As we wrap up 2017, we're looking back on a year we're especially thankful for. It ushered in a lot of change for our Chamber and it couldn't have been done without the support of our membership. 

Please note that the Chamber offices will be closed this Friday December 22nd (at Noon) through Monday, January 1st. We'll be re-opening Tuesday, January 2nd to kick off the new year with a rejuvenated start!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our 19th Annual Washington County Business Awards - February 28th at The Maryland Theatre! Catch up with our announcement of finalists by visiting our website here


Have a Wonderful Holiday & Happy New Year,
             
Your Chamber Team!
In This Issue
Welcome Our New Members
Give a Warm Welcome to Some New Faces in Our Membership!
 
11 Public Square, Suite 300
Hagerstown, MD
301-791-1221

ILI
20726 Leiters Mill Road
Hagerstown, MD
Hagerstown, MD
21911 Martin Circle
Hagerstown, MD
201 Prospect Ave. #157
Hagerstown, MD
Hagerstown, MD
301-471-1273

Warehouse Tap Room
1130 Conrad Court
Hagerstown, MD
240-513-6111
Members Making News
Find Out What's New with Some of Our Members! 


Antietam Broadband Channel 99 to Air HCC Graduation Ceremonies



Antietam Broadband (formerly Antietam Cable) channel 99 is scheduled to rebroadcast the 2017 Hagerstown Community College's fall graduation ceremonies that were held on December 16, 2017.  

The broadcast schedule is as follows: 
  • Commencement: January 24, 26, 28, 31 and February 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14 at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
  • Nursing Pinning Ceremony: January 24, 26, 28, 31 and February 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14 at 1 and 7 p.m.




WDVM's Annual Tradition "Sounds of the Season" Slated for Air 

WDVM's "Sounds of the Season" returns once again this year! In place of the news broadcasts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this program showcases the finest in area high school choral and band ensembles performing holiday favorites!

December 24th: 6pm, 6:30pm, 10:00pm, 10:30pm
December 25th: 5:30am, 6:00am, 6:30am, 7:00am, 7:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm



Washington County Public Schools Students Donate to Animals for the Holidays



Washington County Public Schools participated this month in an annual program called "Home for the Holidays" to procure donations for the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC). Students of all ages collected donations and brought them into their schools for the December 20th pick-up day. 
"It's incredibly heartwarming to have students throughout the community come together once again to make the lives of animals in our care a little sweeter during the holidays," said Colin Berry, HSWC's Development Director.  
Participating schools include Marshall Street School/Job Development Program, Williamsport High, South Hagerstown High, Washington County Technical High and Eastern Elementary. The Center for Education Services has also been collecting donations.  
The Humane Society of Washington County exists to promote the welfare of companion and domestic animals through educational programs and initiatives that reduce pet overpopulation, endorse fostering, enrich adoptions, and encourage responsible pet guardianship. 


Middletown Valley Bank Presents Annual HighRock Donut Drop

Middletown Valley Bank presents the Krumpe's Donut Drop to kick off the New Year in the square of Downtown Hagerstown, complete with fireworks and live music! Join HighRock outside on the square in downtown Hagerstown for free AC&T coffee and hot chocolate, free popcorn and of course, free Krumpe's Donut Shop donuts to the first 5,000 people!

Additionally, Mid-Atlantic Sprint is hosting a warm weather clothing drive for Non-Profit of the Year Children in Need! Bring an item (jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, mittens, warm socks) for children of all ages (drop off at the designated Sprint trucks) and be registered to win a Leitersburg Cinemas golden ticket (that's free movies & concessions for a year!)
 


First United Welcomes Katherine W. Getty, Director of Business Relationships

Carissa L. Rodeheaver, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer at First United, is pleased to announce the addition of Katherine W. Getty, as Director of Business Relationships.  Ms. Getty will be working closely with business clients to provide financial services and expertise within Allegany County and Garrett County, Maryland and surrounding markets.   

Rodeheaver commented, "We are excited to welcome Kathy to the First United team.  Her wealth of knowledge and experience in these markets, as well as the banking industry, will enhance our ability to serve the local business community and to build new relationships."   

