December 2020 E-Newsletter |
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Upcoming Chamber Events
Please join us ...
and check Member News below for events our members have in early December!
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Thursday, December 3
Healthcare Network Group
Friendship Circle
Join us via Zoom from 8:30 - 10:00 am
If your business is associated with the healthcare industry please join us as this group will share information & education, pass referrals and help promote the overall well-being of healthcare related businesses within our Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
Currently hosted as virtual events, we will resume rotating to different group member locations each month when we are able.
Presenters: Randall Hutchinson and Yarden Blumstein, Friendship Circle
Topic: Overview of Friendship Circle and the UMatter Program
UMatter is a program focused on empowering teens to shatter the stigmas surrounding mental health challenges and suicide. It operates within the Friendship Circle family and is led by Teen Director Rabbi Yarden Blumstein. After recognizing a need for a larger discussion about mental health in the Detroit community, Friendship Circle created a teen advisory board to work on projects that would go on to create an atmosphere of inclusion within the community.
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Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Friday, December 4
1st Friday Virtual Coffee Connect
Hosted by Sector 7, LLC
Guest Speaker
8:30 - 9:30 am
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BYOCoffee and log in to this virtual mixer!
This month’s host will be Sector 7, LLC. This chamber member business specializes in IT Support and will share information about new tools and resources available that can make your life in our “virtual world” easier! Grab your coffee and plan to log in with others who want to know the IT truth that’s out there …
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Monday, December 21
Multi-Chamber EOS® Working Group
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Join us via Zoom
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Join this newly formed group made up of Novi and Lakes Area Chambers members, who meet monthly with professional EOS® Implementer™ Richard Price of 2elate to share their EOS® knowledge and to learn more. It's open to current EOS® users and those interested in learning more about EOS®.
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Enjoy your holidays!
The Chamber office will be closed
December 24th - 25th and
December 31st - January 1st
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We remained mostly virtual during the month of November but have offered numerous opportunities to connect to network, educate and support one another both personally and professionally. |
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NOVEMBER 5 - HEALTHCARE NETWORK GROUP MEETING
Thanks to Candie Hovarter and Cassidy Wormsbacher, Meals on Wheels of Livingston & Western Oakland County, for the great presentation at our Healthcare Network Group Meeting. They certainly do great work taking care of our seniors and it was terrific to hear more about their program. Their passion and enthusiasm was heartwarming and a great way to start our day!
Thanks to the continued support of our own members, the LACC will be making a donation of $500 to support the Western Oakland Meals on Wheels outreach for the coming holiday season.
If you are interested in donating or volunteering, contact Meals on Wheels - 810-632-2155, Volunteer Coordinator Lucy and/or Karen, email [email protected], or Candie Hovarter - Outreach Director 517-375-3598 - cell.
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NOVEMBER 5 - RIBBON CUTTING FOR WESTERN OAKLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (WOTA)
Super way to start our day ... thanks to everyone who joined in the celebration.
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NOVEMBER 6 - 1ST FRIDAY COFFEE CONNECT HOSTED BY LAFONTAINE SUBARU OF COMMERCE TOWNSHIP
Great way to start our Friday with a LaFontaine Subaru Virtual Coffee Connect! A big thank you to Audrey Ryskamp, Business Marketing Representative for hosting and for all you do!
The LaFontaine Automotive Group has been a longtime LACC member and a HUGE supporter of not only the Chamber but numerous other activities in and around our communities. We appreciate your continued support and all that you do to give back!
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MID-NOVEMBER - PPE TOOLKIT DISTRIBUTION
We're out and about delivering PPE Toolkits ... stopped by Trail's Edge Café to drop one off and learned they are still available for curbside pickup AND discovered they are now offering Chocolate Chip Waffles!!!
to keep their team and their customers safe too. Also open for curbside carryout.
And another stop at M J Rygiel - State Farm in Wixom who can help you over the phone with your insurance needs.
We still have toolkits left ... let us know if you need one ...
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NOVEMBER 19 - 3RD THURSDAY COFFEE CONNECT HOSTED BY AT&T WIXOM |
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Our thanks to Chad Ever and Justin Mondoux from AT&T Wixom for hosting an awesome
3rd Thursday Coffee Connect. Great info about NEW products and services plus our lucky scavenger hunt air pod winner was pretty happy too!
They've got all the proper safety protocols in place so stop by or give a call today.
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Sue Vanderwill
Huron Valley State Bank
248.684.9626
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Our Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board President Sue Vanderwill is our December Spotlight!
As the Vice President Regional Manager for Huron Valley State Bank, you will often find her out in the community with “boots on the ground” looking to enhance business financial relationships with services that her bank provides. She prides herself on learning the history of a business, recognizing where they are today and then helping them achieve their forward thinking business goals. She feels adamantly that the success of local commerce is crucial to building strong communities to draw residents, which then comes full circle with residents supporting the local businesses.
