June 26, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Waldwick The Waldwick Chamber of Commerce is offering a membership special this summer in an effort to enlarge the successful networking base it has established since Christine Figliuolo took over as president six years ago. The organization now has 100 members. Current members renewing their membership or new members joining the chamber will pay only $90 if they act by July 31. Send checks to WCOC, P.O Box 323, Waldwick, NJ 07463. Download forms from www.Waldwickchamber.com. Chamber launches membership sale; distributes grants Networking and forging friendships count high on the list of benefits the chamber offers its members. “The Chamber has offered me an opportunity to meet Waldwick area business owners and to show our support for the community. It has also been instrumental in helping us promote our business through chamber meetings, networking events and advertising opportunities,” said Pascack Community Bank Manager Michele Calise. Emad El-Mubasher, store manager of Walgreens Pharmacy, echoes this sentiment. “Joining the Waldwick Chamber has been a rewarding experience for me and my business. Not just for all of the exposure I have gotten since being a member, but also for all of the great people that I have met in the chamber,” he said. “The Chamber gives me another way to connect with Waldwick business owners and residents through the monthly meetings, networking events, and community events they organize. I’ve been able to build great relationships because of it,” said Joseph Chinnici, store manager of TD Bank. The chamber’s stated mission is “to promote, enhance and contribute to the well being of the business community while preserving the distinctive character, natural resources and heritage of the greater Waldwick area as a basis of a healthy economy.” To that end, it holds no-cost informative monthly meetings for networking opportunities; provides exposure to member businesses through community events, on-line and newspaper directory listings and e-blast postings; promotes businesses through grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremonies, and featured member of the month billings; and sponsors fun events such as movie night, wine tasting, where members and residents can get to know each other better. The chamber’s major fundraising event is the 5K Run/ One Mile Walk in the spring. The sixth run on April 28, Chamber President Christine Figliuolo presents a donation to John and Sheila Fisher of the Sean Fisher Foundation, as 5K Run Director Stan Kowalski looks on. Chamber President Christine Figliuolo and 5K Run Director Stan Kowalski present a check to Sgt. James Leonard for the care package program sponsored by American Legion Post 57. Sgt. Leonard has served four tours of duty in the Middle East. featuring Massage Envy Spa as the Presenting Sponsor for the third year in a row, drew 800 participants and netted $18,000 to distribute to local organizations. It was our best year so far with sponsors, runners, walkers and proceeds,” said Figliuolo, who distributed checks to some of the recipients at a recent meeting. The three local heart-related charities receiving grants from this year’s proceeds are the Sean Fisher Foundation, Hope with Heart and the Butterflies Program at The Valley Hospital. Other grant recipients, most of which provided manpower for the 5K to run smoothly, are the Waldwick High School Booster Club, Waldwick American Legion Post 57, Waldwick Ambulance Corps, The Golden Club, C.E.R.T., Waldwick Fire Department, Waldwick Police Department, Waldwick High School Graduation Ball, among others.