Ms. Getty brings 38 years of banking and financial services experience to the company.   Her prior experience included serving as Market President for Allegany and Garrett County, Maryland and Bedford County, Pennsylvania; Regional President and Managing Director of Retail Banking; and Vice President of Commercial Banking in Allegany County for a regional financial institution.   Prior to that she served as Credit Review Examiner, Vice Presidenand Unit Head of a Syndication Group, Loan Production Office Manager, Special Industries Group Manager as well as Manager for a Baltimore County Lending Group.  

Ms. Getty earned her Masters of Business Administration from Loyola College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from the Georgetown University School of Business Administration.

Aligning with the First United mission of supporting local communities, Ms. Getty has an extensive history of community involvement and has been a leader in numerous initiatives in our markets.  Kathy has served on many local boards throughout her career which include: Campaign Chairman for County United Way, President of the YMCA Heritage Foundation, Chairman of the City of Cumberland Economic Development Commission, Member of the Board of Education Curriculum Committee, and Chairman of The Greater Cumberland Committee. 

In recognition of her community involvement and leadership, Ms. Getty has received several awards and honors including Volunteer of the Year by County United Way, the Henrietta Schwarzenbach Civic Service Memorial Award from Dapper Dan, and she was named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women by The Daily Record and the Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Cumberland.  She also received the Community Caring Award from the United Way of Allegany County, "The Greater Good Award" from the The Greater Cumberland Committee, served as the WalkAmerica Chair for the March of Dimes and is a graduate of Leadership Maryland.

Ms. Getty resides in Cumberland with her husband, the Honorable Jeffrey S. Getty, Judge for the Allegany County Circuit Court, 4th Judicial Circuit.   


Topping Out Ceremony Held for Seton Center Outreach Project

A Topping Out Ceremony was held for Morgan-Keller's Seton Center Outreach Project on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.   The ceremony was held to celebrate the placement of the last steel beam atop the building structure, which is located at 226 East Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg, MD.   

Designed by MSB Architects of Hagerstown, MD, this project involves the construction of a new 13,000 SF building to house the Outreach Office, the Seton Family Store, and a large meeting room for workshops and presentations.   

Sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise, staffed by Sisters and lay employees who are local residents and a myriad of volunteers, the Center provides services to all members of the community.  Services are provided within the framework of the core values of the Daughters of Charity: humility, simplicity, and charity.  The Center serves more than 575 families each year.  For more information on the Seton Center, please visit setoncenter.org



Applications Available for Forward Funding Challenge

 
The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. announces the availability of applications for the second Forward Funding Challenge, which encourages local nonprofit organizations to create innovative and ongoing fundraising efforts. Organizations must be based in and serving Washington County, Maryland. The project or idea has to be new to the organization and cannot expand the capacity of programs, but instead aid in the development of a sustained funding source.

Online applications are due January 31, 2018 by 4:00 PM. The Community Foundation's selection committee will review all completed applications and choose three finalists by February 12. Finalists will present their idea at a live event on February 26 before a panel of judges similar to "Shark Tank." The winning nonprofit organization will receive $3,000 for their innovative project or idea.
The Foundation will hold two informational sessions on December 14 at 8:30 AM and December 18 at 2:00 PM at its office to answer questions on this program. Please RSVP to [email protected]  for a session by December 11th.  Visit the Community Foundation's website at cfwcmd.org for more information or to apply. 


Seven Ten Raises $1,000 for United Way of Greater Houston, TX


As they entered the holiday season, Seven Ten was encouraged to show gratitude and support for those with fewer blessings.  The staff pulled together this past month to raise money for the Greater Houston area, affected by Hurricane Harvey, which claimed lives and land when the Category 4 storm ravaged Texas this August. The aftershock of this unprecedented natural disaster resonates in the neighborhoods and families who remain displaced from their former existence.  With the support of their patrons during a special Fall promotion, they were able to raise $1,000 for the United Way of Greater Houston to recover and rebuild their own community.  

Visit Suite710.com/Events for further upcoming fundraising & community events, and learn more about this fantastic recreational destination. 



