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Paycom Center Got an Upgrade

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Paycom Center is Oklahoma City’s premier sports and entertainment venue located downtown at 100 W. Reno Ave. The facility is managed by ASM Global but owned by the City of Oklahoma City.

History of Paycom Center

MAPS, Oklahoma City’s visionary capital improvement program, funded the original construction of Paycom Center in 1999. However, the city’s residents voted to fund the renovation project, upgrading the facilities and encouraging Oklahoma City’s overall growth into new sports, entertainment, conventions and cultural events.

The facility opened on June 8, 2002, with an initial cost of $89.2 million. Opening celebrations included a dedication ceremony led by Mayor Kirk Humphreys. In addition, there was a unique open house ceremony for the surrounding community to take a sneak peek.

Since it opened its doors, Paycom Center has hosted more than 1,200 events and seen more than 10 million fans walk through the doors. Since the beginning of the 2008-09 NBA season, the arena has served as the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. It has also been home to the Oklahoma City Blazers and Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, as well as world-class concerts, top-tier entertainment, major conventions and other sporting events.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Paycom Center Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images).

Oklahoma City Thunder is an NBA franchise and participates in the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. Oklahoma City Thunder [SN1] has won four conference championships and 11 division titles throughout its short history.

Paycom Center Quick Facts

Paycom

●      Seating: 15,341 permanent seats, 252 portable ADA seats, 1,568 portable floor seats

●      Initial venue cost: $89 million

●      Construction began in spring 1999.

●      Previous facility names before Paycom Center: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Arena and Ford Center

●      NBA-specific amenities include NBA-only locker rooms and facilities, a practice court, media broadcast facilities, lighting and sound, an NBA press room, an on-site NBA and team store, and ticket/staff rooms

●      Chad Richison, CEO of Paycom, acquired the naming rights to what would become Paycom Center on July 27, 2021, for the next 15 years.

●      Paycom Center has hosted numerous sold-out concert events by various artists, including Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Cher, Justin Bieber, Eric Clapton, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Jason Aldean and Jay-Z.

Multiple Sets of Improvements and Renovations

New renovations and improvements have been completed, and a new entrance was added during the final phase of renovations. The other innovations and improvements at Paycom Center include:

●      new modern restaurants

●      a family fun zone

●      locker rooms and team offices

●      a modern 75’ wide and 21’ tall exterior video display on the center’s north face

This was not the first set of renovations that Paycom Center has seen in its history. In 2009, the facility was closed for five months to make room for another set of renovations. Additional innovations also were made the following year in 2010 and included:

●      new locker rooms

●      new terrace suites with lounges on the club level

●      major upgrades to the arena’s entire lighting deck

●      a new and improved scoreboard

The facility now features three giant scoreboards and modern video displays at every end of the arena. Fans were also able to enjoy wider, retractable, and more luxurious leather seats.

Paycom Center Protocol

Paycom Center

Standard procedures are in place to safeguard players, fans, staff, and guests. All event organizers have a right to change entry policies to protect their guests during events. For more information on Paycom Center, visit paycomcenter.com.

What You Need To Know To Be the Best Caregiver You Can Be

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There are many older people with serious illnesses or long-term health problems. The majority of adult Americans suffer from a chronic medical condition for which they require care from a caregiver, family member, or friend. What can you do to become the best “care coach” or “care champion” you can be for an older person? Here are some tips on how you can show them you care.

Building Confidence

Provide encouragement to the person you are caring for so that they may increase their confidence regarding their ability to cope with their treatment. Encourage them to believe that they will benefit from undergoing treatment or rehabilitation, regardless of how difficult it may be at times.

Step by step

You can encourage someone undergoing chemotherapy to drink a few sips of water or soup so they get the fluids they need, even when they are nauseous or lack appetite. Help them take just a few steps with the goal of getting to the bathroom if they have had a stroke or other mobility problem.

