Chamber Update

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Please give a warm welcome to our newest members: Sass Well (Massage and Reiki Health and Wellness), A Touch of Class Property Management, and Travel with Comfort LLC. And we thank all our renewing members for keeping us “chamber strong!”

With the recent lifting of mask protocols, we are overjoyed to have many parade participants and sponsors. This is a banner year for sponsorships, and we are overwhelmed with their generosity!

“Open for business” sponsors include Chick-fil-A of Severna Park, Bernward Mechanical and Construction, Kogen Dojo and Brow Craft Boutique. Our “judges table” sponsor is Romilos Restaurant and Bar. The judges table is sponsored by Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. and Park Tavern. The awards sponsor is JB’s of Severna Park. Our tent sponsor is Comcast Business. Our “freedom” sponsors are Coffee News Maryland, Christina Josephs Salon, Budding Voices LLC, EscapeTime, Live! Casino and Hotel, and community members Liz and Leo Courtney.

“Independence” sponsors are M&T Bank, Citizens for Heather Bagnall, Jackie D’Amico Designs, McDonald’s of Severna Park, Sandy Spring Bank, SERVPRO of Annapolis, Franklin’s Toys, Premier Insurance Advisors, Mosquito Squad, The Big Bean, Fishpaws Marketplace, Park Plaza, Severna Park Community Center, Christine Joyce and Jean Andrews – Team of Long and Foster, Broadleaf Tobacco, Steak and Shake of Millersville, Peggy Love – Annapolis Fine Homes Long and Foster Real Estate, Firehouse Subs, and HoneyBaked Ham.

Our “sparkler” sponsors are Brightview Senior Living, Meridiem Dermspa, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi, Christ Embassy Church, Higgins and Friends Pet Sitting, and Living with the Magic Vacations.

Again, our parade will be held on Monday, July 5, from 10:00am to 12:30pm and the theme is “Celebrating our CommUNITY.” Our grand marshal is Eddie Conway, owner of Garry’s Grill and supporter of over 20 charitable organizations this past year. If you are interested in participating, please contact 410-647-3900 or info@gspacc.com.

In keeping with the parade theme, our Star-Spangled Restaurant Week, to be held July 3-11, takes on a special meaning in supporting a local food pantry known as ACAN (Asbury Church Assistance Network). Originally founded in 2004, ACAN’s mission is “providing access to fresh and nutritious food in a respectful and dignified manner to local families in need,” according to director Margo Arnoux. ACAN distributes close to 10,000 pounds of fresh food weekly.

Restaurants participating in Restaurant Week will be donating 5% of the proceeds to ACAN. Please patronize our wonderful restaurants that have been so negatively impacted by the pandemic and enjoy the specials that they will be creating for our Star-Spangled Restaurant Week! Visit www.gspacc.com for the latest updates.

Our Successful Women in Business group recently held an in-person event at the beautiful Homestead Gardens in Severna Park. Store manager Heidi Tyler presented tips on how to create stunning window boxes and planters. We had a wonderful time networking and shopping.

Our pet health and wellness committee had two guest speakers for this month’s meeting. Pets on Wheels and Fidos for Freedom spoke to us about how pets positively influence our mental and physical health, and provided a lot of information on the great things they are doing in the community to help people of all ages.

This month’s wellness committee speaker was Tiffany Erler, licensed speech therapist and owner of Budding Voices LLC. Tiffany’s focus is mainly on children, but she is knowledgeable in all aspects of vocal health, and she presented ways that we can keep our voices healthy for life.

On May 6, we held a ribbon-cutting celebrating the grand opening of Park Books and Literacy Lab in Severna Park. Owner Melody Wukitch has made it a family affair involving her husband, kids, and sister to create a wonderful environment. The business features a bookstore with works by local writers, reading clubs for kids, classes and more. It is also a great place to purchase unique gifts.

On May 20, we held a ribbon-cutting celebration for new business Whoof on the Wharf. The brainchild of patent attorney Bonnie McLeod, the business is in a beautiful waterfront building at the Pier 7 Resort Marina overlooking the bay and offers kayaking for you and your dogs. The business features a room to display work by local artists, an area to eat, and much more. We enjoyed a beautiful reception following the ceremony at the Pier Oyster Bar and Grill.

On May 25, the chambers in Anne Arundel County hosted a luncheon with Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford at the BWI Marriott. Topics discussed included how the state handled the pandemic, what is being done to help small businesses and get people back to work and the economy going forward.

On the last Friday in May, the chamber held a blood drive for Anne Arundel Medical Center. There will be a critical need for blood donations this summer as people return to work and travel and are at risk.

As always, please visit www.gspacc.com for more information about the chamber and our activities. You can also email me at ceo@gspacc.com or call 410-647-3900.

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