Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | February 20, 2017 | wbjournal.com OUR MEMBERS JOIN THE CHAMBER FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. Many enjoy the benefits of networking to get referrals. Others like to be "in the know"on issues critical to their business, while some look to the Chamber as their voice in government or for assistance with permitting and regulatory issues. Learn how being a chamber member can benefit your business. Join this dynamic chamber today! The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce invites you to be a part of the largest chamber in New England representing 2,300 members from all industries and all sizes across 36 cities and towns in Central Mass. WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING CHAMBER "The Chamber has been a key ally in many of our business endeavors. They have positively influenced legislative and policy initiatives to drive change and create a more business friendly environment. I can't say enough about the staff at the Chamber. Whatever we have asked, the answer is always, unequivocally, 'yes.' I recommend that any business owner in the region seriously consider joining and becoming active in the Chamber as an investment in his or her own future." – Robert Branca, Jr. Branded Management Group Join online at WorcesterChamber.org or contact Kristen Luna | 508.753.2924, ext. 241 | kluna@worcesterchamber.org Sherri Pitcher | 508.753.2924, ext. 226 | spitcher@worcesterchamber.org RECRUIT | RETAIN | INCUBATE Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce 446 Main St., Suite 200 | Worcester, MA 01608 10 ten Reason # 1 Chamber Advocacy: Working for You We are a strong voice advocating on your behalf to reduce the negative impact of regulations—at all levels of government. Visit WorcesterChamber.org for the top 10 reasons to join! Wegmans Food Markets, which has a store in Northborough, was ranked No. 2 for corporate reputation among the 100 most visible companies, according to the 2017 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study. Including Wegmans, 17 U.S. com- panies earned excellent scores, on attri- butes including financial performance and workplace environment. O N T H E M O V E Continued from previous page A C C O L A D E S & H O N O R S F R E S H B E G I N N I N G S Avidia Bank has a new location at 17 Pope St. in Hudson, which features digital displays, interactive screen technology and a social media wall. The new site has a financial center along with a community room for local groups. Another Avidia Bank is set to open in Framingham mid- year, on Cochituate Road. Anna Maria College of Paxton is hosting the Disaster Medicine Institute and a non- credit-bearing certificate program in Disaster and Counter-Terrorism Emergency Medical Service. The goal of the program is to strengthen organization- al, local, regional and national capacity to mitigate against, prepare for and respond to disasters and complex emergencies, as well as terrorist events. Disaster Restoration Services of Hopedale joined the TOMI Service Network, a network of rapid-response technicians, which will allow for better infection-control services for its clients. The disinfection services are used in cases of preventative maintenance, after renovations or for disaster cleanups. Hi-Gear Products Inc. of Hudson, a manufacturing company for the automo- tive after-market industry, has set up a strategic partnership with Dorian Drake International, an export management company. Dorian Drake will handle the company's export functions across most of the globe and help it grow in Latin America, among other spots. C H A R I T A B L E W O R K S Volunteers from Leominster Credit Union participated in one of the largest meal-packing events for United Way of North Central Mass. More than 100,000 meals were packaged by 400 volunteers for 20 local food pantries at the Double Tree by Hilton in Leominster. Benefitting pantries are in Athol, Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner, Devens, Pepperell, Templeton, Winchendon and Westminster. Pictured (from left, front row) are Nancy Daigle, Ann Younie, Meghan Thomas and Susan Landry; (middle row) Cindy Holder and Stephanie and Lucas Hyles; and (back row) Stan Hyles. Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Eastern New England has sponsored the Ronald McDonald Family Room at UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center since 2010. After an upgrade, the room was rededicated. RMHC also unveiled a new hospitality cart for patients and their families on the floor. The charity also presented a check for the medical center's pediatric asthma program. Pictured (from left) are Karen McEachern, executive director, RMHC of Eastern New England; Patrick Muldoon, president, UMass Memorial Medical Center; Monica Lowell, vice president, Community Benefits UMass Memorial; Victoria Ramos, Community Health Worker for the pediatric asthma pro- gram; Paula Wright of RMHC; Ronald McDonald; Ted Kremer, division chief, pediatric pulmonary medicine, UMass; and Kim Reckert of Community Benefits, UMass. Avidia Bank donated $1,000 to the Rise Above Foundation of Northbridge, which helps foster children participate in extracurricular activities. Pictured (from left) are Danielle Gaudette, Westborough assistant branch manager, Avidia Bank; Rhiannon Hernandez, market manager, Avidia; Sarah Baldiga, executive director, Rise Above Foundation; and Katelin Cweika, the bank's social media and brand communications manager. SpencerBANK donated $1,500 to Hearts for Heat, a nonprofit organization providing heating assistance to qualified individuals and families living in Worcester County. This donation will benefit the Spencer and Leicester area chapters of the Hearts for Heat organization. W W W

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