Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 8/8/21

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Baker Sets Vaccine Mandate for Long-Term Care Staff

Under a new mandate rolled out by the Baker-Polito administration, Massachusetts long-term care workers will be required to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 10.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced that skilled nursing facilities and the two state-run soldiers’ homes must ensure that all personnel, including those employed directly or by contract, are fully vaccinated to help protect older residents.

Massachusetts has 378 level one to level three skilled nursing facilities and two soldiers’ homes, who serve older adults more vulnerable to COVID-19, that will be covered by the mandate. The administration said Wednesday that 155 of those facilities had less than 75 percent of their staff fully vaccinated as of Monday.

Workers who are not yet vaccinated must receive a first dose by Sept. 1 and be fully vaccinated by Oct. 10 to comply with the new requirement. Anyone with medical restrictions or with sincerely held religious beliefs that prevents them from receiving vaccines will be exempt from the mandate.

The Edge Group Announces Merger with Lawrence’s Bell Tower Management

The Edge Group Inc. announced a merger with Bell Tower Management of Lawrence and will be expanding its services, staff and coverage area. The following statement was issued by Fred Faust of The Edge Group and Gary Sidell of Bell Tower Management LLC:

“This consolidation of our companies will enhance our services, from property management to brokerage and consulting. In terms of areas of service, we will now be able to work together in a coordinated fashion to cover the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. On a personal basis, we have worked together informally for over 15 years and appreciate each other’s skills, experience and care for community.”

While keeping his existing role with current clients, Sidell will also assume overall responsibility for property management and administration, while Faust will now focus on brokerage and consulting. The Edge Group staff will remain in their current positions in the Lowell office.

 

Inspiring the Art of Community with ‘Imagina Arte’

Saturday, Aug. 21, marks the the grand reopening of Essex Art Center (EAC) under the new leadership of Monica Manoski. In celebration of the event, the street will close down for a block party featuring over 180 local works of art on display, live performances and activities.

To celebrate EAC’s work and highlight Lawrence’s creative community, Creative Collective and MassDevelopment TDI are hosting “Imagina Arte,” a collaborative after-party and pop-up art gallery.

This after-party is the third installment in the “Imagina Essex” series that features immersive exhibitions intended to inspire both residents and property owners of the possibilities that lie within vacant spaces in Lawrence’s downtown. To learn more about Imagina Essex and Creative Collective, click here.

GLCF’s Women Working Wonders Fund Awards More Than $56,000

The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF),  has announced the recipients of $56,800 in grants. These grants will support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.

WWW provides annual grants in three key areas: assist women in transition, provide leadership development, and contribute to the beautification of the environment.

Recipients of 2021 WWW grants include:

  • Budget Buddies for New Workshop for Women: Financial Health for Families with Children
  • Challenge Unlimited for Equine Encounter: Healing to Leadership for Girls and Women
  • Coalition for a Better Acre for Sewing Training Program
  • Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell for Leadership Academy
  • Refuge Lowell for Girls and Young Women Creating Community Through Public Art
  • International Institute of NE for Creating New Avenues for Success (CNAFS)

Jaffarian Volvo Cars Awarded 2020 Volvo Excellence Award

Jaffarian Volvo Cars received the Volvo Excellence Award from Volvo Cars USA in 2020. The award, which Jaffarian has won this four out of the last five years, recognizes those who deliver exceptional results in all aspects of a dealership’s operations.

The award qualifications include exceeding sales expectations, customer satisfaction for sales and service, achieving outstanding parts and accessories sales, and ensuring that each employee meets Volvo’s training requirements.

Beyond Walls in Search of Lowell Artists

This summer, Beyond Walls and Project LEARN are planning site-specific street art installations in Lowell and are calling for local, regional, national and international artists who are interested in collaborating with them for this project. Artists will have the opportunity to be a part of prioritizing Lowell’s creative and culturally enriched ecosystem.

