I believe we all are beginning to breathe a little easier and let out small sigh of relief. The vaccinations are finally beginning to take hold and while there is still an awful lot to be done, at least the vaccination process has begun.
Now as much as ever, we all need to be a bit patient and wait for the vaccination process to reach full maturation. Which means, continue to use our common sense and keep our masks on when necessary, keep our distance and continue with the cleanliness of washing our hands. Continuing to do all of this will help get many more of our local businesses back up and running and hopefully soon onto a full recovery.
Additionally, as things improve it will be nice to have the opportunity to return to our more traditional Chamber activities. In-person meetings are the back bone of what we like to host and support here at the Chamber. Be it, networking, educational/informational seminars or even our fundraising activities. It brings us all together and creates the bonds that increase the value of your Chamber membership.
As you are all aware, the Monthly Breakfast Club networking is one of my favorites. This month’s meeting was another strong opportunity to catch up with one another (even if it was on a zoom platform). There was one last minute change where Carly filled in during my absence. Based upon the feedback I received, I may just have been supplanted as the Breakfast Host. However, whatever happens it demonstrated the strength of those members committed to supporting this once a month networking opportunity.
February was a busy time, as we participated and supported a number of educational and informative zoom sessions throughout the month.
We are pleased to that two Chamber members were awarded $2,000 grants for participating in the Towns “Digital Marketing Webinar Training” offered by Erin Kokinda, the Community and Economic Development Director. Congratulations to our friends at Holiday Travel and Move2Joy!!
We again participated and offered a few Multi-Chamber educational events and some Social Networking opportunities during the month. At the Chamber, we also continue to provide you with information on educational sessions offered by our business partners at SCORE, while supplying a constant stream of updates from the SBA on PPP and other programs including regular COVID updates from state and local health officials.
We welcomed Baystate Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, a new Chamber member, with a ribbon cutting. They are located on Lowell Street here in Wakefield and once again neither the weather nor COVID could prevent us from hosting a socially safe event for them.
Looking ahead, we have a couple of events up our sleeves for you. Stay tuned! In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars for our zoom pre - St. Patrick’s Day Networking Event on Tuesday March16th at 4:30 pm. Join us for our first “Chamber go Bragh” St .Patrick’s celebration with our guest hosts Lisa and Dan from Harrington’s Irish Pub. Click below to register and join in on the St. Patrick’s Day fun!
Please pay attention to the joint education effort on behalf of the Chamber and the Town of Wakefield ….
WEAR A MASK – WASH YOUR HANDS – WATCH YOUR DISTANCE
Hope to see many of you again soon,
John
