LEGACY MEMBERSGOLD

SILVER

I hope you are finding your way through the challenging timeswe’re in. I know many of you are shut down completely, someare doing a bit of business, and a few, such as our banker friends,are extremely busy. No matter what your circumstances, I’m sureyou are ready for us all to be working again. Evidently there’snothing like a crisis of this nature to demonstrate howinterconnected our businesses, our economy and our lives are. As I write this, the timetable for business re-openings, besidesconstruction, recreation and some elective surgery, hasn’t beenannounced. Likewise, the details on an extension of the stayhome order are yet to come. But it appears the governor willannounce a phased restart that recognizes different areas of thestate could proceed on different schedules, which could affectSkagit County. Businesses classified as essential will be joined bythose that can be operated safely for workers and customers.Guidelines to do so are being developed, which apply to all typesof businesses and for specific industries. Factors in the timetableand recommendations for operating safely will vary by the typeof activity and the necessity of operations in a specific location.Industry associations are already introducing such plans. We willcompile them for you. It is important to prepare for restarting your business, including plans to address safety. But I think we will all miss anopportunity if we don’t also “reimagine” our businesses at thesame time. I’ve learned a lot during these last two months, andplan to do some different things and some things differently, onan ongoing basis. I guess some pain turned into gain is a positivething. I’m going with that. I truly look forward to seeing you in person, in all the familiarplaces – as circumstances allow!

CHAMBER CHATM O U N T V E R N O N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce360.428.8547

mountvernonchamber.com

Andy Mayer, President & CEO

Morgan Curry, executive director of SkagitGleaners, wants to make sure everyone in thecommunity is aware of the valuable services theorganization provides – especially during this timewhen people are being financially impacted byCOVID-19. Skagit Gleaners provides food and householdmerchandise/clothing to frugal, waste consciousand working families. They do this by rescuingsurplus food and product from local grocery stores,manufacturers, restaurants and thrift stores inSkagit County. Each family who uses the services is required tocontribute by volunteering for the organization.Each family also contributes a nominal overhead feeto help cover organizational expenses. “This model creates an atmosphere of ownershipand responsibility, where families are able to ‘giveand receive’ instead of just ‘receive,’” Curry says. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Skagit Gleaners hasproven to be an essential program for families.During the month of March, the organizationrescued 127,191 pounds of surplus food fromgrocery stores and restaurants (more than doublingwhat they normally rescue). The food wasdistributed to nearly 340 families, helping thesefamilies save roughly $180,000 in grocery costs. Theorganization also gifted roughly 15,000 pounds offood to other organizations in March, includingmigrant worker housing complexes.

Curry said the Gleaners are always looking forcommunity partners, such as grocery stores,markets and restaurants, willing to donate excessfood items, and she is hopeful there may be someChamber members who can help fill that need.She also notes that donations of goods are taxdeductible.  The Gleaners’ shop is open seven days a week,Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday: 9 am - 1:30pm, and Tuesday, Thursday: 3 pm - 7:30 pm.People who want to learn more can visit duringany of these for a free shop/tour. www.skagitgleaners.org

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GET TO KNOW SKAGIT GLEANERS

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Member AnnouncementsGateway Automotive offers free oil changes tomedical professionals     Even before Gov. Inslee's shelter-in-place orderwent into effect, Bill Orsborn was implementingnew procedures in his business to protect againstthe spread of the coronavirus. GatewayAutomotive introduced its Touchless RepairService along with an explainatory video to helpcustomers understand how it works. But Orsbornwanted to do more. Gateway Automotive is nowoffering free oil changes for doctors and nurses atall three of their Skagit-Island County locations."This is our small way of giving back to medicalprofessionals who put their lives on the line attimes like this." Orsborn is spreading the word ofthe free oil changes, Touchless Repair Service, aswell as their free drop-off and pick up service forcustomers who reside within two miles of any oftheir three locations.     Skagit Regional Airport Receives CARES ActFundsSkagit Regional Airport will receive $69,000 offunding through the CARES Act to maintain andsupport continuing airport operations.More than3,000 airports are eligible for funding, rangingfrom large commercial airports to generalaviation airports like Skagit Regional Airport.Skagit Regional Airport has remained open duringthe pandemic as an essential publictransportation hub, providing access foremergency medical flight arrivals and departures,and continued operations of essential businesses.The Port of Skagit has not made any decisions yeton how these funds will be allocated.  Furtherevaluation of the funding requirements and Portprojects is currently underway to determine thebest fit and highest need area for using the funds.