As a long time chamber member, Sue has held several positions. Currently, she is LACC President, Government Affairs Committee Chair, Nomination/By-Law Committee Chair, Rockin Under the Stars Committee Chair and Finance Committee Member. Along with those committee events, you can also find her at ribbon cuttings, 1st Friday and 3rd Thursday Coffees, Spotlight Lunches and many other mixer opportunities, always trying to learn how the members are doing, offering to help them with banking and connecting people by warm handoffs to fellow chamber members. Her chamber motto is “If it’s not fun, I’m not doing it!”, so she is determined to bring excitement and good vibes when she is around.
Vanderwill resides in White Lake Township with her husband Ray of 26 years, their 22 year old daughter Emily, 14 year old son Michael and six year old pup Lily. Sue loves to immerse herself and her family in the communities in which they live, work and play. She coaches three sports on Team Huron Valley Special Olympics and organizes the team special events. She is Vice President of the White Lake Historical Society and facilitates the Social Club of White Lake Special Needs Group. With her children, she annually walks in the Walk To End Alzheimers, conducts a drive for toiletries, coats and socks twice a year for the Michigan Veteran’s Foundation and annually collects blankets and rugs for Michigan Humane Society. When asked why she is so committed to the community and how her kids respond to it all, she said “I believe with all my heart we need to leave this world better than we found it. My kids have grown up understanding that as a family, we have a job to do here to make a difference together. We need to be the change …. the example.”
Among the many organizations to which Vanderwill dedicates herself, she has a true love for the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our chamber board and our members are my community collaborators, but they are even more than that. We have a very diverse board and membership, with different business fields, ages, cultures and lifestyles. However when I pause at our board meetings or various mixers to look around the venue, I see something special and different. This organization, these people are my chamber family and I truly value the relationships I’ve developed with each person. We celebrate each other’s successes and we lift each other up when we are down. This group of people help me grow as a person, inspiring me to be the best I can be. I consider myself very fortunate to be a member of the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.”
And we are so blessed to have Sue in our lives! - Laura, Pam, Michele
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Our Newest Chamber Members |
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The Accounting Office, Inc.
Colleen Schultz - 248.449.9600
Northville 48167
Mathnasium of Commerce
Phillip Hendrix - 248.880.6798
Farmington Hills 48335
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WellCare
Kyle Ingraham - 313.701.1243
Detroit 48226
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American House Milford
Nina Schrock - 248.676.2121
Member Since 2018
American House West Bloomfield
Mallory Mock - 248.538.5283
Member Since 2019
Avon Beauty Center Waterford LLC
Kim Szegi - 248.674.2208
Member Since 2016
Center for Performance Arts
and Learning
Nandita Bajaj - 248.207.4838
Member Since 2018
CrossPoint Community Church
Pastor Ken Warren - 248.624.1821
Member Since 2016
Drafting Table Brewing Company
Aaron Rzeznick - 248.956.7279
Member Since 2017
DTE Energy
Jennifer Whitteaker - 313.235.9282
Member Since 2017
Friendship Circle
Randall Hutchinson - 248.788.7878
Member Since 2019
G.E.B. Collision, Inc
Geoff Bennett - 248.926.9373
Member Since 2016
Insurance Advisors
John Walker - 248.363.5746
Member Since 1982
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Keller Williams Realty -
The Stockton Team
Steve & Janet Stockton - 248.366.7200
Member Since 1998
Lakes Electric
Casey Meyer - 248.274.4261
Member Since 2019
LegalShield
Jim Szegi - 248.887.0728
Member Since 2008
Michigan Clear Water, LLC
John Alban - 248.924.3550
Member Since 2017
Music By One For All
Tola Lewis - 248.669.1478
Member Since 2013
Oakland Community College
Daniel Jenuwine - 248.341.2000
Member Since 1983
Shelby, Dobb, Sager & Thorpe, PLC
Jill Shelby - 248.714.8882
Member Since 1980
Triumph Physical Therapy
Tom Gonzales - 947.800.7117
Member Since 2016
Villa at Green Lake Estates
Kawana Lewis - 248.387.4700
Member Since 2017
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order that enacts a three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities in an effort to curb rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rates.
The order will be effective at 12:01 a.m.
Wednesday, November 18 through Tuesday, December 8
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Hungry?
Our local member restaurants need your support ... pick up something yummy to go!
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There are SO MANY terrific Community Organizations
we are proud to call Lakes Area Chamber members!
Many of them could use your support this holiday season through various types of contributions and volunteer efforts.
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Utilizing your windows gives businesses a great opportunity to highlight their products outside in a big way. These customer provided graphics are vibrant, colorful, and informative. They really put on display exactly what they have to offer!
