Community Leaders To Be Honored

Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce

Honors Three Community Leaders

Sturbridge, MA, October 26, 2010 -- The Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce will be honoring three outstanding individuals during this year’s annual meeting to be held on November 10, 2010. The recipients of this year’s awards are as follows:

Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award – Mary McGlynn

Citizen of the Year Award – Janet Garon

Businessperson of the Year Award – Christine Tieri

Mary McGlynn is always the first to respond to calls for volunteers for Chamber events. She also coordinates many volunteers each year to help staff the Chamber booth at all three Brimfield Shows. Ms. McGlynn gives much of her time and effort to set up the booth, which gives the Chamber greater visibility in the community.  In addition, Ms. McGlynn created welcome baskets for new members, which also provide a way for members to promote their businesses. She took charge of this project and has been vital to its success—soliciting and picking up donated materials, arranging baskets, and ensuring that they are delivered on time for each event. Her perseverance and dedication have helped to contribute to the success of the Chamber. She is also actively involved in the Harvest Fest, and donates her time to many other Chamber community events as well.

Janet Garon is a retired bank executive with a long history of community involvement—working to improve the quality of life in South Central Massachusetts. She holds top positions on a number of boards, including Giving Trees for Life, Inc.; Rehabilitative Resources, Inc.; and the Blanchard Means Foundation. She has been Co-Chairman of Southbridge FEST since 2006, a Corporator for Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge, and Chairman and Treasurer for the Sturbridge Republican Town Committee since 2000. A member of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Ms. Garon is a volunteer for Tri-Valley Elder Services in Webster, Meals-on-Wheels since 2001, and in 2004 was a recipient of the George Wild Award. Ms. Garon was a former Chairperson for many committees in South Central Massachusetts.

As the co-owner of smith&jones, Christine Tieri has helped in the marketing of many local businesses. Her company offers high-concept, strategic planning usually associated with larger, big city markets. In addition, Ms. Tieri was one of the founders of Tantasqua Education Foundation—a non-profit organization that provides financial resources to help students develop their skills to reach their full potential. For the past eight years, her company, smith&jones, has contributed over $350,000 worth of marketing services to various non-profits during their 24-hour CreateAthon, a program created and launched by Ms. Tieri. Organizations including Health Families of Southern Worcester County, Second Chance Animal Shelter, Festival of Giving Trees and more have benefitted from this program. This past year, the CMS Chamber website was created by volunteers through the CreateAthon. Ms. Tieri also supports many noteworthy causes. She is a tri-athlete who has raced to raise funds for Breast Cancer with the Tri-Community YMCA. She has also participated in walks for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, Relay for Life, and is a volunteer for the United Way’s Day of Caring.

The Chamber’s annual meeting will be held at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. This year’s guest speakers will be Richard E. Hoyt, Sr. and Richard E. Hoyt, Jr. (Team Hoyt), who will be giving an inspirational presentation themed “Yes You Can.” They are also authors of the new book,Devoted, which will be available for sale after the meeting.

Both Chamber members and non-members are invited to attend. 

EVENT DETAILS

Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch will be served at noon.

Cost: $30 per person, or $230 for a table of 8

Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center; Southbridge, MA

To reserve your spot, call 508-347-2761 or email info@cmschamber.org by no later than November 3^rd.