Be persistent in your encouragement

Continually reinforce the idea that they can eat some soup or take a short walk to the bathroom. Repetition and realistic encouragement are essential.

Recall their successes

Remind them gently that they did it yesterday and can do it again today, even if they feel it’s impossible to eat or walk today.

Compassion is a virtue

During chemotherapy or other difficult treatments, it’s sometimes best to simply sit and talk with the person you’re caring for-that will help take their mind off the process. You can also get them a milkshake if that’s all they can handle. By supporting someone who has had a stroke when they rise from a wheelchair, you can help them manage their fear of falling.

Keep unnecessary gestures to a minimum

You shouldn’t say things like “let me know if there is anything I can do” or “call me if you need anything.” When someone is sick, they are unlikely to ask for help. Provide tangible assistance.

Don’t hesitate to take action

It is never too late to do or say something. Keep in touch with someone if you learn of their illness. Don’t be shy because you’re worried about invading the privacy of the person. The person’s illness is not a secret. Don’t be afraid to contact the person or send a card. Show that you care in any way you can. It will be obvious from their response whether you helped. Getting through their treatment or dealing with an ongoing illness requires the support of their social circle.

Encourage the person

If you can, consider things that helped you overcome difficult situations in the past. It can be as simple as sharing a favorite quote from a book that gave you hope in difficult times or help you put things into perspective. You can encourage the person you’re caring for by offering encouraging words. Furthermore, you can share your experiences about things that have helped you bounce back during challenging times.

Whenever you are unsure about a procedure, ask questions

Hands-on care may be necessary, such as giving someone an injection or caring for a wound. Even if you have been instructed about the procedure previously, do not be afraid to ask questions. This type of care should not cause you any anxiety or stress, so make sure you feel comfortable and confident.

Gary Kaplans Family Vacays and Local Philanthrophy

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Gary Kaplan is a businessman from Brooklyn, NY, who relocated to Costa Rica in the 1990s. This move was in pursuit of his love for travel, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. He has always had a passion for children, and this is one of the things that motivated him to start the HG Kaplan Foundation

One of the first charitable projects that he participated in was assisting families from Costa Rica who got displaced by catastrophic mudslides. He helped in rebuilding their homes and providing funds to cater to basic needs. Through the HG Kaplan Foundation, Gary provides mentorship and monetary resources to assist children from underserved and underprivileged communities.

Gary Kaplan’s Love for Travel Inspires His Philanthropy

In his early adulthood years, Gary loved to travel all over the world in hopes of knowing life beyond New York. During his travels to places such as Zambia, Africa, he would notice how women and children would travel miles from their homes to get basic needs such as water. This was a shock to him and, at the same time, heart-breaking to imagine that there were still people out there struggling to get basic needs at this time and age.

As a businessman, Gary is used to identifying problems and finding solutions. So, to him, these challenges in the communities were simply problems that needed fixing. His mind would automatically devise plans in hopes of fixing the issues. This is what led him to start the charitable foundation. Though he could not help everyone, he at least gave hope to some.

Primary Focus of the HG Kaplan Foundation

Gary uses a solution-focused approach to lead the HG Kaplan Organization, among many other foundations. The main programs of the foundation include:

  • Health education program
  • Bed and basic food
  • Clinic projects
  • Daycare center

Health Education Program

The health education program provides lessons in hygiene, safety, health, and nutrition. This protects children from illnesses and gives them a chance to grow into healthy adults. In addition, through this program, children at risk get emotional support, instilling a sense of trust and love in them.

Bed and Basic Food

The foundation strives to provide basic needs to underprivileged families and children. For example, they build beds for children, improving their quality of life and health. In addition, they have partnerships with grocery chains to provide water and food to these families.

Clinic Projects

Through the HG Kaplan Foundation, Gary rolled out a clinic project in Costa Rica, just near his family home. The foundation later converted the clinic project into a library and recreation center for the community. This was only after they realized that the community no longer needed the clinic.

