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Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY …

Most people want to know what they can do to make their dollar go farther, particularly when purchasing household appliances. While most consumers have their eyes on the price tag, it really should be on how much it costs to power those appliances, and that’s where ENERGY STAR comes in.

ENERGY STAR is the program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce energy consumption. Typically, ENERGY STAR products offer 20 to 30 percent savings on your energy bills. DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, sells a wide ride range of ENERGY STAR products to help members save.

“The irony about ENERGY STAR products is the program itself was set up to combat the negative effect running our appliances was having on our environment,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “While most people do want to minimize their carbon footprint, in today’s economy, it’s just as much about how much you can save by having appliances that run more efficiently.”

So, how much can you save by purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances? Here’s a small sampling:

  • Clothes washers – replacing a 10-year-old washing with a new ENERGY STAR machine can save a household more than $145 per year.
  • Dishwashers – ENERGY STAR dishwashers use 41 percent less energy and water than non-ENERGY STAR washers. That translates to $30 a year on your utility bill.
  • Refrigerators – a typical two-door, freezer on top refrigerator can cost $100 per year to run. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR can knock $30 per year off that, resulting in savings of $350 in just five years.
  • Home electronics – the average household spends $100 per year powering electronics devices in “standby” mode. ENERGY STAR products use less energy when in standby.
  • LED Lighting – requires 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 25 times longer. According to energystar.gov, LED lighitn can last more than 25,000 hours than its incandescent counterparts or more than 22 years!

“As a company that deals specifically in home improvement, you often hear the expression that this project will pay for itself, meaning resale. Yet when it comes to ENERGY STAR products, they literally do pay for themselves over time,” said Vest.

DirectBuy carries a large selection of ENERGY STAR products and appliances at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members select the appliance that works best for their works best for their home.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy club membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy club locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy club membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense.Read More

DirectBuy promotes achievement through technology.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently donated computer equipment to PATINS (Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students) Project. DirectBuy’s donation will help provide computer access to Indiana K-12 public students who are disabled and/or disadvantaged.

“We’re thankful that DirectBuy provided us with much needed computer equipment,” says Walt Daigle, Manager of the Refurbished Computer Program for PATINS Project. “DirectBuy’s contribution will eventually help hundreds of students in underprivileged schools.”

This type of generosity is fairly standard for DirectBuy Corporate. Last year, the corporate campus donated more than 100 CPU’s and monitors to Net Literacy, a youth empowered nonprofit organization headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The donation impacted thousands of individuals in and around the Midwest. Although this year’s donation wasn’t as sizeable, the effects of the contribution will be felt across the state of Indiana.

“We hope our donation will help impact the lives of students for years to come,” said Senior Director of MIS Donna Vaughan. “Every student should have access to computer technology. We are thrilled that our computer equipment will provide this opportunity to disadvantaged and disabled children.”

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen and bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more.

DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers and their authorized suppliers at more than 160 showrooms across North America. To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuy.com or www.DirectBuyCares.com.

About PATINS Project

The PATINS Project, an Indiana Department of Education/federal grant initiative, is the official lead agency in Indiana for the National Christina Foundation (NCF). NCF is a not-for-profit, national donation channel for refurbished computers. Together with NCF, CET, and Aidmatrix, PATINS is ensuring access to computer technology to students who are disabled, at-risk or disadvantaged.

             

DirectBuy promotes achievement through technology.Read More

Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense…Less expensive to run and tax credits and rebates make ENERGY STAR products a must.

OTTAWA, ON…

Most people want to know what they can do to make their dollar go further, particularly when purchasing household appliances. While most consumers have their eyes on the price tag, it really should be on how much it costs to power those appliances, and that’s where ENERGY STAR comes in.

ENERGY STAR is the international symbol of premium energy efficiency. Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) promotes the international ENERGY STAR symbol in Canada and monitors its use. Typically, ENERGY STAR products offer 20 to 30 percent savings on your energy bills.  DirectBuy of Ottawa, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, sells a wide ride range of ENERGY STAR products to help members save.