Don't forget, with our window perf options you don't have to sacrifice light for graphics. We offer 50/50 and 80/20 perforation for those who just want to dim the sunlight coming into your office or offer some more security from those looking in.
Interested in adding some graphics to your business? We can help!
Signarama - Novi ... 248-924-3324
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IGD Solutions
9340 Dixie Highway
Clarkston, MI 48348
248-625-0817 Phone
248-575-4121 Fax
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Please join us for a LIVE Webinar on
Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Getting your Sales Team Ready for 2021 In a Pandemic
OVERVIEW
Join Glenn Nixon of BlueWater Sales Advisors and Steve Hyer of IGD Solutions Corp as they discuss getting the sales team ready for a successful 2021 in the midst of a pandemic. This live webinar will cover Communicating with Clients and how that needs to adapt with more virtual options. We will talk through how to manage a sales team in a potential virtual environment and how you forecast in an unprecedented sales environment and what kind of tools you can use to stay current and keep that sense of team. We will talk about how a CRM has never been more important and we will end the webinar by talking through how closing sales has changed with COVID-19. We will have time for live Q & A at the end as well.
Topics Include:
Communication with Clients
Current Meeting Options/Types/Tools
Website/Social Media Messaging
Managing the Sales Team
Forecasting
Communication Tools
CRM
Closing Sales in a Pandemic
Live Questions & Answers
REGISTRATION
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Steve Hyer has a great passion for helping others and making the community and the world a better place to live and raise a family. IGD Solutions was founded by Steve in 1999 as an educational content company and that quickly transitioned in 2000 to a company that did website work for other companies just as the Internet and World Wide Web were becoming popular in the mainstream. Steve chose Clarkston, Michigan as the place to locate IGD Solutions because of the close knit, but yet still welcoming community. Under Steve’s leadership, IGD Solutions has diversified its offerings, gone through four successful acquisitions, and reached and maintained profitability. Steve has always stressed the importance of speaking plain English and relating everything we do as a company back to the business benefit of our customer. Always putting the customer first and truly taking care of our customers’ needs allowed us to grow a very large and successful base of long term customers. President@ IGD Solutions Corporation
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Glenn Nixon is the founder of Bluewater Sales Advisors LLC, bringing nearly 30 years of sales and sales leadership experience to small and medium businesses. Deploying Sales Xceleration's proven sales platform, business owners consistently experience breakthrough sales effectiveness and efficiency, dramatically boosting top line sales and business performance.
Prior to joining Sales Xceleration, Glenn served in sales and sales leadership roles at various and diverse companies in engineering and technical markets, driving double-digit top line sales growth in highly competitive environments. He also has significant experience assisting business owners with complex contracts and legal challenges related to sales. Glenn is expert at consistently applying proven sales processes and best practices, ensuring reliable and sustainable sales growth and business results. Founder @Bluewater Sales Advisors LLC
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Give Local on Giving Tuesday
In a year full of unique challenges, giving back has become more important than ever for communities, individuals and organizations. Your support for the causes and programs you love can make a world of difference.
December 1st marks #GivingTuesday, an annual global celebration of generosity and giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Will you join us in ensuring families in our community have enough food this winter by donating? Our $2,000 goal can't happen without your generosity and support.
You can help your neighbors!
- $25 can help us provide a supply-filled backpack to a student heading back to school;
- $50 can provide two local children with gifts for the holidays;
- $100 can provide a family with a cart full of groceries;
- $250 can repair the brakes on a car so that someone can get to work.
Sending warm wishes for this holiday season,
The staff and the Board of Directors of Hospitality House Food Pantry
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The Walled Lake Masons volunteered to host a blood drive with the American Red Cross on December 3rd & 4th!
The blood supply is at the lowest its ever been and the need is critical. Red Cross COVID precautions and procedures will be in place for a safe, healthy blood drive - for donors and ultimate recipients.
Consider donating if you can - click this link to schedule a convenient time slot:
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Managing Ourselves – Free Virtual Training
Featuring: Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
December 3 | 1:00PM – 3:00PM (EST)
Express Employment Professionals of Michigan invites you to join us for a special free virtual training featuring Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses.
In this thought-provoking workshop, Ari shares the reasons behind his belief that the effectiveness with which we manage ourselves will almost always make or break the rest of the work we do. Ari will also introduce the audience to techniques he has honed over the years to manage himself with ever greater effectiveness. This workshop is guaranteed to insightfully engage just about any audience and leave them inspired and eager to focus on themselves as the next step to elevating any endeavor they might be engaged in, be it a business or a cause or a personal goal.
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Free Food Delivery Launched for Seniors and Disabled through Two Local Pantries
A new food delivery service for seniors and disabled adults is now available for the Highland, Walled Lake, Waterford and White Lake communities.
