Unleash the Power of The Press
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Old Colony Elder Services, which provides home care services to people age 60 and older in many South Shore towns, needs help to keep its emergency fund going strong this year. Requests from elders for crisis assistance have increased.
Continue reading Sue Scheible’s article – http://bit.ly/f9JmAG
Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund Appeal – Read more in The Patriot LedgerRead More
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BRIDGEWATER, MASS.
The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, has recently named Jennifer Harber as its Executive Director.
As Executive Director, Harber oversees all aspects of The Bridge Center’s operations, including fundraising, program, personnel and marketing strategy. Part of that strategy included renaming and branding of The Bridge Center from its former name Handi Kids. The new name was chosen to better reflect the expansion of programs they offer to children and families throughout the South Shore and Greater Boston areas.
“The Bridge Center has so much to offer the families of the South Shore. I’m thrilled to help bring all that the Bridge Center offers to a larger audience,” said Harber. “A big part of that has been developing relationships with other South Shore non-profits. Groups like the United Way of Plymouth County have been very receptive to what we’re working to accomplish at The Bridge Center.”
Throughout her career, Harber has developed, managed, and coordinated programs in camp, residential, and community settings. She comes to The Bridge Center after serving as Program Director for Massachusetts General Hospital’s YouthCare program where she managed and developed camp and teen programs, and developed and implemented training and consultation services for children, classrooms and programs.
Harber holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University with majors in psychology and math and a Master’s in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She also earned a post-graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders and will complete her MBA from Babson College in 2010. A Norwood resident, Harber likes to read, bake and snowboard in her spare time.
About The Bridge Center
The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups.
The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.
If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.
Jennifer Harber tabbed as executive director of The Bridge CenterRead More
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QUINCY, MASS…
In recognition of the fact that no businessperson is an island, the South Shore Ad Club encourages colleagues to jump on board as the Club sponsors a season opening networking session on Wednesday, September 30, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Granite Links Golf Club, 100 Quarry Hills Drive, Quincy. In addition to casual networking, Jim Ayraud, Founder of Next Level, Inc., a sales management consulting firm, will raise the bar and demonstrate how to be much more purposeful and therefore effective in our business networking.
Ayraud believes that networking is like anything else in life—the more serious you are about it—the more success you will have. Come prepared to practice and role play. Plan to leave with at least three ideas you can put into place right away.
“In particular, service business opportunities are largely based on relationships. New business and recurring revenue come from colleagues and referral sources who know you and trust you,” notes Jim Ayraud. He added, “These crucial relationships often start or become galvanized at networking events. The challenge is to choose the right events and then use proven techniques to make the most of them. Participants at this event will walk away with a new approach to meeting good business contacts.”
The price of admission is $25 for non-members, $20 for members. The business public is warmly invited. Light refreshments and gourmet pizza will be served.
About The South Shore Ad Club
The South Shore Ad Club is a non-profit organization committed to the personal and professional development of communications professionals located south of Boston. It’s the club’s mission to improve, strengthen and advance career goals through learning and networking opportunities; and to serve as a resource for local and Boston-area businesses requiring marketing, advertising, public relations and/or communications services.
Space is limited. To RSVP, please contact Mary McElroy, McElroy Associates, (781) 383-0505 orinfo@mcelroyassoc.net. Payment for this function can also be made on-line at www.southshoreadclub.com. Cash or checks will also be accepted at the door.
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ROCKLAND, MA…
Turn on the news today or glance over the headlines and all you see is doom and gloom: bailouts, down markets, home foreclosures, etc. On top of that, you hear of retailers going out of business and national companies reporting huge losses. Interestingly, even in these times of financial hardship, a locally owned company in Rockland is going against this trend. Serving the South Shore and the Islands since 1986, DirectBuy of Boston South has seen many turns of the economy, and more than ever people are buying more with less money.