“The irony about ENERGY STAR products is the program itself was set up to combat the negative effect that running our appliances was having on our environment,” said Lise Girard, owner of DirectBuy of Ottawa. “While most people do want to minimize their carbon footprint, in today’s economy, it’s just as much about how much you can save by having appliances that run more efficiently.”

So, how much can you save by purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances? Here’s a small sampling:

  • Clothes washers – replacing a 10-year-old washing machine with a new ENERGY STAR machine can save a household more than $160 per year.
  • Dishwashers – ENERGY STAR dishwashers use 41 percent less energy and water than non-ENERGY STAR washers. That translates to more than $30 a year on your utility bill.
  • Refrigerators – a typical two-door, freezer-on-top refrigerator can cost more than $110 per year to run. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR can knock $30 per year off that, resulting in savings of nearly $400 in just five years.
  • Home electronics – the average household spends more than $100 per year powering electronics devices in “standby” mode. ENERGY STAR products use less energy when in standby.
  • LED Lighting – requires 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 25 times longer. According to Natural Resources Canada, LED lighting can last more than 25,000 hours than its incandescent counterparts or more than 22 years!

In addition to those savings, Canadians who replace their cooling or heating systems with ENERGY STAR systems are eligible for grants up to $5,000 from the federal government. Grant information can be found on the Office of Energy Efficiency Web site at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/.

Canadian residents who replace their heating systems might also be eligible for a Home Renovation Tax Credit for the 2009 tax year. The credit applies to expenditures more than $1,000 and less than $10,000, with the credit being no more than $1,350 per family. For eligibility guidelines, please visit the Home Tax Renovation Credit page on the Canadian Revenue Agency’s Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

“As a company that deals specifically in home improvement, we often hear the expression that this project will pay for itself, but that usually means at resale of your home,” said Girard. “When it comes to ENERGY STAR products, they literally do pay for themselves over time—without selling your home—and lessen the impact on the environment. That’s really an unbeatable combination.” 

DirectBuy carries a large selection of ENERGY STAR products and appliances at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members select the appliance that works best for their home.

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. With locations all across Canada, consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit www.directbuycares.com. For more information on ENERGY STAR, go to

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca.

 

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Locations of DirectBuy by province are:

Alberta:

DirectBuy of Calgary Unit 17 3900 106th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-543-1620

DirectBuy of Edmonton, 10427 174 St. NW, Edmonton, 780-413-8242

British Columbia:

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, 604-552-5252

DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, 604-251-5822

DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd, Kelowna, 250-763-4130

DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, 250-412-0238

Manitoba:

DirectBuy of Winnipeg, 180-117 King Edward Street East, Winnipeg, 204-925-4190

New Brunswick:

DirectBuy of New Brunswick, 950 Mountain Road, Moncton, 506-384-3009

Nova Scotia:

DirectBuy of Halifax, 60 Williams Avenue, Dartmouth, 902-446-4355

Ontario:

DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest, 2500 Williams Parkway E Unit 37, Brampton, 905-793-0639

DirectBuy of Ottawa, 1392 Cyrville Road, Ottawa, 613-749-2700

DirectBuy of London, 4093 Meadowbrook Dr. Unit 108, London, 519-652-0552

DirectBuy of Toronto North, 205 Torbay Road, Unit #2, Markham, 905-948-1911

DirectBuy of Mississauga, 4120 Ridgeway Drive Unit 26, Mississauga, 905-608-9244

DirectBuy of Kingston, 1121 John Counter Blvd, Kingston, 613-545-1200

DirectBuy of Toronto East, 1735 Bayly Unit 17, Pickering, 905-839-7747

DirectBuy of Hamilton – Niagara, 589 Barton St, Suite 102, Stoney Creek, 905-643-8271

DirectBuy of Toronto Downtown, 20 Banigan Drive, Toronto, 416-467-0078

DirectBuy of Waterloo, 755 Bridge St. Ste. 14, Waterloo, 519-885-3231

DirectBuy of Windsor, 2705 Kew Drive, Windsor, 519-945-3200

DirectBuy of Barrie, 320 Bayfield Street Unit 63, Barrie, 705-719-2999

Saskatchewan:

DirectBuy of Saskatoon, 201 Robin Crescent, Saskatoon, 306-683-3490

 

Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense…Less expensive to run and tax credits and rebates make ENERGY STAR products a must.Read More

No recession on love…The Right One/Together Dating announces growth during so-called recession.