Two nonprofit organizations have partnered with the Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA) to create a free, no-contact service that brings food to the doorsteps of those in need. Interested participants can sign up for the program through the Hospitality House in Commerce Township or Open Door Outreach Center in Waterford.
“Open Door provides food, crisis support, vouchers for our Resale Store to over 8,000 people a year in 10 communities of the Lakes Area. We have a partnership with Spirit of Grace Church for food delivery that stopped during Covid,” Karen Myers, Executive Director of the center, said. “Open Door started to provide this service in-house. It is becoming difficult as we are discovering more people in need of food delivery. They simply are afraid to leave their house as many of our clients are vulnerable, elderly or have health challenges.”
The food boxes can be delivered either bi-weekly or monthly. Eligible participants can also use the service to coordinate transportation to medical appointments, or other transportation needs, for $2.50 per stop or $5 for a round trip.
“WOTA has been working through COVID. As an essential business, we provide low-cost, fully-accessible transportation services to our riders daily. What we found is that lack of transportation can present a major barrier to assistance,” Kim Viener, Director of WOTA, said. “In working with Hospitality House and Open Door, we were made aware of the severity of the situation. These two amazing organizations work hard to provide food but if you can’t get it to the client, then you have a problem.”
The program is open to those 55 and older and adults with disabilities age 18 and over.
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Phase II of Free Home Delivery Grocery Service for Older Oakland County Adults is Coming Dec. 1
Phase I of the Oakland Together Grocery Delivery for Older Adults program – which provides a year’s free home delivery grocery service to thousands of senior adults in Oakland County was an unbelievable success – we ran out of free subscriptions in just days.
We’re thrilled to offer Phase II – for 7,000 more adults age 60 and over – beginning Dec. 1 for those who missed out on the first session. Interested residents must sign up by Dec. 10 at www.oakgov.com/covid/grants/shipt to receive a registration code and redeem it by Dec. 20. The membership entitles you to free delivery for orders over $35. A $7 delivery fee is added if the order total is less than $35. The buyer must provide Shipt with credit card information to process payment as well as taxes and optional gratuities.
Oakland County is providing a free membership for as many as 15,000 senior adults throughout the county to limit their exposure to COVID-19. It allows them to shop online for daily essentials such as food, pet supplies and household items and have free same-day home delivery from a variety of local stores.
The service is through Shipt and normally costs $99 annually. Only the delivery is free. The ordered items must be paid for online using a credit or debit card.
For Phase I seniors who already received their code, THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU: Please visit www.shipt.com/offer and register your code with Shipt as soon as possible. You must register the code to receive the free service. Once you register, you can start shopping immediately.
Registration assistance is available by calling the Oakland County Help Hotline weekdays from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at 248-858-1000.
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This training will introduce Radical Candor as a model to find the “sweet spot” between obnoxious and soft-toeing around courageous conversations. Knowing how to be “candid with care” builds trust in manager/report relationships, empowers employees to focus on issues and creates a culture of open communication. Participants will walk away understanding where they fall in the model, the barriers that keep us from being fully candid and the impact when we use radical candor.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify barriers that keep us from having courageous conversation
- Review the Radical Candor Model
- Identify barriers keeping us from receiving feedback
- HHIPPP – a courageous conversation strategy
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Online Platform: Zoom.us
Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Cost: $125, includes live virtual training, downloadable participant guide, and additional resources.
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Oakland County launches at home flu shots for older adults
Oakland County Health Division launched a new program to vaccinate homebound residents 65 years and older for influenza in their homes. Appointments are required - call the Health Division’s Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to schedule.
“This important service will help remove barriers for our most at-risk residents to receive a flu shot this season,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “Getting a flu shot is more important than ever this year since both flu viruses and COVID-19 will be present in our community.”
Flu and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however the flu vaccination has many other benefits:
- Helps prevent flu illness
- Reduces risk of flu-associated hospitalizations
- Has been shown to reduce severity of illness if you do get the flu
- Protects you and the people around you including those more vulnerable to the disease
Public Health Nurses will visit residents’ home during a designated appointment time. Nurses can provide individuals 65 years and older a senior higher dose or regular flu shot.
“Flu vaccination is very important this year to help reduce respiratory illnesses and avoid overwhelming the healthcare system. Research is suggesting that the risk of death may double in those 60 years and older if they are infected with both flu and COVID-19,” said Dr. Russell Faust, Oakland County Medical Director. “Wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing not only to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but also flu.”
Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and Blue Care Network, and additional insurances. No one will be denied access to services due to lack of insurance; there is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available.
For up-to-date information, visit www.oakgov.com/health, follow the Health Division on Facebook and Twitter @publichealthOC, or call the Health Division’s Flu Shot Hotline at 800-434-3358. Nurse on Call is also available to answer questions at 800-848-5533, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Providing help that sweats every detail.
