net works DIGITAL NEws August 3, 2020

Mark Taylor to Speak at August Purchased Your “Breakfast Club” Gift Cards Yet? as Blair County exceeded expectations in Help Our Bars dealing with Covid-19 or is the verdict still Hout? That’s one of the questions that will be and Restaurants! addressed at the next Chamber “Breakfast Club,” set for August 13th beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino The Chamber’s effort to help local bars at . Keynote speaker for the event will and restaurants stay financially afloat be Mark Taylor, Director of Public Safety, Blair County during a difficult time is gaining momen - Department of Emergency Services. It is Taylor who tum as more businesses recognize the has been at the forefront of the county’s efforts to need to assist one another by participating monitor the spread and treatment of Covid-19. His in the “Eat. Drink. Help.” Initiative. As an presentation, “What Might Happen Next?” will provide offshoot of Buy Here. Thrive Here., this insight into what similar areas to Blair County are experiencing and how the new program incentivizes businesses data is making it both easier and more difficult to speculate on the future. The to purchase gift cards from bars and cost to attend Breakfast Club is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non- restaurants in exchange for ad space in members. Social distancing will be observed. To register call the Chamber at the Chamber’s weekly newsletter. The (814) 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com . Corporate sponsor purchasing businesses must be Chamber of the August Breakfast Club is Moore Power Sales. members but the bars and restaurants are not required to be. For more infor - mation on how to participate in Eat. You’ve Seen the Signs. Drink. Help., visit the Chamber Website at www.blairchamber.com and click on Let the Message Resonate the Buy Here. Thrive Here logo. Now that the Buy Here. Thrive Here.

initiative is moving full-speed-ahead  (the yard signs and billboards are

everywhere!), we invite anyone who   has already turned their buying habits BENE fact around to share their success stories  Chamber Membership so that others may become inspired to can save you money.

         do so as well. Or if you’re a business that has gained new customers as the have become casualties of Covid-19. For August we are highlighting Cham - result of Buy Here. Thrive Here., share Anything that you can do to help will be ber Membership Directories! Chamber that with us too. There is an urgent greatly appreciated. Send stories to members in good standing will have need to help the local businesses that Joe Hurd at [email protected] . their business listing appear in both the annual print directory (distributed to every Chamber member business and found in every hotel room in Blair County) and the online directory (which receives thousands of hits each day!) located on the Chamber’s website at www.blairchamber.com .

,%!$%23()0 Leadership Youth Program ",!)2#/5.49 Graduates 17th Class The Blair County Chamber of Commerce MARISA HOOPER, Bishop Guilfoyle Leadership Blair County Youth (LBCY) Catholic High School; COOPER KEEN, program graduated 24 students repre - Bellwood-Antis High School; AIDAN Chamber Seeking senting Blair County school districts KELLY, Altoona Area High School; on July 30th. LBCY is a Blair County MACKENZIE KELLEY, Altoona Area Next Group Chamber of Commerce program open High School; CONOR MAURO, to high school sophomores focusing Claysburg-Kimmel High School; of Young on servant leadership. The youth DANIELLE MUELLER, Altoona Area Entrepreneurs program is formatted similarly to the High School; JADEN QUINN, Bishop Chamber’s adult leadership program. Guilfoyle Catholic High School; It’s no secret that the best recipe for LBCY has been used as a model for MORGAN REIGHARD, Williamsburg a successful community continuing to leadership youth programs throughout Community High School; NOELLE grow is for its businesses to be created and the tri-state region. SHENK, Hollidaysburg Area High and cultivated close to home. That The LBCY curriculum includes an School; AMIRADAMA SMITH-BANKS, recipe was the motivation for the Blair overnight retreat, monthly sessions Altoona Area High School; MARIAN County Chamber’s willingness to start a on community focused topics and a STEPHENS, Hollidaysburg Area High Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) class project. Members of the 2020 School; SOFIA VENEZIANO, Altoona program. The program will begin its fifth Class are: Area High School; JOSHUA WAITE, year in October and the application DEVYN AMIGH, Hollidaysburg Area Central High School; ALISSA WALKER, process for interested students has High School; CASSIE BERKHIMER, Williamsburg Community High School; already begun. To apply, go to the Claysburg-Kimmel High School; TAELYNN WHETSTINE, Central High Chamber Website at www.blaircham - ASHLEY BRUBAKER, Williamsburg School; TESSA WISE, Altoona Area ber.com and click on “Events and Community High School; COLIN BUTLER, High School; and EMILY ZHU, Programs.” Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School; Hollidaysburg Area High School. HAWKE CLAYCOMB, Claysburg-Kimmel For more information on Leadership High School; RAVEN CRISCITELLO, Blair County Youth, contact the Committee Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School; Chamber at 943-8151. CARLY DIXON, Central High School; Meetings Chamber Ambassadors August 4th, 8:00 a.m. devorris Center