NORWELL, MA…

How do you grow a company during a recession? Sell a commodity for which there’s always a demand. In the case of The Right One and Together Dating—one of the largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 locations in North America—that’s the possibility of love and romance.

At the end of last year, from October through December—the very height of the recession–The Right One and Together Dating experienced an 18 percent increase in new memberships from the same time period the year before. On top of that, during the last six months, The Right One and Together Dating have opened new locations in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Chicago and Schaumburg, Illinois and Austin and San Antonio, Texas.  

“If I had a dollar for every news report or broadcast that started with ‘in these tough economic times’ I could retire tomorrow,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating. “That’s not to say there aren’t people and businesses out there struggling. We’ve had our share of challenges as well. But times like these call for a new plan of attack, not white flags. We’ve been able to grow because we kept looking for ways to run our business better.”

The Right One and Together Dating have plans for additional growth over the rest of 2009. That includes the opening four more locations and the recent hiring of Northeast Regional Director Jill Vandor.

“That’s another thing I’m quite proud of. We have been hiring continuously throughout this period when the recession began and there doesn’t seem to be a slowdown in sight. There are very few companies that can say that,” said Falzone.

As one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services, The Right One and Together Dating offers singles a viable option to online dating services, which could see you at your computer for weeks on end sifting through profiles—many of which might not be 100 percent truthful. The Right One and Together Dating screens clients thoroughly, including background check, to effectively and safely match singles who are more likely to be compatible.

“Our business really isn’t about the economic times as timing. Is this the right time in your life to find that special someone? Are you ready for that special relationship? If tough economic times mean people can take a step back and look at their lives to see what’s really important, then there is a silver lining to all this negative talk about the economy.”

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for membership, contact The Right One toll-free at 800-818-DATE (3283).                                                                                                                  

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region.  
Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in:  Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel); Kentucky (Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio and Austin) and Virginia (Falls Church); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include:  California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Downers Grove, Rockford Normal and Chicago); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); New York (NYC); Nevada (Las Vegas); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

No recession on love…The Right One/Together Dating announces growth during so-called recession.Read More

James Zelasko receives DirectBuy’s Achievement Circle honors

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

Orchard Park resident James Zelasko, a membership director at DirectBuy of Buffalo, was recently awarded Achievement Circle honors by DirectBuy’s corporate offices for his dedication to helping introduce new families to DirectBuy club membership during the month of February—his 12th time earning this honor.

DirectBuy’s Achievement Circle recognizes the top performing membership directors and phone room associates at the more than 160 DirectBuy clubs across North America for their performance on a monthly basis. As a membership director, Zelasko is responsible for presenting the DirectBuy opportunity to prospective members, conducting tours of the DirectBuy of Buffalo club and answering questions prospective members might have prior to making their decision.

“It’s no accident that James has earned Achievement Circle honors 12 times. He’s very good at working with prospective new members and is a valuable member of our marketing team,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo, located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga.

Zelasko began with DirectBuy of Buffalo in February 2006. Prior to that, he had spent 23 years in retail furniture and flooring sales.

“DirectBuy is the best job I’ve ever had for many reasons, but mostly because I truly believe in the product,” said Zelasko. “DirectBuy not only helps families stretch their dollars to buy the things they need but it helps them buy the things they want, too.”

Zelasko resides in Orchard Park with his wife Susan and their five children. 

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy club membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy club locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy club membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

James Zelasko receives DirectBuy’s Achievement Circle honorsRead More

What you don’t know about retail markups does cost you…

MERRILLVILLE, IN …

These tough economic times have families and homeowners reevaluating budgets and looking for ways to reduce spending. One area a family’s internal audit might not take into consideration is how much more they spend by purchasing items they need at retail prices.

