2021 Board of Directors
Celeste Rayne
Derrick Elzey Vice Chair
Wes McCabe
Olive Mawyer
Sarah Yonker
Laura Morrison
Allen Duncan
Ashley Sloan Haldeman
Nancie Corbett
Donna Frankowski
Rich Cropper
Steven Sweigert
Past Chair
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To stay up on the ever changing happenings and partner news, make sure to follow us on Facebook
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Stay up to date on all our doin's. You can add your events too!
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THIS MONTH'S FEATURED PARTNERS:
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Happy New Year! I am sure I speak for everyone in the world, when I say, let's pray for a better one than 2020. January is always a month for new starts, fresh beginnings, saying goodbye to what was not in our best interest and finding what is. In this vein, let's discuss how you are taking advantage of your chamber partnership.
Businesses join a Chamber of Commerce for many reasons; to show community support, access to advertising expertise and opportunities, government level advocacy, networking, to name a few. Whatever the reason, we are here to do the best we can for you. We can't do that, however, unless we know what you need. In another uncertain year, I encourage you to stay in touch with us. What can we do specifically for your business to help you through these challenging times? Are you reading our communications? Do you know about the latest aid packages or networking opportunities? Get involved!
The new PPP assistance programs will be rolled out soon. DO NOT HESITATE! Funds will be depleted so make sure you apply ASAP. Keep an eye out for emails and Facebook posts regarding how you can learn more.
Looking back upon 2020, could you have used more advertising? Assistance with social media? Meeting a fellow chamber partner who could assist you in furthering your business's goals? That's' why we are here.
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Why are there logos and ads in the newsletter?
The first week of each month (if I'm on the ball), over 800 businesses, media outlets, community leaders and residents receive this newsletter. Do you want those eyes to see your logo or ad?
Call us! 410-641-5306
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How Can JS Strategies Help Protect Your Business and Personal Services
We are your local Essential Services Independent Broker. We help homeowners, renters, and business owners save money on services they use every day and will for the rest of their lives.
Our Essential Services include:
Wireless Phone Service
Energy (electric & natural gas)
Satellite TV
Internet (select locations)
Our other services include:
Smart Home Security
Identity Theft Protection
Credit Card Payment Processing
Why go through us? We partner with billion-dollar companies you all know and trust. They trust us and we partner together to reach people just like you. We offer discounts, savings, and promotions you won’t get by going through them directly. We are the only company in the world that offers the advantage of FREE services. In addition to that, for every new customer that comes on board with JS Strategies, a meal is donated in your local area through Project Feeding Kids in partnership with Feeding America. But that’s not all! Every month you pay your bill another meal is donated.
JS Strategies is very passionate about not only saving you money but giving back to your community. So passionate and confident, we tell you… If we can’t save you money or put you in a better place than you are currently in, don’t become our customer and we will make the meal donation.
When we started our business, we wanted to make changes in our lives and quickly realized changing others' lives in ways we can was just the best reward we could have asked for. We have had the honor of meeting customers, learning what they need, and delivering it all while really making new friends. We know 2020 has been hard on everyone and we are just blessed knowing we have done our part where we can. We want to be a part of your 2021 with our continued support from our current customers for home and business.
Sincerely,
Jacki & Nick Slonin
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For years, our neighboring Chambers have trusted and offered CQI's services to their members. We are proud to announce that your OP Chamber has partnered with CQI as well. As an energy co-op, they can offer energy at reduced rates to home and office based businesses. |
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FUN FACT: Ocean Pines is the largest population base in Worcester County.
Do they know about your company?
Advertising in the age of COVID-19 can be a tricky prospect, with many having cut their marketing budgets as the pandemic continues to hammer small businesses.
Where, then, should local small businesses look to spend their limited dollars to maximize their return and reach the largest amount of people?
Like everyone, Ocean Pines has restricted the amount we’ve spent on advertising over the last year. Since March, we’ve mainly relied on our own channels (our website and social media), as well as on our local newspapers. Supporting local businesses (such as the papers) is the right thing to do in this environment, and we’ve also found that Ocean Pines residents continue to rely on newspapers more than other media sources, like TV and radio.
We’ve found that people in Ocean Pines 1.) are avid readers and 2.) like to have something they can hold in their hands.
That’s why we’ve also continued to print our own quarterly newsletter, The Ocean Pines Report, each January, April, July, and October. Our newsletter is printed by a local business, based in Salisbury, and mailed to every Ocean Pines homeowner AND resident.
