundraising goals and revitalize the financial condition of the festival which has been a vital tourism event in Knoxville for 40 years. “I believe strongly that our company should support the community in which it has been so successful,” Mannis said. “We are proud to be an integral part of the East Tennessee community.” Peuster to lead route seminar in Atlanta The South Eastern Fabricare Association plans several educational opportunities for cleaners in the coming months. First up is a seminar on “How to Build a Successful Route” presented by James Peuster on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Embassy Suites-Buckhead, 2385 Peachtree Rd. in Atlanta, GA. The program will focus on simple ways to set up a route sales service. Attendees will learn how to sell new customers and build value with existing ones. The seminar will begin at 12:30 p.m. and run until about 5 p.m. Lunch will not be provided. The cost is $49 for SEFA and DLI members and $99 for non-members. SEFA also is planning a Drycleaning 101 program for Mobile, AL, in November; a plant maintenance program in Columbia, SC, in January; and a shirt luandry program in Tampa, FL, in Feburary. Details will be announced as the dates near. For more information, call the SEFA office, (877) 707-7332, or visit www.sefa.org. Online registration is available on the “Events and Seminars” page.