According to information from the 2007 U.S. Census, consumer retail markups range from 46.6 percent at furniture and home furnishing stores to 38 percent at department stores, and from 33.5 percent at building supplies and materials stores to 28 percent at electronics and computer software stores.

“When it comes to retail markups, many consumers don’t even realize what they are spending. And if they do, they often feel helpless. They don’t know there are alternative options to retail stores, so they opt to spend less rather than spend more wisely,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices. “You can’t stop shopping altogether. If you’re a homeowner, particularly if you purchased your home in the past few years, it’s difficult to spend less because you run the risk of your home running into disrepair and lowering the property value.”

In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders website, www.homeeconomics.com, families spend $12,332 during the first year after buying a home built in 2004 or later; and $8,927 if the home was built before 2004. For a non-moving owner, that figure was $4,420.

Even further evidence that homeowners are still investing in their properties comes from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In a recent report, the Joint Center projected that U.S. homeowners will spend $134.1 billion on home improvements in the third quarter 2009 and $137.2 billion in the fourth quarter 2009.

So, if consumers are still going to spend on home improvement, how do they escape costly retail markups?

“At our clubs across the U.S. and Canada, we enable our members to buy directly from the manufacturers. That eliminates the markup and gives them optimal value for their dollar,” said Shragal. “That’s why member sales are up at many of our clubs because, even in this difficult economy, people know they have to reinvest in their homes and want to get the maximum bang for their buck.”

DirectBuy clubs offer members the opportunity to save on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories. In addition, DirectBuy clubs boast teams of specialists and access to designers to help members with their purchases, as well as exclusive access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

What you don’t know about retail markups does cost you…Read More

Peter Hanson receives AAFD’s Chairman’s Award for Community Service

SAN DIEGO, CA…

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) honored AAFD President Peter Hanson with a special Chairman’s Award to recognize his years of service to the franchising community. Hanson was recognized at AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Awards banquet at the recent Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit in San Antonio, Texas.

“Peter’s service to AAFD and the franchisee community as a whole—both during his tenure as president and prior to that as a member—has been exemplary and invaluable,” said Robert Purvin, chairman of AAFD. “The wealth of knowledge and experience Peter brings to the table as president has helped us forge many of the relationships that make an AAFD membership highly desirable for members and member associations.” 

Hanson first served the AAFD for many years in a volunteer capacity as treasurer before his tenure on the AAFD Board of Directors for five years. He also served as a member of the AAFD Standards Committee and was named the AAFD’s Member of the Year in 2003. Hanson became president of AAFD in 2006.

An owner of four Huntington Learning Center franchises in southern California, Hanson is past President of the Association of Remedial Educators, the independent Huntington franchisee association. Prior to his life as a franchisee, Hanson served in various senior management capacities, notably as Executive Vice-President of Operations and Finance at Mitchell International, Vice-President and Principal of Polaris Capital Group LTD. Vice-President and CFO of Nucorp Energy, Inc. and Audit Partner at Arthur Young & Co.

“It has been quite an honor to serve as president of AAFD and I’m touched by this award,” said Hanson. “AAFD has been a big part of my career and life for that matter. We’ve made tremendous strides over the past few years and I’m looking forward to helping AAFD continue to be the vital force in the franchising community that it’s been.”

About the AAFD

The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, The AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising.   Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised businesses throughout the United States. The AAFD currently has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.

The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.

For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

Peter Hanson receives AAFD’s Chairman’s Award for Community ServiceRead More

From One Club to Another-DirectBuy Supports Boys & Girls Clubs…Donning Denim Makes a Difference for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana

DirectBuy's Patti Titus with children from the Merrillville Boys & Girls Club
DirectBuy

Merrillville, IN (May 19, 2009) –

Visitors walking in and out of the DirectBuy Corporate Headquarters in Merrillville were a little surprised to see employees so casually dressed on Friday, April 10, 2009. Wearing denim is not acceptable work attire for employees, but what visitors did not know was that DirectBuy employees were donning denim for a great cause. As part of a new corporate giving program, employees were given the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for making a minimum $2 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana (BGCNWI). As a result, DirectBuy raised $1000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana. 