Those interested in applying to join the initiative should fill out this form by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

MCC Professor and Alumna Awarded for Public Health Nursing

Gail Johnson, a public health nurse at the Westford Health Department and instructor of nursing at Middlesex Community College (MCC) received the Presidential award from the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses (MAPHN). Johnson, who began her nursing education at MCC and earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2014, worked as a registered nurse at the Rehabilitation Hospital in Woburn for 22 years. For the past seven years, she has been working at the Westford Health Department. Johnson became an adjunct professor at MCC in 2017 where she works with students in the simulation lab. After working at the bedside of her patients for over 20 years, she is happy to now educate her community about the importance of health in all different aspects.

The Edge Group and Bell Tower Management Hire Sales Associate and Property Manager

Vladimir Saldana of Lowell was recently hired as by the Edge Group and Bell Tower Management as sales associate and property manager. Saldana graduated from University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) with a B.S. in business finance and management. He recently earned a certificate in project management from UML and graduated from the LEADS Fellowship Program. He is also a former staff member to U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and was previously employed by Lawrence Community Works.

 

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Amesbury’s Shop Local-Opoly

Amesbury businesses and non-profits have teamed up to organize “Shop Local-Opoly,” encouraging the community to shop local. For the entire month of August, community members can participate in this game, where thirty-two businesses and nonprofits each signed up for a space — called a “property” — on the monopoly-like game board. While the game supports many local businesses, each category also has a property that can only be earned through a $5.00 donation to a particular nonprofit. Click here to access the game board.

GWL Greenway 5k

This year’s Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) Greenway 5K walk/run event will happen both remotely and in-person. Remote runners can register for the GWL Boundless 5K and run anytime between Aug. 8 and Aug. 15. Those interested in participating in the in-person event will run on Sunday, Aug. 15, at the Spicket River Greenway. Click here to register.

2021 Summer Theater Workshop

Registration is open for the Academy of Creative Arts at Trinity’s for the 2021 Summer Theater Workshop. Open to kids ages 6 t0 16, the program will be held  August 9 through 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a 5 p.m. show on Friday, August 13. Participants will learn, rehearse and perform Roald Dahl’s beloved musical “Willy Wonka” kids version. No child will be turned away for financial issues. For details and access to the registration form, contact Janet King at jking@urbanbridgesinc.org.

Lazarus House Ministries Food & Clothing Drive

Help support a local cause and donate to the Lazarus House food and clothing drive on Saturday, Aug. 14. The event will be held at Central Catholic High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and participants will also have a chance to win one of three draw prizes by registering their donations. Visit here for details.

The Longest Table

Don’t miss Haverhill’s most exciting inclusive dining event. The Longest Table will be held on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This a 21+ event, and participating restaurants include 110 Grill, The Barking Dog, Casa Blanca, Essex Street Grille, The Hidden Pig, Krueger Flatbread, Battle Grounds Coffee, and more. Visit here for more information.

Diamonds & Pearls, Cash & Kings Fundraiser

Visit Blue Ocean Music Hall on Friday, Aug. 20, for Jozay and Patti, Diamonds & Pearls, and Cash & Kings, who will perform a benefit concert for the Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley. Accompanied by a 7-piece band, they will bring you the sounds of artists like Neil Diamond, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Cher, Roy Orbison, Carole King and more. Visit here for more information, or click here to purchase tickets.

MVFB 27th Annual Golf Tournament

The Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s 27th Annual Golf Tournament and Awards Dinner will be held on Monday, Sept. 13, at Indian Ridge Country Club, with registration beginning at 11:00 a.m. The tournament will honor the heroic staff at Lowell General Hospital, and your participation directly supports the MVFB’s mission. Visit here to register.

25th Annual Elder Services Golf Classic

Bring out your inner Phil Mickelson and support a good cause during the 25th Annual Elder Services Golf Classic on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Haverhill Golf & Country Club. The event features contents, raffle prizes, a luncheon, a $10,000 putting content, and more. This event sells out on a regular basis so visit here to save your spot today.