Daycare Center

One of the issues leading to poverty is that some parents cannot work since they have small children to care for and cannot afford daycare services. The foundation provides daycare services, allowing parents with young children to find work and thus elevating poverty to some extent.

Gary Kaplan’s Will To Help Transforms Communities!

Gary Kaplan’s will to help has helped communities access the essential resources needed to improve their quality of life and live happily. Most of these philanthropic services can get attributed to his excellent entrepreneurship skills and the ability to organize and prioritize tasks.

Innovation, solidarity, integrity, and honesty are some of the solid pillars, which have kept Gary and the HG Kaplan Foundation successful all these years. Every penny is essential in making a positive difference in the community.

Sinclair Broadcast Group Teams With American Red Cross and Other Collection Centers Across America

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Baltimore, MD., June 30, 2021 – On July 14, 2021, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that the company’s “Sinclair Cares: Roll Up Your Sleeves” program has partnered with the American Red Cross. Sinclair Broadcast Group urges viewers to book blood donation appointments to help stock up blood supplies in hospitals across the country through the initiative. Besides, people can also support the cause financially or volunteer their time. July 14 marked World Blood Donor Day, and the campaign is expected to last up to July 23.

Rallying Americans Together

The COVID-19 pandemic nurtured a sense to support the needy among Americans, and people are more ready to participate in blood donations. It also impacted hospitals because many had to defer treatments or delay surgical procedures. As healthcare facilities recover from the pandemic, the demand for blood products has sky-rocketed, and now there’s more shortage than the pre-pandemic levels. The American Red Cross is doing every possible thing to reverse the deficit. However, it still requires community support to ensure that hospitals have enough blood products to cater to patients in need of critical treatment procedures.

“As the nation’s healthcare systems continue to recover from the pandemic, we shouldn’t forget that the need for blood products never stops,” Sinclair CEO Christopher Ripley said. “Through its Sinclair Cares: Roll Up Your Sleeves initiative, SBG has partnered with the American Red Cross and other blood donation centers across the country. Sinclair will leverage its media presence to implore the community to donate blood to end the shortage and ensure that their fellow Americans in hospitals get the much-needed blood-reliant care. Millions of people require blood donations, and it’s crucial to create mass awareness on how people can help solve the blood shortage problem.”

Increased Willingness to Donate Blood

In 2020, Sinclair’s blood-donation campaign managed to collect 2,000 units of donated blood successfully. Following the success, more individuals have booked appointments to donate blood this year.

Sinclair has also nudged its affiliated local news outlets to join the movement to ensure that the campaign’s outreach expands. That includes Tennis Channel, Marquee Sports Network, Bally Sports Networks, and Sinclair-owned and operated digital channels. Sinclair Broadcast Group has opened its media outlet websites to provide platforms where individuals, communities, and organizations can partake in the campaign. It will also guide how the public can get involved through its national website sinclarecares.com.

If you’d like to support the “Sinclair Cares: Roll Up Your Sleeves” initiative, please visit sinclarecares.com. Your support will be highly appreciated.

Sinclair Broadcast Group Partners with American Red Cross

About Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBG), Inc.

Sinclair Broadcast Group is a leading TV broadcasting company that provides local sports and news. It has an extensive diversified portfolio in the television broadcast industry, owning and operating more than 20 sports network brands across North America. Sinclair also owns, operates, and offers broadcasting solutions to more than 185 TV stations across 85 markets. The company is a renowned news provider in the United States, owning and operating TV stations affiliated to major news brands, such as FOX and NBC. Sinclair created the NextGen TV broadcasting standard, ATSC 3.0 that provides over-the-air broadcasting technology to develop hybrid online streaming and broadcasting solutions for mobile access. It also delivers content through digital platforms and multichannel distributors.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is a non-profitable organization established to cater to disaster victim’s needs by providing relief, food, shelter, and emotional support. The organization also supplies over 40% of the country’s blood; educates and equips volunteers and staff with life-saving skills; offering global humanitarian aid; and supporting military staff and their families. Being a not-for-profit entity, The American Red Cross relies on volunteers and donations from well-wishers and the American population to meet its goals and mission. For further insights, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamerica.org. Alternatively, visit @RedCross on Twitter.

