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ChamberWorks
» How You Can Help Tsunami Victims
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Browse past news items in the ChamberWorks Archive
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Fairfield Chamber member Nataraj Dasgupta of Restoremagic, LLC urges all of us to contribute to relief efforts in South Asia. It's believed that more than 150,000 people have been killed by the devastating Indian Ocean tsunamis that struck on Dec. 26, and survivors are faced with destroyed homes, shortages of food and water, and the looming threat of disease.
One way you can help is by making a donation to the American Red Cross's International Response Fund. Donations may be directed to the Southeastern Fairfield County Chapter:
American Red Cross
158 Brooklawn Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06604-2012
Attn: Lyn McCarthy
Specify that your donation is for Asian relief. The Red Cross will apply 100% of the money received directly to tsunami aid efforts.
Update: USAID has an extensive list of organizations involved with the tsunami relief effort.
Holiday Cheer and Charity at the Circle Diner
The Chamber threw a holiday party for 60 people at the Circle Diner Dec. 20, and if you weren't there you really missed a good one.
Hosts Gus Tsifides and Dmitri Alatakis went way out of their way to make it a warm and cozy evening, with kabobs, puff pastries, crudite, and free beer and wine for all. And attendees were just as generous as we collected donations for Operation Hope.
Santa Pulls Into Town and Fairfield Rolls Out Red Carpet
We really lucked out weather-wise for Santa's Arrival on Saturday, Nov. 27. While it rained a few day before and a couple of days after Santa made his appearance, not a single drop fell on Sherman Green on the 27th. It was 52 degrees and sunny with a gentle wind out of the South -- a far cry from last year's 50 mph gusts.
People were organized and set up on time. Lines formed by 9:30 as predicted. Because people cooperated and did as they were told, chaos did not rule. Volunteers showed up and did their job. In fact, we had more help this year than in year's past, which allowed everyone to have a good time.
The balloon brigade blew up and distributed so many balloons so quickly that they ran out of helium by 12:30 p.m. Pat Durner and Cindi Hjerpe were in charge of picture-taking and they got some really great shots. Tony Hwang's team did a bang-up job of managing the horse and buggy rides. Omar the Tent Man -- oops, I mean Kevin Lally -- is always so reliable. He showed up a 7:45 a.m. and was having so much fun that he hung around to direct the balloon brigade.
A special treat this year was the cook-out manned by the Kiwanis Club. The General Gingerbread Contractors sold out and all monies went to the Bridgeport Hospital pediatric unit. Cookies and baked goods were in abundance. The Wakeman Boys and Girls Club was busy keeping the littlest kids busy with games, arts and crafts. And let me also say that Henri Fatigate and Eric Perkins were the perfect Rudolf and Frosty.
Gary Crystal (JP Travel), aka Santa Claus, deserves a paragraph all his own. Gary has given his time to this event for many years now. No one does it better. And even though Gary is dying to take off the itchy beard and fat suit, put his feet up and have a cup of coffee, he stays until the very last child has given his/her list.
I could go on and on about how terrific this day was. It exceeded all expectations. We even got some face time on the 5 p.m. Channel 12 news. So if you missed the event, be sure to come next year -- it's always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Giving back to your community is a great way to say thanks for all that we enjoy as citizens of this great land called America.
Patricia L. Ritchie
President
JetBlue's David Neeleman Draws a Crowd
You could not have asked for a more picture-perfect November afternoon; a lunch-time drive along the scenic Norwalk shoreline, golfers on the links, and a wonderful presentation by David Neeleman, Chairman and CEO of JetBlue Airways Corp.
Two hundred people attended the event at The Shorehaven Golf Club, presented cooperatively by the Fairfield, Darien, Wilton, and Westport/Weston Chambers of Commerce. Kevin Lally, publisher of Brooks Community Newspapers, was the coordinator and emcee for the afternoon program.
Mr. Neeleman's presentation not only encompassed the rise to success of JetBlue Airways, but his personal achievements and values that helped to build a successful company. At the conclusion of his presentation, as a surprise to the audience, a number of names were drawn from the business cards collected, and the winners will receive JetBlue airline tickets! Congratulations to those winners.
Seminar Proposals Wanted for Business Showcase 2005
Members who would like to present a seminar or panel discussion at the May 18 Business Showcase need to submit their proposals by 5 pm on Jan. 28. Five openings are available for the 45-minute sessions.
This is an educational program, not a platform to sell products or services. You must be a Chamber member to present a seminar or sit on a panel, and those who presented last year are not eligible.
Cost is $50 with a booth, $100 without a booth. Your proposal must include:
- Title
- 50-word description (used in Showcase marketing pieces)
- Contact information
Submit your proposal to nancie@greatervalleychamber.com or fax to 203-925-4984.