19th Annual Mill City Mentors Golf Tournament

Enjoy a day of golf while supporting a good cause during the 19th Annual Mill City Mentors Golf Tournament. The event supports Community Teamwork’s Mill City Mentors program, and takes place on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua. Click here to learn more.

Tour de Greenbelt: Cycle for Land Conservation

For beginner riders to seasoned cyclists, Essex County Greenbelt’s annual Tour de Greenbelt: Cycle for Land Conservation offers a variety of courses to fit all abilities. Taking place on Saturday, Sept. 18, the ride benefits Greenbelt’s local land conservation work, and cyclists will enjoy routes that wind through the scenic landscapes of Essex County. Click here to learn more and register for the event.

Emmaus Annual Cycle for Shelter

Registration is now open for the 2021 Cycle for Shelter. Join the ride to help raise money to defeat homelessness. This year riders have the option of riding virtually or joining in-person on Sunday, September 19, if COVID restrictions allow. If the in-person ride is limited in numbers due to state restrictions, the event will operate under a “first-come, first-served” model and those who registered first will have the opportunity to participate. Click here to register.

LGH TeamWalk for CancerCare

Last year, Lowell General Hospital transitioned their annual TeamWalk for CancerCare to TeamWalk on your terms, and the will be continuing this tradition this year. TeamWalk on Your Terms allows you to hold TeamWalk on your turf and on your time. When it is safe and you feel comfortable, simply choose when and where you want to walk. Get your team together for a three or six mile walk on the date and time of your choosing. You can walk anywhere between May 23 and September 1. For details, click here. 

Merrimack Valley Hospice’s Virtual Silent Auction

This year, Merrimack Valley Hospice’s annual food, wine, beer-sampling and silent auction is going virtual. Enjoy a snack and your favorite beverage browsing their auction items from the comfort of home. Proceeds will benefit Merrimack Valley Hospice’s comfort care and supportive services for patients nearing the end of life and bereavement services for their families and loved ones. The auction will run from Thursday, Sept. 23, to Saturday, Sept. 25. Click here for more information.

The Wish Project: Backpack Attack

July 1 through mid-September. New, filled backpacks are distributed to children in need in the Merrimack Valley. For a $60 donation, The Wish Project can provide a complete backpack filled with all of the school supplies that a child needs to begin school. Learn more here.

2021 October Fun Fest

Support the Community Giving Tree and have some fun at the October Fun Fest on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature True North Ales beer truck, the Urban Epicurean mobile pizza oven, and music from the local band RevelUp. All proceeds from this event will support Community Giving Tree’s programs that provide everyday essentials to local children in need. Visit here to find out more.

29th Annual Trot for Special Tots 5K Road Race

The Professional Center for Child Development, a local non-profit, will host its 29th Annual 5K Road Race – Trot for Special Tots, on Saturday, Oct 2, at 32 Osgood Street in Andover. The event spreads awareness for the programs they offer, such as early intervention, special education school and child care, and raises funds to support children and families throughout the Merrimack Valley. Click here for more information.

Smiles4Families Dental Fund

The Lowell Health Community Center (LCHC) is looking for support for the Smiles4Families Dental Fund. Dental care can be very expensive, and many procedures are not covered by insurance companies. By donating to the Smiles4Families Fund, you will help the LCHC assure that every patient has access to exactly the dental care they need — regardless of ability to pay. Visit here to donate.

Greater Lawrence Summer Fund

Consider providing opportunities for thousands of children this summer by donating to the Greater Lawrence Summer Fund. The fund gives children from low-income families a chance to experience life-changing summer activities that not only keep them safe but provides them with opportunities that open doors for a promising future. Click here to consider helping this community organization.

COVID-19 Update: Baker-Polito Administration to Lift Restrictions

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On Monday, May 17, the Baker-Polito administration announced that the commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June and all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29.