Barron Heating donates ductless heating systemto Sedro-Woolley cancer patient     A Sedro-Woolley great-grandmother living alone inan inadequately heated home while battling cancer,recently received a free heating system from BarronHeating & Air Conditioning. Phyllis Queen has beenbattling cancer since 2017. Chemotherapy hascaused neuropathy in her extremities, causingconsistent pain that is unbearable in the cold. Livingon a fixed income, she’s unable to afford theskyrocketing power bill due to her 30-year-oldfurnace.Taking some of the worry out of her life,Barron Heating installed a Daikin ductless mini splitsystem, ensuring Queen would stay warm andcomfortable throughout her home.Barron Heatingalso donated a Daikin ductless mini split system toa Stanwood grandmother raising six of hergrandchildren and a new Carrier furnace to a Sumascancer patient and mother of six children. The valueof Barron Heating’s donated equipment withinstallation in the past year is estimated at morethan $25,000.

Webinar: How to Manage Employees and Deal with Difficult PeopleWith Glenn ShepardMonday, May 411 a.m.Free for members, $199 for non-membersRegister here Latino Business Leaders: How to Finance your BusinessTuesday, May 125:30 - 7:30 p.m.Presented by Dr. Ed Jaramillo in Spanishvia ZoomRegister here Knowledge NOW: Stress Management and Resiliency in theWorkplaceWednesday, May 13NoonPresented by Nathan Ray, MSW, Certified Traumatologist, Rays of Hope, LLCvia ZoomRegister here Chamber Virtual Luncheon: State of the City AddressWith Mount Vernon Mayor Jill BoudreauWednesday, May 2711:30 a.m.via ZoomRegister here

Chair - Carol HarrisPrimeLending Vice Chair - David LukovKern Funeral HomePast Chair - Brian PoppeHPK ArchitectsTreasurer - Rhonda TingleySaviBank Member at Large - Bekki CoxBC AccountingArden AinleySkagit Valley CollegeViry DelgadoCOA Mexican Eatery Peter DonovanCity of Mount Vernon Diane FoxAll About HearingBill HenkelCommunity Action of Skagit CountyBrian IvieSkagit Regional Health Ben LazowskiValley Shine DistilleryJeff McInnisU.S. BankTodd OwsleyFarmstrong Brewing CompanyDuby PetitSkagit PublishingCelina RodriguezMount Vernon School District STAFFPresident/CEO Andy MayerBusiness Development and Foundation Director Silvia ReedOperations Director Jeremy KindlundMarketing Specialist Hilary ParkerEWP Coordinator Jessica LaSotaVisitor Information Services Marinus Rouw Stephanie Fernandez

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSBoard of Directors

Sponsored by

Member Reveals Positive Return on Investment It’s easy to talk at length about the extraordinary things theMount Vernon Chamber of Commerce has consistently donefor the community.  They are my go-to for all things Skagit Valleybecause they offer the perfect balance of engagement, insightand advocacy. I know that if I need guidance on connecting withthe community, I can reach out to any of the staff (orambassadors for that matter) for advice.    The first Chamber event I ever attended was the Biz Buzzluncheon, which on paper may seem a little daunting because somany people attend. Jeremy and a volunteer warmly greetedme at the door; Silvia went out of her way to make introductionsand make me feel welcome; and Andy followed up afterward tosee how my experience was. An ambassador invited me to jointheir table, and I instantly knew I’d made the right decision inattending. I later realized that concierge experience is theculture of service we all receive. Going above and beyond toprovide us the resources we need to thrive is what they do eachand every day. Everyone is encouraged, supported andwelcomed at the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Itdoesn’t matter if you’re a lifetime member with hundreds ofemployees or a brand-new small business owner. We are allimportant and valued. 

