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Chamber News

Chamber raffle benefits scholarships

Support a college-bound high school student and get a chance to win $100 per month and $500 at Christmas by participating in the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce's raffle. There are fewer than 200 $20 tickets available. Money raised supports the Streetsboro Chamber Scholarship fund. Drawings are June 1 through May 31, 2009.

The chamber also is seeking donations to support it's scholarship fund. The scholarship will go to an individual with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and who will be majoring in business.

Business that have donated scholarship money thus far include FirstEnergy, Flexalloy Inc., Hannum Crossing, Kent Credit Union, and Streetsboro Plaza Equities.

To make a tax-deductible donation, call the chamber at 330-626-4769.

April luncheon

Join the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce April 9 at its luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc's Fr. Stenson Center, located at 8894 Route 14.

The speaker is Bob Coppedge of Simplex IT, an organization dedicated to providing information technology solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses.

Simplex-IT is a Microsoft-Certified Small Business Specialist. With him will be the Microsoft Truck, a rolling showcase of the software company's latest gadgets and business solutions.

Cost is $15 for members; $17 for non-members. Reserve a seat by calling the chamber at 330-626-4769. Separate reservations are needed to tour the Microsoft Truck, due to space.

Coffee 'N Contacts

Coffee 'N Contacts, an opportunity to drink some free coffee and meet business people, meets every other Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Arabica, located at Liberty Corners Plaza on Market Square Drive, just off Route 43.

Coffee 'N Contacts meets April 15 and 29.

Supernetworking event

On April 25 at 7:30 a.m., Portage County chambers of commerce are hosting a supernetworking breakfast at the Bertram Inn in Aurora. Cost is $10.

The Bertram Inn is located at 600 N. Aurora Road in Aurora.

To register, call 330-626-4769.

Women in Business

Women in Business' luncheon will take place April 30 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church. Pat Giambrone, owner of Giambrone Construction Co., will be the featured speaker. She will speak on the challenges and rewards of being a woman in the construction field.

Call 330-626-4769 to RSVP.

Our Lady's Gifts
in new hands

Laura Lewis and her mother, Terri Moore, recently purchased Our Lady's Gifts, a religious book and gift store, located at 9889 Route 43.

"We've changed a lot inside," said Lewis. "It's cleaner, brighter, and we're bringing in a lot more things."

Most stores in the area like this one have closed, including one in Aurora Farms and one in Twinsburg, so Our Lady's Gifts is providing a service that is fast disappearing, said Lewis.

Our Lady's Gifts was previously owned by Madeline Bingaman for six or seven years. She had been planning to close it when Lewis and Moore purchased it.

The store is open 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and each Saturday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

Credit union helps
out animals

Kent Credit Union employees Kathy Oostdyk and Connie Edwards spearheaded the Kent Credit Union's recent drive to benefit "furry friends" at the Portage Animal Protective League.

The staff in the credit union's four locations partnered with membership by donating items and cash to be used for the survival of PAPL animals.

The successful drive netted many items -- dog and cat food, kitty litter, blankets, rugs, leashes, collars, paper towels, latex gloves, cleaning supplies, rags, towels, tons of toys-- and more than $400 in cash.

"Thank you for sponsoring the animals at the shelter by raising funds and collecting items. We are very grateful for your hard work and generosity," said Sheila Vandergriff, executive director of the APL.

The PAPL shelters and finds safe homes for sick, injured, abused, and abandoned domestic animals that are in need of help. There is no limit to the length of time a healthy and adoptable animal can stay at the shelter until a safe home is found.

To learn more about the PAPL, visit www.portageapl.org.

Coleman offering
breakfasts

Community members and business professionals are welcome to learn more about behavioral health, mental illness, and Coleman Professional Services and by attending "Ambassador Breakfasts." The breakfasts take place monthly. The meetings will be an opportunity to network with other community members, enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast, and learn about mental illness in hopes of creating awareness in the community.

To RSVP, call 330-676-6844. Upcoming breakfast dates are:

* May 15; 8:00 a.m. 5982 Rhodes Road, Kent

* June 26; 8 a.m. 6695 N. Chestnut Street, Ravenna.