The commonwealth’s face covering order will also be rescinded on May 29. The Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. Face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in health care facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings and health and rehabilitative day services.

Massachusetts is on track to meet the goal set in December to fully vaccinate over 4 million individuals by the first week of June. The commonwealth leads the nation in vaccinating residents, with 75% of adults receiving at least one dose. To date, over 4 million residents have received a first dose, with 3.2 million fully vaccinated.

New cases have dropped by 89% since January 8. COVID hospitalizations are down 88% since January 1 and the positive test rate is down by 88% from peaking at 8.7% on January 1 to 1% today.

Effective May 29, all industries will be permitted to open. With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for public and private transportation systems and facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded.

In line with updated CDC face covering guidance, the administration will rescind the current face covering order and issue a new face covering advisory effective May 29.

Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings. The advisory will also recommend fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations.

Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers. Visit here for more details on mask requirements.

Effective May 18, the youth and amateur sports guidance will be updated to no longer require face coverings for youth athletes 18-and-under while playing outdoor sports. Effective May 29, all youth and amateur sports restrictions will be lifted. Visit here for details.

Effective May 18, guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care will be updated to no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess and to allow for the sharing of objects in classrooms, in both K-12 and childcare settings. This guidance will remain in effect beyond May 29.

Gov. Baker will end the State of Emergency​ June 15, and the administration will work with legislative and municipal partners during this period in order to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency.

Wellness Wednesday – 7/22/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

Return To Wellness With ME, A Commitment To Health

We know you’re feeling the effects of stress now more than ever, which means it’s even more important to make sure you feel safe and comfortable once you’re back receiving your massage and skin care services. Your care is our highest priority.

Massage Envy has engaged outside experts at CETH – leaders in their field – to conduct a deep, holistic review of our brand standards targeted at sanitation and infection prevention and control. CTEH is a scientific consulting firm that specializes in environmental health and provides advice based on reliable science to safeguard individuals and communities.

Through that collaboration, we have further strengthened key policies. Among those updated policies are mandatory cleaning and disinfection protocols (including for treatment rooms and equipment used in services), proper hand hygiene protocols, and requirements related to the use of personal protective equipment. Here is what to expect.

  • All of our employees have completed training in infection control and prevention.
  • All employees, members and guests are required to wear face coverings. And service providers are required to have a fresh clean mask change before servicing each member and guest.
  • All employees are prescreened every day and before beginning work to protect our members, guests and staff.
  • All members and guests are prescreened upon entering the clinic before each service to protect our members, guests and staff. 
  • Ensure that 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer is available in all treatment rooms and other key locations for use by all employees, members and guests.
  • All surfaces are disinfected that may have been touched or handled during a service with products registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Use Against Emerging Enveloped Viral Pathogens.
  • All equipment and tools are disinfected per the manufacturer’s instructions. And all of our employees practice good hand hygiene, including regularly washing their hands with warm water for at least 20 seconds, including before and after touching members and guests.

We want every member and guest to feel confident that our Massage Envy location is taking important and tangible measures to promote safety. 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Methuen | (978) 685-1077 | MassageEnvy.com
Billerica | (978) 663-3689 | MassageEnvy.com
Nashua | (603) 598-4400 | MassageEnvy.com

 

WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

Friendliest, Not Fittest, Could Be Key To Evolutionary Survival

Scientists Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, both researchers at Duke University’s Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, argue that friendly partnerships among species ensure successful evolution. These elements of cooperation and sociability may even be more significant to the continuation of a species that one’s brute strength.

Their new book, “Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity,” posits that friendly partnerships among species have worked throughout centuries to ensure successful evolution. Species endure — humans, other animals and plants — they write, based on friendliness, partnership and communication.

Hare founded the Duke Canine Cognition Center, and the two studied bonobos, apes that are often confused with chimpanzees. But bonobos actually are quite different from chimps.

