BizWord December 2011
 

  Table of Contents
From the desk of Laura Crawford

A Letter from the Chairman of the Board

Chamber Choice Awards - It's Your Choice.  Nominate!

Downers Grove Area Chamber Attainable Futures Program for District 99 Students

Traditional Holiday Celebration

Members Only Savings

What have we done for you lately?

Members in the News!
Thank you Members!

From the desk of Laura Crawford

Look for a Letter from Laura the 2nd Week of the Month!

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A Letter from the Chairman of the Board

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are here already.  I’m sure that you are looking forward to the opportunity to get together with your family and friends to share laughter, good food and all the good times that holidays bring.  This also is the time of the year that we all think about giving thanks for all the blessings that we enjoy and there is no better way to say thanks then by sharing with those in our community that are in need.   

We hear daily about the unemployment rate, about the tough times that people are having just making ends meet.  This is not foreign to us in the Downers Grove area, we to are seeing many families needing help.  We are fortunate to have many wonderful organizations here caring and providing services to those in need and these organizations need your help.  During this Holiday Season I hope that you consider sharing with the organizations that care for our neighbors and friends.  The Downers Grove Chamber web-site offers the contact information for many of the non-profits in our area that would very much appreciate your monetary donations and volunteer help.  Please check them out and give them a hand, you will be glad you did.

As we look forward into 2012 the Chamber has some great events taking place.  On January 21^st we have the first ever Stair Climb in Downers Grove.  The Wellness Resource Network has put together a great event located at the Esplanade at Locust Point.  There are 17 floors totaling 375 steps.  You can register as an individual or team.  Plus we have a reduced fee for students.  Check out the web-site and register, it should be fun and you will be a part of the first ever stair climb in Downers Grove.

Thank you for your Membership and Happy Holidays to you, your families, and your employees.  Let’s make 2012 a great year for businesses in the Downers Grove area.

 Arlene Kowalczyk

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2012 Chamber Choice Awards - It's Your Choice.  Nominate!

On February 8, 2011 the 5th Annual Chamber Choice Awards will take place at the DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove.  Nominate the best of the best in the categories of Business Excellence:  Service, Retail, Industrial, Professional; Community Contribution:  Not-for-Profit, Philanthropic; and Excellence in Education.  Applications are now available for download.

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Traditional Holiday Celebration

Join us at the Downers Grove Park District Golf Course on Thursday, December 8th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm to celebrate.  The fee for entrance is a toy, your donation to Family Shelter Service.  Delicious appetizers will be provided by Events by Tommy R's and beverages, by the Golf Course.  Join us for this festive holiday celebration.  The Chamber's YPN has several toy donation boxes around town.  ServiceMaster Restoration by DSI will once again serve as Santa's sleigh, delivering all the toys collected to Family Shelter Service.

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Downers Grove Area Chamber Attainable Futures Program for District 99 Students

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to announce the Attainable Futures program.  This program is provided by Chamber Members who are committed to this community’s workforce development. In cooperation with District 99, the Attainable Futures program was created for students to explore career opportunities and enhance the skills necessary to enter the job market.  The overall goal of the program is to introduce the business community to students and vice versa. Students will work on communications skills, interviewing, etiquette, community involvement and explore career options. Job Shadowing is an optional component of the program and students will receive recognition at a Chamber luncheon.  The first session is set to launch January 24, 2012.

If you are interested in sponsorship, student mentoring or need additional information, please contact the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry at (630) 968-4050, or visit the website at www.downersgrove.org.

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Members in the News!

Congratulations to the following Members:

• Tom Hausier has joined Illinois Business Systems as Manager of Field Service.  Click here to read more about Tom and IBS.

• Congratulations to Tom Rizzi on being named President & CEO of the Pettibone Companies.    

• Congratulations to Classic Cinemas chain of movie theatres and its owners, Willis Johnson his wife Shirley and son Chris for being recognized with the “Stewardship Award,”.  Landmarks Illinois is part of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards. This 17^th-annual event honors individuals, organizations and projects throughout the state that represent excellence in historic preservation.
• Congratulations to Donald Duncan, of D3 Financial Counselors, for being voted a 2011 Five Star Wealth Manager by Chicago Magazine.
• Congratulations to Keith Hoffman of 1st Advantage Mortgage for being named Citizen of the Year by the Indian Boundary YMCA!
• Congratulations to Spiro J. Garbis, Ameriprise Financial, for being voted a 2011 Five Star Wealth Manager by Chicago Magazine.

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Thank You Members!

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry would like to Thank the following members for their generosity and support: 

Thank you to the Downers Grove Park District for hosting our Holiday After Hours at the Golf Course, what a beautiful setting!

Thank you to Events by Tommy R's for providing appetizers for the Holiday After Hours.

Thank you to the Young Professional Network Committee for coordinating the Toy Drive which provided toys to the local Family Shelter location.

Thank you to all of the following business which sponsored Beaujolais & Beer:  Jim Russ Jr., P.C.; Concept Care Chiropractic & Wellness; Wenzel Select Properties; Community Bank of Downers Grove; DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove; Barbara's Elegant Touch Staffing, Inc.; Hamilton Partners; 90.9fm; Nuage Jewelers; Fastsigns Naperville; Sound Check Entertainment.

Thank you to the Downers Grove South Jazz Ensemble for entertaining us with their great musical talents.

Thank you to all of the vendors and restaurants that provided great tastings for Beaujolais & Beer:  Argus Brewery; Ballydoyle; Barbara's Elegant Touch Staffing, Inc.; Carlucci's; Carrabba's Italian Grill; Cheeseburger in Paradise; Events by Tommy R's; French Quarters; Grotto Italian Steakhouse;  Hooters; Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits; Melting Pot; The Olive Tap.

Thank you to Costco and Consider It Done for displaying a Retailer's tabletop during Beaujolais & Beer.

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