 

 

The donation provided by DirectBuy helps Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana to continue offering services to area youth. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana is able to provide its programs and services because of the generosity of donors and volunteers, such as the employees of DirectBuy,” says Greg Reinholt, development manager, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.  

 

DirectBuy’s Patti Titus, senior director of merchandise services, and Sara Shragal, public relations manager, visited the Boys & Girls Club in Merrillville on April 21, 2009 to present the $1000 check and meet the children and volunteers who will benefit from the donation. During their visit, Titus and Shragal toured the facility and stayed to lend a hand with math worksheets.

 

At the Boys & Girls Clubs, homework is a top priority, followed by educational learning activities, computer education, physical fitness and games room activities. The Club also teaches classes about leadership, and making good choices.

 

“The DirectBuy concept really goes hand-in-hand with the values of the Boys & Girls Clubs,” says Titus. “Both programs are focused on helping families achieve a better quality of life.”

 

Giving back to the community has become a regular activity for DirectBuy clubs across North America. At the corporate office, employees give to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Foundation each year, but with the new corporate giving program in place, DirectBuy plans on making a donation each quarter of the year.

 

For the employees at DirectBuy, like merchandise specialist, Pattie Jakubielski, the new program is a welcome addition. “It was definitely fun to see co-workers wearing their favorite pair of jeans,” said Jakubielski. “But the best part is that the donations are helping local youth.”

 

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

 

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com

 

 

About Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Indiana

BGCNWI was founded in 1954 in Gary, Indiana. Currently BGCNWI operates six Club sites in six cities throughout Lake County Indiana. Serving more than 12,000 youth ages 6 to 18 years of age, BGCNWI provide Club programs and services that promote and enhance the positive development of boys & girls. The core belief of the organization, Board of Directors, staff, and donors is that all six Club sites provide youth with a safe place to learn and grow, teach youth to develop interpersonal relationships, to provide youth with life-enhancing programs and character and development experiences and last but not least to continue providing youth with hope and opportunity. For more information about BGCNWI visit (www.bgcnwi.org).

 

From One Club to Another-DirectBuy Supports Boys & Girls Clubs…Donning Denim Makes a Difference for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest IndianaRead More

DirectBuy of Winnipeg awards Home makeover to area resident…Winnipeg residents Balic Nihad and Merina Topcic plan to use their winnings to purchase the home of their dreams.

WINNIPEG, MB…

DirectBuy of Winnipeg, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, awarded $25,000 to Winnipeg resident Balic Nihad on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 as part of the company’s national Home Makeover Program.

With flowers in hand, Balic came ready to show his gratitude to the owners of DirectBuy of Winnipeg, and displayed much enthusiasm upon being named DirectBuy’s grand prize winner. “I am completely overjoyed,” he explained. “I still can’t believe I won $25,000. I would never have imagined anything like this happening to me.”

Balic Nihad and his girlfriend, Merina Topcic, plan to use their newfound fortune to purchase their dream home. Balic hopes to find a place in the same community in which he has made his home for the past 16 years after emigrating to Canada from Bosnia. Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed more than $450,000 in prize money to both members and non-members as part of their Home Makeover Contest, designed to help consumers create the home of their dreams.

Dwight and Lynn Till, who own and operate DirectBuy of Winnipeg, were ecstatic that they were able to help someone from their community realize their dreams. “I was very excited when I found out the Home Makeover grand prize winner was from our club,” co-owner Lynn Till explained. “The check presentation went wonderfully and I am happy that we could be part of this life-changing experience for such a nice couple.”

The DirectBuy of Winnipeg club, located at #180 – 117 King Edward Street in Winnipeg, offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 500 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design club where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Winnipeg employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Winnipeg are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada, and more than 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the United States.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

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