Chimps make war, and the result often leads to chimps killing one another. Bonobos, on the other hand, don’t kill one another and engage in sex to maintain a peaceful collective temperament. Bonobos also are natural sharers. They enjoy sharing food with other bonobos, and never outgrow their willingness to do so, unlike chimpanzees, who become more selfish in adulthood.

“The friendliest male bonobo is more successful than the unfriendliest chimpanzee,” Hare says, referring to reproduction. “The most successful bonobo males have more offspring that the most successful alpha male chimpanzees.”

 

Unlike the United States, More Countries Are Making Masks Mandatory

As countries around the world reopen their economies amid ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, governments are increasingly embracing what remains in some places a divisive public health measure: mandatory masks.

In France, face coverings will soon be required in all public enclosed spaces. England is set to begin enforcing new rules that make masks mandatory inside supermarkets and other shops this week.

A country’s caseload and mortality rate are determined by a variety of factors, but health researchers say more evidence is emerging to support what some policymakers and experts have maintained all along: masks work.

In the United States, COVID-19 cases are surging in many states, and messaging about the effectiveness and necessity of masks has been inconsistent.

But at the state level, a growing number of mask requirements have come into force. Last week, Robert Redfield, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that the country’s outbreak could be controlled within four to eight weeks if everyone wore masks.

In the United States, masks have been the subject of political discord over the course of the pandemic, but health officials have for months urged people to wear them in public spaces where they can’t keep distance from others.

 

Wellness Wednesday – 7/8/20

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WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

New Study Details the Best Types of COVID-19 Face Masks

Since there isn’t enough personal protective equipment to go around, many Americans have sewn their own fabric masks or simply used a bandana.

While it’s understood that some level of protection is better than none, there hasn’t been much information on the effectiveness of these homemade masks.

A new study, published in the scientific journal Physics of Fluids, sheds new light on how the materials and construction of a face mask can impact its effectiveness.

Ultimately, the study determined that simple masks, like a bandana or handkerchief, are virtually ineffective. The most effective homemade masks were those that were well-fitted with multiple layers of quilting fabric. Cone-style and surgical masks also proved to be sufficient.

 

In Dogs, The Most Common Phobias Relate to Loud Noise

Dogs with noise phobias show symptoms including panting, pacing and hiding. These phobias can be so frightening that dogs will try and escape; this can lead to unnecessary injuries as a result. In dogs, the most common phobias relate to thunderstorms and loud noises.

With forward planning, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe treatment preemptively, but not all treatment needs to come from medications.

A thunder shirt can be a great way to easy the anxiety during summer storms and July 4 fireworks. Thunder shirts apply a gentle and constant pressure on the pet’s torso. Using pressure to relieve anxiety is a common practice; the pressure works in a similar manner to swaddling an infant.

In a recent study, almost 75% of pets were frightened by fireworks, but only 30% of owners sought help for their frightened pet. This summer, make sure your pet gets the love and attention they need during this particularly noisy time of year.

NoteWorthy – 4/19/20

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Around the Valley

Student Advocate Named Civic Fellow

Courtney Morin of Lawrence has been named Northern Essex Community College’s Newman Civic Fellow for her outstanding leadership roles and devotion to advocating for community college students.

Morin, a biology and philosophy major, was nominated by NECC President Lane Glenn, who wrote, “College faculty and staff describe Courtney with words such as motivated, collaborative, innovative, dedicated, change-maker, and advocate.”

During her first year at Northern Essex, Morin became the president of the Amnesty International Club. In spring 2017, she started as a general member of the Student Government Association. Morin has attended several advocacy days at the Massachusetts Statehouse to advocate for sexual assault prevention, college affordability, educational attainment disparities between white and Latinx students, housing and food insecurity, mental health and the interconnectedness of these issues. Morin currently serves as the vice president of the Haverhill Campus for SGA.

In fall 2018, she was elected as the NECC student trustee to the board of trustees.