Each newsletter features fresh content about the Association and the Ocean Pines community, as well as exclusive columns from staff and local elected officials. In our winter issue, we profile a well-known local volunteer, two local U.S. Air Force veterans, and a former member of the Aquatics staff who is starting an exciting new career in New York City. We’ll also have new columns from Ocean Pines Association President Larry Perrone, Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino, Maryland State Delegate Wayne Hartman, and Maryland Senator Mary Beth Carozza.
For those reasons, we feel our Ocean Pines Report continues to be one of the best places to advertise. No other local publication – printed or otherwise – reaches as many Ocean Pines residents and homeowners.
Advertising deadlines for the Ocean Pines Report are Dec. 15 (winter issue), March 15 (spring issue), June 15 (summer and election issue), and Sept. 15 (fall issue).
Rates start at just $125 and discounts are available for those who book for a full year or four issues. To learn more, email info@oceanpines.org.
We also continue to encourage everyone in the community to subscribe to our weekly e-blast, This Week in the Pines, for regular updates on local news and events. To sign up, simply send us an email at info@oceanpines.org. We do not offer advertising opportunities in the e-blast, but we’re happy to share community events and the activities of our local nonprofits.
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Our 2020-2021
Business Directory is IN!
If you are able to offer this publication to your customers, please let us know and we will get you copies.
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Our partners renew their support on their anniversary months. The below list are those who renewed since the last edition of the Chamber Chatter. Thank you for your continued trust and support! |
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20 or more years
PNC Bank
Apple Discount Drugs
Taylor Bank
10 - 19 years
PKS Investments
AJ Financial
Atlantic General Hospital
Hileman Real Estate
Worcester County Habitat For Humanity
Custom MechanicalChesapeake Hearing Center
Shamrock Realty
Deeley Insurance
Ocean City Boat Lift and Construction
Bank of Ocean City
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5 - 9 years
Montgomery Financial Services
Atlantic Orthopedics
Delmarva Printing
1 - 4 years
Derrick Elzey Statefarm Insurance
Dunes Manor Hotel
Mermaid Tasha
Donna Frankowski/Shamrock Realty
Ferris Blinds
The Mowing Pros
Visiting Angels
Calvin B.Taylor House
Shore Grounds Maintenance
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Providing Meaningful Jobs to our Neighbors with Disabilities
Spread the love with Gifts Fulfilled where gifting feels good. Why? First, the joy you share just by sending a gift. Second, your gift helps provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. Owner, Kim Shanahan, founded Gifts Fulfilled with the goal of job creation for people who have the most trouble finding employment.
Gift baskets and care packages for get well, birthday, thank you, sympathy and special events like Valentine’s Day can all be found online at GiftsFulfilled.com. Each gift and care package has been designed to support the abilities of the team. Mrs. Shanahan was fortunate to team up with the Worcester County Development Center for adults with mental disabilities. There she was able to try out a variety of production methods with the clients of the center. This helped her learn how Gifts Fulfilled could be staffed and how the products could be produced by a team. One of the longest members of team Gifts Fulfilled came from those early days of trial and error and is still employed at the company today.
During COVID many people turned to online shopping and GiftsFulfilled.com benefited from the surge. Gifts Fulfilled care packages and gift baskets can also be found online on Amazon.com. “We are proud to be a prime partner for Amazon and shipping gift baskets for them right here from our location on Racetrack Road”, said Mrs. Shanahan. We are good friends with UPS, FedEx and the Post Office staff!
“While we love doing gifts for Amazon and online, we’d really love to get more involved right here in Worcester County”, said Mrs. Shanahan. Having been in the gift industry for over twenty years Mrs. Shanahan is an expert at creating the right gift, at the right price, for the right audience. “Let us help you spread the love to your employees or customers this Valentine’s Day with a custom gift”, said Mrs. Shanahan.
As part of supporting our community, we donate our cardboard boxes to a food pantry that recycles them for packing up weekly food kits for families. Mrs. Shanahan is also a board member of the Worcester County Development Center. She is a member of Business Network International Ocean Pines lunch chapter and just joined the Ocean Pines Chamber and cannot wait to get started on the Ambassador’s committee.
Final tip from Kim Shanahan, “Valentine’s Day is a great time to show your customers and employees some love! It’s unexpected and makes a memorable impact!” If you would like to spread the love you can reach her at Kim@GiftsFulfilled.com or via Facebook just message her through the Gifts Fulfilled Facebook page.
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