Consumers Energy is offering Energy Efficiency Solutions to help your business financially succeed while maintaining safety protocols. Learn more about customized solutions for your business. Contact an Energy Advisor at 877-607-0737 or schedule your free appointment at ConsumersEnergy.com/chamber.
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Chamber Member Michele Sweeney of Kitchen Tune-Up wants you to know they have gift certificates available in denominations up to $500 – good towards any Kitchen Tune-Up service, organizers, or decorative hardware! |
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New Member Offer
At Sam’s Club, we realize that in today’s environment it may not be advisable to hold live membership drives with your employees at your physical location. Therefore, we have been authorized to provide you with the special new member offer below that you can give to your employees as a special benefit. This offer should be distributed through company channels and is only good for employees of your company.
· Instant Savings offer is loaded onto new membership account within 72 hours of membership activation and is valid for 60 days.
· Offer must be redeemed in one single transaction in a club location and on a register.
· Offer cannot be used on SamsClub.com, with Scan & Go or with Club Pickup.
· Offer ends January 31, 2021. Exclusions apply, see website for details.
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Ask your body which foods and supplements it wants in this on-demand class!
$12.99 intro price! ($94.99 value) Coupon Code: FALLDEAL
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Left: (L to R) James McQueen, Community Outreach Manager at Lighthouse and Theresa Doan of Genisys Credit Union
Genisys Credit Union raises $12,178 for
Lighthouse’s Thanks & Giving Campaign
In November, the team at Genisys Credit Union launched a campaign with their employees to raise funds for Lighthouse’s annual Thanks & Giving Campaign. The initiative raised $12,178, which will allow Lighthouse to purchase turkeys for all the families they serve to have a Thanksgiving dinner this year.
“We recognize the strain the global pandemic is putting on our communities, but I am forever moved by and grateful for the team at Genisys for coming together to raise funds to support our community partners,” said Jackie Buchanan, President & CEO of Genisys Credit Union. “I applaud Lighthouse for going above and beyond during this time to ensure their neighbors are given resources and taken care of.”
The team at Genisys raised the funds through an employee match program to cover the cost of turkeys which will be doubled by Meijer, as part of their Simply Give program, for a grand total of 2,432 turkeys for families in need this holiday season. Meijer started their Simply Give program in 2008 to help local food pantries fulfill their mission of feeding those struggling with food insecurity.
"We are thrilled that Lighthouse will be able to provide Thanksgiving meals for more families than ever before, thanks to the support of Genisys Credit Union,” said Ryan Hertz, Lighthouse President & CEO. “Genisys employees joined together to raise enough funds to provide turkeys for hungry Oakland County families; quite a generous act, and one worthy of celebration during a uniquely difficult year."
“We are elated to be able to bring back some sense of normalcy as families celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Buchanan. “A special ‘thank you’ to Meijer for doubling the donations.”
The credit union has been proud to make a year-to-date contribution of $25,000 to Lighthouse in order to support their mission of responding to poverty by building communities that work to end homelessness and helping people move from crisis towards self-sufficiency. It is a mission of Genisys to be the community support and give back to the areas they serve through time and resources for a long-lasting impact of community wellness and betterment.
About Genisys Credit Union:
Genisys Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution that has been committed to helping its members financially since 1936. Based out of Auburn Hills, MI, the credit union is the fourth largest in Michigan with over 225,000 members and 32 branch locations. For more information visit www.genisyscu.org
About Lighthouse:
Headquartered in Pontiac, Lighthouse MI was established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter merged, bringing together more than 75 years of experience serving impoverished metro Detroiters. The new Lighthouse provides a stronger collective response to homelessness and poverty, offering a broad range of services to help individuals and families including a rotating emergency shelter program with 67 partner congregations and Oakland County’s only five-day-per-week food pantry, serving 9,000+ people annually. To learn more, visit: https://lighthousemi.org
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From West Bloomfield Parks -
The following changes have been enacted in response to the latest mandates from MDHHS:
Cancellations
- Some programs scheduled to happen prior to December 9th, such as Open Hours and Mommy and Me Hikes, will be cancelled.
- Individual family experiences such as Letters to Santa and parking lot games for seniors will still run with some added precautions.
- All events require pre-registration so you will be notified if there are any changes to a particular program you’ve registered for.
Customer Service
- Reduced customer service hours from 10am-2pm through December 8. Regular hours will resume December 9. The office is open by appointment only during those times.
- Dog Park registration will begin December 1 but will be completed via email this year with contactless (fob) pick up.
Transportation
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We are limiting ridership to one rider per trip.
- Exceptions to this rule are riders from the same household and riders who have medical conditions that require a helper.
- We will still schedule medical and non-medical destinations such as: grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping centers, hair and nail salons and gyms. However, we will no longer schedule restaurant trips.
Parks
- Playgrounds, the skate park and basketball courts will remain open, pending the weather as usual.
