Helen Baldwin to Lead $1.1-Million Dollar Chamber Campaign Drive

 The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce has announced its 10^th annual Total Resource Campaign – Playing for Keeps.  The 12-week membership and sponsorship drive, benefiting the many programs of the Columbia Chamber, will kick off August 18. Helen Baldwin, property manager with NAI Avant, will lead the charge in raising $1.1 million dollars.

The 2010 Total Resource Campaign, lead by David Campbell of Chernoff Newman, surpassed its record breaking goal of $1.1 million with the support of more than 100 volunteers.

The 2011 Columbia Chamber Total Resource Campaign will be led by a team of vice chairs.

Team members include:

Campaign Co-Chair
David Anderson | First Citizens Bank

Campaign Vice Chair
Scott Blackmon | Blackmon Farms (former campaign Chair)
Todd Wagstaff | Comfort Services (former campaign Chair)
Tara Williams | AllSouth Federal Credit Union
Jennifer Suber | Suber Consulting

This year’s campaign will include reward sessions at various local businesses that will highlight campaign volunteers’ success. Those campaign volunteers that reach this year’s sales goal will be rewarded with an all inclusive trip for two to a tropical destination in January 2012.

To participate in the 2011 Total Resource Campaign – Playing for Keeps or to make a contribution, please contact Columbia Chamber Campaign Manager, Shannon Viera at 803.733.1116 or sviera@columbiachamber.com.

For more information on the 2011 Total Resource Campaign – Playing for Keeps, visit our Facebook page.

Monkey Joe’s Clemson Rd. Grand Opening Saturday, July 9th

Monkey Joe’s Clemson Rd. will open their doors Friday, July 8th from 10am-8pm with the Grand Opening on Saturday, July 9th. Saturday, doors will open at 10 am and the first 20 paying children will get a free t-shirt. The second group of 20 paying children will get a returning admission pass and the following 40 paying children will get a Monkey Joe’s kite! There will also be drawings for a free birthday party and frequent jump card!

Monkey Joe’s is an indoor inflatable-filled, fun and exciting party and play center. They offer wild inflatable slides, jumps and obstacle courses, plus TV’s, computer stations and wifi access for parents. Open 7 days/week for parties and anytime play.

To Check out all the excitement visit the location’s FB page.

Huggins Offers Plan for Transforming Transportation in Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA) must undergo a series of immediate changes if we are to begin transforming transportation in the Midlands, according to CMRTA advisor Derrick Huggins.

“We need to work together. We can’t just throw rocks. We need our community leaders to lead,” Huggins said on Thursday before a crowd of more than 100 at a forum hosted by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce at IT-oLogy.

Huggins proposed a plan that recommended multiple “catalysts for transformation,” including restructuring the CMRTA board, hiring a dynamic new executive director, creating a competitive bidding process for operator services, and increasing transparency and accountability.

He also emphasized that the transit authority must secure sustainable funding, revitalize its image, improve operations, explore system innovations, and expand community partnerships.

Huggins, an associate vice president for transportation at the University of South Carolina, served as an advisor to the CMRTA from March 1 to May 31.

“What Derrick has given us today is a new road to travel,” said Mike Brenan, Chairman of the Columbia Chamber’s Board of Directors. “As of today, the future isn’t what it was yesterday.”

Brenan noted that improving transportation is a vital part of improving the Midlands.

“There is not a great American city that doesn’t have a great public transportation system,” Brenan said. “If we want a great American city, we need a great public transportation system.”

Joyce Dickerson, who serves as the Chair of the CMRTA Board, said she is hopeful Huggins’ plan will be the beginning of a new journey for the CMRTA.

“We have a lot of struggles to overcome, but we are where we are,” Dickerson said. “We are here today looking forward saying that we cannot stay here. We must move forward.”

 

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