“Beyond the NECC community, Courtney was elected in 2018 to serve as the Vice Chair of the Student Advisory Council to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, where she supported and promoted initiatives such as open educational resources (OER), changing student trustee eligibility requirements, and Every Voice Coalition’s bills, aimed at addressing sexual violence and misconduct on higher education campuses,” wrote Glenn.

The Newman Civic Fellowship distinguishes and supports students who have shown leadership and an investment in their communities across the country to help solve problems they may be facing.

 

ECCF Announces New Grant Program for Creative Nonprofits Affected by COVID-19

Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) is announcing the creation of the Essex County Creative Nonprofit Resiliency Grant Program.

Seeded with $100,000 from ECCF’s Creative County Initiative, the program will provide one-time grants to the Essex County cultural nonprofits that anchor vulnerable and vitally important cultural communities. The program will target small and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations with deep roots in their communities, that serve the economically vulnerable and are taking a long view towards recovery and sustainability.

During this time, ECCF encourages donors to continue their direct support of the arts and cultural organizations they have supported in the past. For more information, and to help sustain creative nonprofits by making a donation, please visit eccf.org/creative-county.

Individual artists are not eligible for The Essex County Creative Nonprofit Resiliency Program, but may be eligible for a grant from The Essex County Artist Fund. For more information, visit eccf.org/creative-county.

 

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and Community Teamwork Launch Acre Catalyst Fund

The Acre Catalyst Fund is a new collaborative project as part of Working Cities Lowell that provides businesses and entrepreneurs in the Acre neighborhood with funds and other support to start or expand their business ventures.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union has partnered with Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI) to launch the Acre Catalyst Fund, a new collaborative project that will enhance business and entrepreneurial opportunities within Lowell’s Acre neighborhood.

The credit union has committed $200,000 to the Entrepreneurship Center @CTI to capitalize an economic development initiative. The Entrepreneurship Center @CTI offers a broad range of business services. The Acre Catalyst Fund complements the center’s programs by making loans available to entrepreneurs, new and current Acre businesses, and businesses seeking to locate to the Acre, one of Lowell’s most impoverished neighborhoods.

“The Acre is more than a neighborhood to us,” said Mark Cochran, president and chief executive officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “This is where our organization began, and it’s still our home today. We have a responsibility to provide resources that can help neighborhoods thrive and give residents a pathway to economic opportunity. As a Working Cities Challenge member, the Credit Union is pleased to collaborate on this effort.”

The Acre Catalyst Fund is part of the Working Cities Lowell Initiative, a partnership between 13 local organizations, including Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and Community Teamwork, Inc. that work to improve the Acre.

In addition to loan capital, entrepreneurs and businesses that are part of the program will receive business and financial counseling and other supportive resources to help guide them in their business ventures. Applicants must meet specific criteria to be eligible.

For more information regarding The Acre Catalyst Fund visit www.GrowYourBusinessat CTI.org.

 

Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Launches Financial Program for Small Businesses

A new program from the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is helping the area’s smallest businesses where they need it most right now: Their pocketbooks.

“The COVID-19 crisis is wreaking havoc on Main Street small businesses across the United States,” says Dougan Sherwood, president of the Haverhill Chamber. “The Greater Haverhill Chamber has set up a new fund to drive desperately needed cash into these local mom and pops.”

Thanks to the program, people who shop at the participating businesses will get 25% off their purchase up to $100. They can find more details and participating businesses on the Haverhill Chamber’s website.

People can also help by donating to a GoFundMe campaign that the Chamber created to fund the initiative. It will use the fund to repay the businesses that provide a 25% discount to their customers.

Sherwood says the program will run for as long as it has funding.

“Please consider giving,” he says. “Then go shopping!”