- Pickleball and tennis court nets will likely come down this week, as previously scheduled.
- Porta johns remain available at the Dog Park, Drake Sports Park and the Arrowhead Trailhead and bathrooms remain open at Marshbank Park.
For more information and resources, please visit our COVID-19 page at the link below:
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At Hospitality House, we believe that
every child deserves a gift at the holidays.
Because of your generous support over the years, Santa Shop is in its 19th year of providing holiday gifts for the children of Hospitality House Food Pantry clients. Can you help us continue this tradition in 2020?
Due to an abundance of caution surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Santa Shop planning team has been forced to reevaluate our event. While the traditional trimmings and personal contact with our clients will drastically change, we are working diligently and creatively to bring the holiday spirit to every child!
Each and every contribution will help put a gift into the hands of a child, smiles on many faces and warm the hearts of our families and our volunteers alike.
We are grateful for your continued support of Hospitality House and Santa Shop. The number of families we serve has grown significantly in 2020. Without the kindness and generosity of our community, we could not support so many struggling families during this difficult time. Lakes Area, you are making a difference!
Santa Shop brings so much joy to the families that Hospitality House serves. Without our community, it just wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for your support!
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Adopt a Family
Open Door would like to thank our past Christmas Adoption Sponsors and ask for your consideration in sponsoring a family for the 2020 Holiday Season. Due to Covid-19 this year only we are only accepting and giving store gift cards.
Open Door has continued to serve and not closed its Food Pantry, however the resale store has closed earlier in the year and we are down 50% on volunteers in both areas. It has been a difficult year for all of us and especially for our low-income families and elderly.
Many of our families are destitute. These gifts are their only Christmas/Holiday gifts. Please be generous. We ask that you, minimally, spend at least $50 per person. Instructions for gifting the adoptive family program follow:
· Please provide $25 gift cards from Meijer or Target or Walmart. This way the recipients can purchase food, clothing or toys. A family will get $150 in cards and seniors $50.
· We require that all gift cards be dropped off at Open Door Outreach Center on December 8th between 10am and 4pm.
Due to Covid-19, this year you will not be getting a wish list and shopping for your family. It just isn’t possible with our limited staff. We are hoping to resume our regular Adopt A Family Program with wish list and direct shopping next year. Until then please consider providing gift cards to those less fortunate this Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your heart this holiday season with a family in need. Wishing all of us a wonderful new year. Have the Happiest of Holidays!
Blessings & Thank you,
Karen L Myers, Executive Director, Open Door Outreach Center
7170 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford MI 48327
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If you drive westbound on I-96 between Wixom Road and Milford Road you will see the Coalition's electronic billboard running the second week of every month!
The Lakes Area Community Coalition is partnering with coalitions from Novi, Huron Valley and South Lyon to bring a monthly positive billboard message campaign to our communities.
We will be addressing positive community norms around alcohol, marijuana, and vaping as well as encouraging wellness and good health. You will see the billboard messaging in our social media too.
Be on the lookout for this great positive campaign with neighboring community coalitions!
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KinderCare of Commerce Township
and White Lake are hiring!
Full and Part time positions available.
Must be 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Experience preferred but willing to train the right candidates.
Please click on the links below to apply!
Benefits include: FREE CDA program, medical/dental/optical insurance, employee discount for child care, Paid vacations, tuition assistance, and employee assistance program.
Looking forward to working with you!
White Lake:
Commerce Township:
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Lakes Electric is a rapidly growing residential and commercial electrical contractor in Livingston County, Michigan. Our dedication to excellence coupled with our commitment to strategic problem solving have allowed us to stand out as one of the area’s local preferred electrical companies.
Job Role: Our Licensed Electrician/Project Manager will be responsible for managing electrical projects and ensuring that the projects fall within budget, meet required timelines and hold up to Lakes Electric stringent requirements for quality. The Project Manager acts as the primary point of contact for employee inquiries and troubleshooting on a day to day basis while maintaining a high level of customer service.
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Left: Caleb Sheng, Wixom DDA Chairperson; Laura Cloutier, Wixom DDA Executive Director, WLCSD parent & former WL teacher; and Drafting Table owners Kristin (Wixom DDA Vice Chairperson) & Aron Rzeznik
You Make the Difference …
SUPPORT FOR WALLED LAKE SCHOOLS IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER in such critical areas as literacy and social emotional learning-key elements of education impacted by this unprecedented period in all our lives.
Please review the Foundation for Excellence’s message, You Make the Difference, and include in your 2020 story a charitable year-end gift to the Foundation for Excellence-Walled Lake Schools.
YOUR 2020 STORY can include the gift of education that lasts a lifetime!
DID YOU KNOW The CARES ACT is providing a one-time, $300 tax deductible donation this year? Vital diversification for an entire classroom’s literacy library in Walled Lake Schools can happen with $300.