Workplace Wellness Committee August 4th, 1:30 p.m. devorris Center

young professionals of blair County August 5th, 8:00 a.m. devorris Center

young entrepreneurs Academy (yeA!) Committee August 5th, 9:00 a.m. Zoom LeAdership bLAir County youth CLAss of 2020 public policy Committee August 6th, 8:00 a.m. devorris Center

Like us on Facebook at bAsiCs early Childhood subcommittee The Blair County August 6th, 10:00 a.m. Chamber of Commerce devorris Center AARE YYOUOOU INSSANE?? Do youu do the samme thing ovver and over again, always getting the same result, despite expectingg a difffererentt one? TThhen perhaapsps you are!! x Are yoou still biddinng and spreaddsheeting youur healthh insurance? x Are yoou increasingg deductibles and co-pays?? x Are yoou having youur employeess share more of the cost? x Has itt done anythiy ngg to save premiuum dollars onn your healthh insuraance? x Does tthe situation keep gettingg worse?? We have a prroven methodd that savves an averagge of 20% a yeary and proovides better access and ccoverage for youur employees. Loccal businessees have been using it successfully. GGive us a call today to save!! wwww.forneywhhitewagner.com 814-2001-5784 Chamber Inviting Applications for Annual Appeal VP Position Funds Leadership The Chamber is beginning the application process for the position of Vice-Presi - Blair County dent of Programming and Membership Education. The fulltime position is Youth Program available due to the upcoming retirement The Blair County of longtime Chamber VP Juda Juda Chamber Foundation who is currently working part-time and has launched its will be officially retired at the end of Adult and Youth programs, which are Annual Appeal to De cember. Her replacement will begin integral parts of the VP position. Inter - raise funds that offset in September and will work with Judy ested applicants should email resumes the costs associated on programs and events, most particu - and cover letters to jhurd@blaircham - with the Leadership larly on the Leadership Blair County ber.com . Blair County Youth program. That program, which is 100% funded by the Foundation, Little Free Libraries Initiative costs $42,000 to operate. “We’re grateful to the many businesses, Begins Today or ganizations and individuals that The Chamber’s Leadership Blair of five and eleven. They can be new contribute to the Appeal,” explained County Alumni is assisting the Altoona or gently used. Monetary donations Foundation President Brian Irwin. Area School District in creating Little will be used to purchase books through “It has allowed us to operate this Free Libraries in eight elementary participating vendors at reduced out standing LBC Youth program with - school neighborhoods. The District prices. Books can be dropped off at out relying on either the students or has received a grant to fund one of the the Chamber Office between 8:30 a.m. the school districts to cover the cost.” libraries and LBC Alumni is raising and 4:30 p.m. from August 3rd to Anyone who would like to contribute money and collecting books to furnish Au gust 28th. Checks can be made to the Appeal should contact Cindy the remaining seven. Books should be payable to the Blair County Chamber Cessna at the Chamber at (814) 943- targeted to children between the ages Foundation. 8151.

Congratulations...