Gary Kaplan Attempting to Solve the African Water Crisis

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The availability of water is a minimum essential for sustaining human life. Unfortunately, many people in disadvantaged parts of the world do not enjoy the luxury of having cheap and clean water available in their homes. Some people have to travel for hours every day just to pick up clean water. In other cases, water can be delivered, but delivery services are prohibitively expensive for the world’s poorest people.

Problems Associated With Poor Water Availability

The problem with limited water availability is that people fall behind when they have to spend hours every day retrieving water from nearby wells or streams. The time spent fetching water could have been spent taking online courses to learn a specialized trade or working for a salary to enjoy more economic opportunity. Retrieving water can also be a significant burden on elderly and sick individuals. In many cases, people who become sick end up dying quickly because they are unable to make the trip to retrieve water.

Water 4 Africa’s Promise

Water 4 Africa was launched in an effort to resolve the water crisis in some of the world’s poorest communities. The organization’s concept was that if people could be given easy access to clean water, they would quickly be able to improve their communities and increase their standard of living. In this way, Water 4 Africa seeks to offer hope to disadvantaged people who are struggling to survive.

Water 4 Africa Can Make a Difference

Water 4 Africa recognizes that rare diseases are common in poor nations because of water quality issues. Children are especially vulnerable to diseases caused by unclean water because their developing bodies lack the strength to break down harmful water additives, such as bacteria, pathogens, and dangerous chemicals. When people of any age drink water that is unclean, they risk the possibility of catching a rare disease that could permanently weaken their bodies or even become fatal.

Unfortunately, sanitation issues are especially problematic in disadvantaged communities that generally lack sufficient educational resources. People in uneducated communities tend to look up to local elders for guidance, and these community leaders often lack an understanding of how to detect harmful pathogens in drinking water. As a result, a broad range of social, economic, and educational issues emerge in disadvantaged nations as a result of bad planning and decision-making. A downward spiral then begins as wages and educational opportunities are lost.

After conducting extensive research, Water 4 Africa concluded that a lack of clean water is one of the main reasons why hunger remains an issue in Africa. Water is necessary for sustaining life, preparing food, and staying healthy. As a result, Water 4 Africa decided to commit to resolving physical water scarcity issues.

To realize the greatest social good possible, Water 4 Africa is careful to balance major global issues, such as climate change and geopolitics, with its overall vision. Ultimately, Water 4 Africa believes that education is the most effective way to resolve sanitation issues.

However, water is also necessary for enabling students to attend school, so the organization also has to strike a balance between immediate needs and outcomes for future generations.

Water 4 Africa has divided its action plans into four key areas that have been identified as the most significant opportunities to make a difference. The major areas that Water 4 Africa focuses on include:

1. Well Repairs

Many villages have their own wells, but the wells are broken for a wide variety of reasons. When it is feasible to fix a well in a struggling community, Water 4 Africa provides the resources to complete the repair.

2. Drilling New Wells

New wells are the most common need in remote villages that rely on distant sources of clean water.

3. Recycling Wastewater

Many African countries have plenty of water, but they are unable to make use of it because of infrastructural issues. Water 4 Africa provides the resources to enable villages to recycle their own wastewater to become self-sufficient.

4. Desalination Plants

Small desalination plants that are powered by solar energy could make an enormous difference in remote communities. Therefore, leveraging innovation in the desalination industry is a key focus of Water 4 Africa.

Gary Kaplan founded Water 4 Africa after realizing an extreme need for water after a trip to Zambia. Kaplan saw long lines of people queuing up to receive water, and he realized how this problem was leading to an enormous loss of productive labor hours. Consequently, Kaplan founded Water 4 Africa to make an enormous difference in the lives of people struggling to gain easy access to clean water.