Manning Media Offering Free Marketing Info Sessions



Manning Media Lunch and Learns return to Martinsburg, WV! Their free 1-hour marketing information session returns to Shepherd University Martinsburg Center on December 14 at 11:30am. 

Small business, owner-operated and non-profits, this is a set of free information you can truly use. These sessions focus on digital marketing, social media marketing and other tools every business can use to market their business or organization.

To register for this free session that will feature insight on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), visit HERE.


Middletown Valley Bank Contributes $4,000 to Breast Cancer Awareness

BJ Goetz - President & CEO, Jim Fahey - Commercial Relationship Manager, Callie Hart - Administrative Assistant, Janet Lung - Director, Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley, Debbie Kilgore - Community Liaison, Dustin Watson - VP Commercial Sales Manager


BJ Goetz - President & CEO, Susan Grove - AVP Branch Manager, Patty Hurwitz of the Hurwitz BCA Fund, Brian Ropp - SVP, CFO, Chad Tasker - VP IT & Bank Support Services

Middletown Valley Bank recently presented a $2000 check to both the  Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund at Frederick Memorial Hospital (FMH) and  Breast Cancer Awareness- Cumberland Valley.   During the month of October, the bank ran a campaign in which they donated $10 to the cause for every new account opened that month.  Between new account donations, the race to 1000 Facebook likes and casual day employee contributions, the bank was able to contribute a total of $4000 to Breast Cancer Awareness.




Something exciting and/or notable happening within your company? Has someone done something remarkable and you think it should be shared with our extensive list of newsletter recipients? Simply excited about an upcoming event?
We're here to help you get the word out! 

Email [email protected] to be featured in our next 
Chamber Newsletter!
 
Chamber Connects News
Chamber Connects is a free professional networking group within the Chamber for select members to create opportunities for each other!
 

Interested in joining a Chamber Connects referral group??

Sometimes the best form of connection is slowly cultivated with some of the same great members over time.  It's often a nice contrast to the rest of our Chamber events! Email Tim Luipersbeck, Director of Member Services at [email protected] if interested!

To find out which industries are represented in each group, & much more:
 

 

 



Upcoming Chamber Events
Register for one of these upcoming Chamber functions!


 
Learning Lunch Hour: "Hiring"
Tuesday, January 9th - 11:30am - 1pm
Hager Hall Conference & Event Center
Hagerstown, MD 



Eggs & Issues: "Sexual Harassment Prevention in 2018: Conquering Hostility, Cultivating Mutual Respect"
Brought to you by Hagerstown Community College
Thursday, January 11th - 7:30am - 9:00am
Hager Hall Conference & Event Center
901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, MD




Maximize Your Membership
Thursday, January 18th - 9:00am - 10:00am
Chamber of Commerce Training Room, Hagerstown, MD



 
Business After Hours 
Hosted by University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH)
Thursday, January 18th, 5:00-7:00pm
32 W. Washington St.
Hagerstown, MD



The 19th Annual Washington County Business Awards
Wednesday, February 28th, 2018
The Maryland Theatre and The Schindel-Rohrer Building at 28 South Potomac

Registration Information Coming Soon!

Accident Fund - A Members-Only Benefit!
A Wright-Gardner Insurance Initiative!


 
Worker's Compensation. The Safe Way! 
Through our group pooling power, your small to mid-sized business can have access to dividends that you wouldn't otherwise obtain on your own! 

- Benefits include a 5% up-front savings on Premium
- Access to safety materials through Accident Fund's WorkSafe Toolbox TM 
- Potential to earn a dividend based on experience of the individual policy loss performance and written premium.

Accident Fund Insurance Company of America is one of the nation's leading workers' compensation insurance organizations, managing risk and minimizing loss for our policyholders, creating a safer environment for their workers and building businesses with our agent partners. All backed by the reach, knowledge and best practices of our holding company, AF Group.


Interested in joining the program? Contact
Wright Gardner Insurance at 
301-733-1234!
 
About Us
Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 600 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries:  Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education. 

We can't wait for our next opportunity to work with you, and for you! 

 

Washington County Chamber of Commerce
1 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
(301) 739-2015

 

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