. . . to Professionals Auto Body, which has been recognized once again with General Motors’ highest designation certification. . . . to Nick Damin, who recently be came President/CEO of Damin Nomination Period Underway Printing Company, located in Ebens burg. for ACE Award . . . to the members of the Blair The Blair County Chamber of Commerce County Chamber who were recog - is continuing to accept nominations for nized last week by Pennsylvania the Agricultural Community Excellence Business Central magazine as (ACE) Award. This award will be presented “Health Care Heroes.” They are: at the October 8, 2020 Breakfast Club. Conemaugh Health System (Nason), Deadline for nominations is Monday, Homewood at Martinsburg, Altoona Au gust 10, 2020. To access a nomination Lung Specialists, Encompass Health form and a list of past honorees, click here . Altoona and UPMC (Altoona).

Operation Our Town Mini- Tournament

Keystone Falls - 18 Hole Mini-Golf Monday, September 14, 2020

6FKHGXOHRI$FWLYLWLHV 3:00pm - Tee time for OOT Mini-Golf Tournament at Lakemont Park 5:00pm - US Foods Neighborhood BBQ at Park Hills Golf Club

Great prizes, food, and fun! For registration and sponsorship information, visit: http://www.operationourtown.org/oot-mini-golf-tournament

All funds raised benefit local drug enforcement and prevention programs through grants from Operation Our Town in conjunction with: Saluting Our Renewals! the Chamber would like to thank those members that have continued to invest with the organization by renewing their membership in the month of July.

Celebrating 57 Years Empower Business Solutions Valley Auto Service, Inc. Union Tank Car Company The Hancock Group, Inc. Window World of Altoona Inco Beverage, Inc. Celebrating 40-43 Years James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center Celebrating 5-9 Years Amtran Lisa Mancinelli, State Farm Barr's Auto Electric, Radiator & Air Conditioning, Inc. Lawn Doctor of Altoona Insurance Agency Bella Lucia, Inc. Makdad Industrial Supply Co., Inc. Derman Funeral Home, Inc. Celebrating 31-38 Years McAleer's Plumbing, Heating & A/C, Inc. The Giorgio Foundation Altoona Ophthalmology Associates Pro Active Sports, Inc. Groundhog Solar Altoona Soft Water, Inc. & Crystal Pure Starfleet Productions, Inc. JW Hoist & Crane, LLC dba Altoona Bottled Water Inc. Hoist & Crane AMED Celebrating 10-19 Years Keystone Environmental, Health, & Safety Bettwy Electric, Inc. American Rescue Workers, Inc. Services, Inc. Blair County Oil & Supply AseraCare Hospice - Altoona Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Altoona Burchfield Organization, Inc. Bellwood-Antis School District Second Avenue United Methodist Church Tom Burkholder's Antiques Blair County Convention & Sports The Cashman Financial Group, Inc. Facilities Authority Celebrating 1-4 Years Child Advocates of Blair County, Inc. Blair Gastroenterology Associates Bedford Candies Gieg Law Offices, LLC Canary Labs Paula Binus Image Signs, Inc. Damin Printing Company, LLC Royce Ann Boyd Lakemont Park Discovery House Blair County Consolidated CCS Mountain Research, LLC Effectv Craig Fencing, Inc. NPC, Inc. Gearharts Moving & Storage, Inc. East Freedom Surgical Associates, LLC Joseph A. Oricko, Architect Holiday Financial Services Escape Rooms Altoona Rea, Rea & Lashinsky Iron Masters Country Club Greenland's Lodge Santella Funeral Home Joe Krentzman & Son, Inc. Hometown Bank of PA Teeter Group K & C Denture Center Homevestors dba Freedom Junction Properties L. R. Webber Associates, Inc. J. Kirk Kling, Law Offices Hoss's Steak & Sea House Metzler Brothers Tank, Truck & PA Simple Cremation Celebrating 20-29 Years Trailer, LLC Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Penn Albemarle Corporation The Milky Way Staples - The Office Superstore S. Smith Books Zito Business Carnegie Equipment, Inc. Smith's Welding and Fabrication Corle Building Systems Snare & Associates Mortgage Services, LLC