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Chair - Marla ChapaSkagit SocialTaylor Bannister Lincoln TheatreSusan CooperNextHome Preview PropertiesMonica CraigCPI Plumbing & HeatingEctor DeLeonTulip Valley WineryBeth Dewey Joyous StyleLeslie ExnerhibuCarol HarrisPrimeLendingKatelyn HuffmanExpress EmploymentProfessionals Shelby JanklowFortiphi LLCCrystal KingNW TechnologyMorgan McCauleyThe Bridge at Mount VernonEmmanuel Medina Garcia Chinook Enterprises Anya PaxsonAflac Tammy Reim-Ledbetter Alaska USASherry RudermanSkagit Tradition RealtyJerry ShacketteFriendship House of Skagit ValleyLexx StensonChinn GYN, LLCLiz TheakerCamp KoreyKatey Von HagelLand Title & Escrow Company Clarissa WongUmpqua Bank

Ambassadors

There are not enough superlatives to describethe value you bring to all of us. Thank you forallowing us to play on your team! Mandi Rothman, Northwest Youth Services

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Partner MembersBarron Smith Daugert, PLLC, BEST WESTERN PLUS Skagit Valley Inn & Convention Center, BirchEquipment Rental & Sales, Brigadoon Service Dogs, Budget Towing & Repair, Cascade Job CorpsCenter, CBMM LLC, Coastal Farm and Ranch, Costco Wholesale, Crawford Garage Doors, D&P ElectronicHome Monitoring, Foothills Toyota, Fortiphi LLC, Frontier Communications, Haggen Food & Pharmacy,Hampton Inn & Suites, Herbal Legends Cannabis, Infinity Painting & Home Care LLC, Kern FuneralHome, Landed Gentry Homes & Communities, Life Care Center of Mount Vernon, Little Mountain Laser,Loving Farms, Max Dale’s Steak & Chop House, McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon School District, North CoastCredit Union, Northwest Escrow, LLC, PogoZone, Port of Skagit, Public Utilities District 1 Skagit County,Puget Sound Energy, SERVPRO, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Skagit Valley College, Skagit Valley Hospitaland Skagit Regional Clinics, Testing and Commissioning Services, LLC, The UPS Store #5499, The WoodsCoffee, Tucker Realty LLC, Walmart and Williams & Nulle, PLLC CPAs

Thank You Renewing Members

Welcome New MembersAshley’s Design & LettermanJacketsEric Peterson (360) 682-2429390 NE Midway Blvd A105Oak Harborashleysdesign.com/ skagitstrongScreen printing andembroidery services Jason Goold(208) 703-5978Mount Vernonjgrager.comWashington state real estateagent and business consulting

CBMM LLCEron Corro(425) 344-1976 Marysvillewww.cbmmhvac.comCBMM LLC is a local HVACcompany offering qualityservices in the Skagit,Snohomish, King County areassurrounding Seattle. We offerservices in installation for airconditioning, heating, gaspiping, boilers, water heatersand duct installation.

30+ YearsOASYS, Inc. 20+ YearsHeritage Wealth Advisors, a privatewealth advisory practice ofAmeriprise Financial Services, Inc.

10+ YearsEncore Shoppe 5+ YearsCandlewood Suites an IHG HotelHKP ArchitectsMary Kay - Nicole BauerShakespeare NorthwestAssociation

Less than 5 YearsAdaptive Law Firm PSCascade Prosthetics & OrthoticsChinn GYN, LLCFarmstrong Brewing CompanyLPL Financial - Eric OczkewiczNew Life ServicesRitz Limo Services

Our focus is providing qualityservice and dedicated to 100%quality! Our team is trained andexperienced in offering HVACsolutions for your home. We arelicensed, bonded and insured.

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BRONZE LEGACY

The Chamber hosted its firstvirtual "luncheon" meetingin April. Scheduled as a BizBuzz, the meeting wascomplete with "tables" andone-minute elevatorspeeches. We are pleased tocontinue helping businessesmake connections! This month, we'll hostMount Vernon Mayor JillBoudreau for the State of theCity Address, sponsored byPrimerica.

Biz Buzz goes virtual with great success