THANK YOU in advance for your consideration and understanding that support for education is a critical chapter now in all our lives and for the stability of our future.
QUESTIONS? Email Foundation for Excellence Executive Director [email protected] or phone 248.956.2116
Checks can be made payable to Foundation for Excellence-Walled Lake Schools and mailed to the Foundation’s office located at 850 Ladd Rd., Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390.
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Drafting Table Beer News
Reserve Now!
Heated Igloos
Igloos are here, and we are now taking reservations - call to reserve!
- (248) 956-7279
- Only call during our business hours (4-8 Mon-Thu, 2-9 Fri-Sat, 2-6 Sun)
- One hour time slots = $10
- No refunds or store credits for cancellations/rescheduling
- Pay over the phone when you reserve
- 6 person max capacity
- Everyone must be from the same household per the latest MDHHS order
- No dogs allowed in the igloos
- We will be airing out the igloos for 15 minutes and sanitizing the surfaces between each group
- We will only be taking reservations 7 days in advance
Drafting Table Brewing Company - 49438 Pontiac Trail, Wixom MI 48393
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Attention, Restaurant Owners!
Do you need to add online ordering to your operation?
Chamber member Ever Studios can help - and they have a special "3 Months Free" offer for you, especially during these challenging times ...
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MSGCU Encourages Local Shopping
this Season with Give the Gift of Local Giveaway
Every year, Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU) proudly supports deserving businesses and organizations dedicated the betterment of Michiganders. As the backbone of our communities, small businesses deserve our support more now than ever this holiday season. That is why the credit union is pleased to launch their Give the Gift of Local giveaway and grant more than $18,500 to local small businesses and their patrons.
“While we’ve helped process more than $6.3 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for more than 130 local small businesses, we recognize that small businesses are crucial to our economy. In support of the Southeast Michigan community, we are asking MSGCU members and team members to ‘give the gift of local’ by shopping locally this season and nominating their favorite local small businesses for a chance to win,” said Ann Jones, MSGCU Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.
Through December 11, MSGCU members can nominate their favorite (non-franchise) independently-owned, local small business which is within 10 miles of an MSGCU branch, via the credit union’s website at msgcu.org/local. All small businesses in the local area are encouraged to share the giveaway across their networks, reminding MSGCU members to submit a nomination.
Once all nominations are received, MSGCU will randomly select an entry for each branch area and award $1,000 to 15 local businesses and provide a $100 gift card to the nominating member. An additional two local businesses will also be selected and awarded $1,000 via nominations from MSGCU’s own team members.
For non-MSGCU members wishing to nominate their favorite local small business, the credit union is open to all residents of the Lower Peninsula. Joining is easy and can be done online at msgcu.org/join.
Additional Give the Gift of Local giveaway information and rules are available at msgcu.org/local.
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Our friends at Homedics (here in Walled Lake!) have the most wonderful personal care, household and giftable items. Check out the new Ozone Clean Multi-purpose Cleaner below! |
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Kudos to Stephanie Ellerholtz and her cleaning/ organizing business, Sort of Stephanie!
After a lengthy process, Sort of Stephanie is officially a proud member of the National Women’s Business Enterprise, certified as a woman-owned, -operated and -controlled business. Stephanie commented on FaceBook that she is honored to be a part of this wonderful organization! Congratulations!
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In this challenging time of social distancing, we are all finding creative new ways to come together. The Commerce Township Community Library hosts book clubs, story times and unique programming – virtually! – and we are excited to connect with our neighbors through a community cookbook designed to bring us together while we stay apart.
The creation of Commerce in the Kitchen: A Community Cookbook is underway and we need your recipes! Is there a recipe that gives you comfort whenever you make it? Do you have a recipe that was a favorite from your childhood or one that has been in your family for years? Maybe it is a recipe that you found on the internet and perfected, or it is one from a magazine that just makes you happy whenever you make it.
Want to be included? Here’s what we need from you:
· A favorite recipe
· A short explanation (one paragraph or less) of what the recipe means to you
· A photograph of the completed dish (not required, but encouraged)
· Your full name, if you are willing to include it (your contribution can be anonymous)
We are excited to celebrate the spirit of connection, creation, food and unity during the historic COVID-19 pandemic and we encourage all of our neighbors to contribute recipes to our community cookbook. When complete, the cookbook will be made freely available online; a printed copy will be added to the Library's collection for the historical record.
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Students who register for 12 or more credits for OCC's Winter 2021 semester by the registration deadline and are interested in receiving a Dell laptop should link to OCC Cares Laptop Program to complete the Laptop application.
Students who have any additional questions regarding this Dell Laptop program should email [email protected].
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The Spinal Column’s Best of the West
Reader’s Choice Awards Voting ends December 13th!