 

Lupoli Delivers Pizza With a Purpose

On April 3, Sal Lupoli, the CEO and founder of Sal’s Pizza, delivered over 200 slices of pizza to Lawrence Memorial Hospital to thank the doctors, nurses, and hospital workers for their dedication and hard work. Then on April 8, Sal and wife Kati Lupoli, delivered pizzas to the Chelmsford Police and Fire Department. Through #pizzawithapourpose, Sal’s Pizza has discounted pizza at each of its locations and is providing pizza-making kits.

“Our mission is to help those that are helping our communities fight this virus. The courageous work that first responders are doing is hard and it does not go unnoticed. I hope that by delivering pizzas and saying thank you we can help our first responders in a small way” said Sal Lupoli, the CEO and Founder of the Lupoli Companies.

 

Student Entrepreneur Competition Tackles Health Care and Sustainability

Innovating even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, UMass Lowell students learning entrepreneurship skills presented their ideas for new products and services in a pitch competition held remotely for the first time.

UMass Lowell’s DifferenceMaker program brings together students in all majors and teaches them to think like entrepreneurs and launch their own businesses and nonprofits. This year, as the UMass Lowell community teaches and works remotely, students participated in the eighth annual DifferenceMaker $50K Idea Challenge via Zoom on Wednesday, April 15. The event was open to the public.

The contest’s judges, many of them UMass Lowell alumni, heard from students pitching ideas for everything from biodegradable face masks to a service that trains people to escape burning buildings. Winning teams will receive shares of $50,000 in seed money from private donations.

Since the DifferenceMaker program’s launch, UMass Lowell students have formed 35 companies, filed for eight patents and raised $4 million in funding. Successful ventures include Nonspec, which builds prosthetics for people in developing countries; TopaCan, which makes and sells a portable device that turns beverage cans into environmentally friendly receptacles for cigarette butts; and invisaWear, inventor and seller of a personal safety alert device that looks like jewelry.

 

Pentucket Bank Continues with Increase in Community Contributions Amid COVID-19

Pentucket Bank announced the third round of “Phase One” donations as part of the bank’s strategy to increase charitable giving by 20% in 2020 over the $400,000 that the bank donated in 2019.

On Friday, April 10, the bank informed the following organizations that they will be receiving $2,500 in unrestricted funds: Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Salem Family Resources and Essex Country Community Foundation. The bank is committed to placing these meaningful funds in the hands of several agencies that are continuing to provide critical services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. What the Bank is calling “Phase One” of their giving strategy includes ten local organizations and a total of $25,000; $2,500 for each of the ten. To date, the following organizations have also been recipients of these strategic bank contributions: Sarah’s Place Adult Day Health; Isaiah 58; Home Health Foundation; Emmaus Inc.; Boys & Girls Club of Haverhill, Boys & Girls Club of Salem and Family Services of Merrimack Valley.

For more information, please visit www.pentucketbank.com/covid19.

 

Haverhill Bank Provides $15 Million in SBA Funding to Local Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Restrictions

As a longtime participating lender in U.S. Small Business Administration programs, Haverhill Bank was prepared to help when Congress approved the Paycheck Protection Program. The PPP is the centerpiece of a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package and converts many loans into outright grants. Haverhill Bank President and CEO Thomas Mortimer said his institution has already funded $15 million to local businesses.

“This isn’t just about business. It’s personal. These are our families, neighbors, frontline workers at local businesses who need a helping hand as the nation faces the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s,” he said.

On the day the program launched two weeks ago, he said, Haverhill Bank was already coaching businesses remotely. As a result, it received more than 160 applications and $34 million in requests.

The program allows businesses to keep paying employees and/or bring back laid-off workers. For the kinds of small businesses served by Haverhill Bank, most businesses won’t have to repay the loan if they keep people on the payroll.

Mortimer said bank staff have worked tirelessly to process the applications since time was of the essence. He explained that Congress allocated $349 billion and the bank processed loans all the way up until the time the current round of funding ran out on Thursday.

“This program will save many businesses from continued hardship and will benefit many who are unemployed,” Mortimer added.

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