“Believe it or not, the increase in member production and purchases, both in dollar volume and quantity, is largely because of these troubling economic times,” said owner John Massaria. “Consumers need to make every dollar count. By enabling our members to buy directly from more than 700 national manufacturers, suppliers and local vendors, DirectBuy saves consumers an average of up to 45 percent or more by eliminating markups. People are telling others and the proof is in our numbers.”
Those numbers include some pretty impressive increases, particularly in today’s economic climate, such as:
And during Massachusetts sales tax-free weekend in August, in which DirectBuy of Boston South is only open on Saturday, the numbers are even more telling:
DirectBuy franchises offer members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by purchasing wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. In addition, DirectBuy boasts a team of designers to help members with their purchases and gives them access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects. DirectBuy’s local contractors such as Mike Tarpey (617-828-5075), Rinaldi Builders (617-759-1313) and Green Star Builders (617-872-8388) have all seen increases in home-improvement renovations and installations as well.
Local stores also work with DirectBuy to afford huge savings to members, and that keeps the stores busy as well. According to the owner of Hancock TV & Appliances, Joe Palumbo (617-472-1710), “the relationship with DirectBuy has helped us realize our best year yet in more than 63 years.”
Another store showing increases with the help of DirectBuy members is Snow & Jones Plumbing, located in Norwell and South Yarmouth. Owner Barney Jones (781-878-3312) said that purchases from DirectBuy members have helped him see a huge increase over last year. Barney said, “the buying power of DirectBuy members is a powerful one and helps us stay busy. Members save money and we keep our stores humming.”
Although each DirectBuy location is individually owned, DirectBuy Inc. is an international company. In the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2008, members purchased 1.1 billion dollars in merchandise network-wide. That’s a 20.6 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. In the same fiscal year, DirectBuy Inc. grew from 143 locations to 165, a 15.4 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. In the area of membership sales, the company had the second best year in its 37-year history.
So is it all doom and gloom for businesses and consumers? Absolutely not. Consumers are realizing, now more than ever, that they must change the way they buy goods in order to make their budgets work. Members on the South Shore are increasingly looking towards DirectBuy of Boston South to shield themselves from inflation and recession.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House in the Rockland location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.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 name-brand manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having selection and choices not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Boston South opened in 1986 and prides itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local supplier services and unparalleled selection, all of which help make members’ dream projects a reality. It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Boston South is one of more than 160 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in learning more can call DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or visit www.directbuybostonsouth.com
Spending to save…DirectBuy of Boston South members buying even more in bad economic times.Read More
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ROCKLAND, MA…There’s a misconception among many consumers that buying “green” refers strictly to products made of natural materials. While that’s part of the equation, there’s much more to it. Like appliances and lighting that last longer and use less power to run. Or plumbing that requires less water. At DirectBuy of Boston South, members not only have the opportunity to purchase the full spectrum of green products under one roof, but they also can save some “green” buy paying manufacturer-direct prices.
Some of the green products available to DirectBuy members include:
“Consumers are always being encouraged to make ‘greener’ purchases, but there’s no real road map as to where to make these purchases and whether or not what they do buy is green,” said John Massaria, owner of DirectBuy of Boston South. “The green products our members can buy through DirectBuy have been rated by recognized authorities like Energy Star, LEED and the Sustainable Furniture Council, so you know the green purchase you’re making is part of the solution.”
Energy Star ratings refer to the U.S.-government backed program ranking the energy efficiency of products. LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a voluntary green building rating system, which is a consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. The Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit balanced coalition of manufacturers, retailers and consumers offering a public tagging program to identify good “green” choices.
“We all know we should be making greener purchases, particularly when it comes to products we use in our everyday lives like lighting and appliances. Unfortunately, making those wiser choices can be quite costly. By making all these green options available at DirectBuy, we give our members the choice to save money and valuable natural resources,” said Massaria.
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. DirectBuy of Boston South, conveniently located at 11A Commerce Road in Rockland, Massachusetts, offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House in the Rockland location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.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 enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Boston South opened in 2006 and prides itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection, all of which help make members’ dream projects a reality. It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Boston South is one of more than 160 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House in the Rockland, Mass. location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.com.
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