Chamber Member Businesses are encouraged tell their customers/clients to go to the web site SpinalColumnOnline.com and click on “Click Here to Vote”, right below the Best of the West logo and then follow the instructions on how to vote. There are 51 different business categories!
READER'S CHOICE AWARD participants MUST fill out the registration information to make your choices. The registration questions are for the use of the Spinal Column Media Group only. None of the information will be shared or sold to any company.
The Voting period is Wednesday, November 4 at 12:01am through Saturday, December 13 at 11:59pm. When finished voting, scroll to the bottom of the survey (end of last category) and click "Done." Voters may vote once a week until the polls close.
ALL voters will be automatically placed in a drawing for a $250 Visa Gift Card drawing. The drawing will be held December 30, 2020. The winner will be notified by mail and/or phone to claim their prize. Winner is responsible for any taxes. No purchase is necessary. All decisions of the judges are final. Employees of the Spinal Column Media Group and its affiliates are not eligible to participate.
The Top 3 businesses in each category, within each of our four zones – Milford, Highland, White Lake and Lakes (Commerce/Wixom/Walled Lake) - will be notified in late December and will be featured in special Best of the West inserts in January editions. Additionally, those top three vote getters will be eligible to display the Best of the West logo in their advertising and at their store location during 2021.
Get the word out to your customers and clients to vote for your business as one of the Best of West Oakland County!
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Note that the dates for the Huron Valley Council for the Arts / Unity Project art show, "Walk a Mile in Another's Shoes" have changed.
Artists are encouraged to continue submitting work for the show, which will open January 8th and run through January 29th.
Check www.huronvalleyarts.org for details on this and other terrific events, as well as Gift Gallery hours for the holiday season.
Shop local and enrich yourself with ART!
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Does your business or organization need more PPE?
The chamber can help!
We still have about 30 of the popular "Reopening Toolkits" from Oakland County left to share with our local businesses and organizations ... Let us know if you would like one and we will arrange it with you!
Kits include: hand sanitizer, reusable masks, disposable masks, signage and a touchless thermometer.
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Ambassadors are conducting outreach to statewide businesses to offer education and support to implement regulations on workplace safety.
In addition to tier-one education which provides a brief consultation, businesses can now visit the COVID-19 workplace safety website to schedule tier-two consultations, an in-depth assessment of workplace safety requirements, with NSF International. These in-depth, collaborative meetings will connect employers directly with an Ambassador to identify and implement solutions in their specific workplace free of charge to the business. Tier-two visits are targeted to these at-risk industries: retail stores, restaurants and gyms.
Businesses that successfully complete tier-two visits will soon receive official signage to acknowledge COVID-19 workplace safety commitments and efforts to keep customers and employees safe.
Ambassadors are delivering education toolkits to businesses statewide as part of tier-one efforts for the Ambassador program. The toolkit enables a review of current workplace safety and health procedures to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Ambassadors will not propose citations or issue penalties. They are there to work with businesses to improve conditions and help comply with regulations on workplace safety.
Employers and employees with specific questions regarding workplace safety and health may contact MIOSHA using the hotline at 855-SAFEC19 (855-723-3219).
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17 Free Webinars
Through this program, you have access to free, virtual webinars on legal and financial topics that you can access here.
For more information, contact John Wolf-Meyer:
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MDHHS provides COVID-19 guidance for holiday travel/gatherings
The holiday season will be different for Michiganders this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure families do not miss out on being together during the holidays, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued guidance on Traveling for the Holidays to stay safe while on the road or in the air.
Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. However, if you decide to travel for the holidays, follow these safety measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
• Wear a mask and keep your nose and mouth covered when in public places.
• Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from
your household.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand
sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
In addition to the MDHHS guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following resources to help determine if you should travel during the holidays:
Individuals who should avoid attending or hosting in-person holiday celebrations with people who do not live in their household, include those who:
• Have symptoms of COVID-19 or are waiting for COVID-19 viral test results.
• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with
someone at increased risk of severe illness.
The new guidance also urges Michiganders to consider hosting virtual festivities instead of in-person holiday gatherings if there is a risk of community spread based on the risk identified in the MI Safe Start map. If an in-person gathering is hosted, it should be held outdoors if possible. Indoor festivities should avoid crowded, poorly ventilated or fully enclosed indoor spaces, and should be limited to 10 people or less per MDHHS Oct. 9 Emergency Epidemic Order. In addition, attendees of indoor or outdoor festivities should:
• Social distance.
• Wear cloth masks.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Keep safe around food drinks, including following good hygiene and limiting the
amount of people in areas where food is prepared.
• Bring food and drinks for themselves and members of their household. Avoid
potluck gatherings.
• Have one person serve all shareable food and consider using single-use items
for condiments, plates and utensils.
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305 N. Pontiac Trail, Ste. A
Walled Lake 48390
Phone: 248.624.2826
Fax: 248.624.2892
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