Business Bulletin

BrightBridge Credit Union Conducts Back-to-School Drive; Delivers to Area Schools

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BrightBridge Credit Union completed a back-to-school drive last month, collecting school supplies from staff, members and community supporters at each of the credit union’s 19 branch locations. In addition to notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers and other classroom essentials, BrightBridge also collected hygiene items such as hand sanitizers and tissues after several schools identified a specific need for products that keep classrooms healthy and students thriving. “Education is one of the strongest building blocks for a brighter future,” said BrightBridge Regional Sales Manager Kinjal Singh. “We’re so grateful for the generosity of our members and team, who came together to donate and ensure that students can succeed in the classroom.”

Supplies were donated to Dr. Albert B. Consentino School, Haverhill; Pollard School, Plaistow, N.H.; Tenney and Comprehensive Grammar Schools, Methuen; Atkinson Elementary School, North Andover; and Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School, Amesbury, among others.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill’s Legendary Barker Subject of Haverhill Rotary’s ‘Roast and Toast’ Oct. 9

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Longtime Haverhill business leader and volunteer Elaine Barker will be subjected to some good-natured ribbing and high praises next month when she is the focus of Rotary Club of Haverhill’s annual “Roast and Toast.”

Barker, who is said to be approaching 90 years old, continues to operate her longtime Broadway business, Paper Potpourri, but is credited with founding Haverhill’s Brightside beautification program nearly 20 years ago, serving All Saints Church, playing the role of ambassador at Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce events and cheerleading myriad charitable causes. Haverhill Rotary’s “Roast and Toast” takes place Thursday, Oct. 9, starting at 5:30 p.m., at Bradford Country Club, 201 Chadwick Road, Bradford. Admission is $100 per ticket and may be reserved online here. Tables seat eight.

Business Bulletin

BrightBridge Credit Union Offers ‘Shred Day’ Saturday in Lawrence

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Those who wish to securely dispose of sensitive papers have an opportunity to have them safely shred Saturday during “Shred Day” by BrightBridge Credit Union, formerly Merrimack Valley Credit Union. Members of the credit union and the community at large are invited to bring outdated or unwanted documents with sensitive information. This includes documents containing a signature, account number, social security number or medical or legal information that is no longer necessary to keep. BrightBridge notes proper disposal of documents is imperative to protecting private personal information. Shred Day takes place Saturday, Sept.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Plans Annual Public Safety Breakfast Monday at Merrimack College

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The Essex County district attorney and sheriff and police chiefs from Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover, Lawrence and Andover are taking part in Monday’s Annual Public Safety Breakfast Forum at Merrimack College. The breakfast forum by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce is being billed as “What you need to know for your business, family and home.” It features Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger and Police Chiefs Robert P. Pistone Jr., Haverhill; Scott J. McNamara, Methuen; Charles Gray, North Andover; Maurice Aguiler, Lawrence; and Patrick Keefe, Andover. The breakfast takes place Monday, Sept. 22, from 7:30-9 a.m., at Merrimack College Arcidi Hall, Conference Room A, 315 Turnpike St., North Andover. Parking is in Lot A.

Admission is $35 each for Merrimack Valley Chamber members and $45 each for non-members and may be reserved online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Business Bulletin

Healey Appoints Haverhill Woman to Business DRIVE Acceleration Team

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A Haverhill woman who heads MassBio was among those named Tuesday to the governor’s new DRIVE Acceleration Team, which is charged with “exploring new methods and strategies to strengthen Massachusetts’ research and innovation ecosystem.”

Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, president and CEO of MassBio, was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey as one of the 57 private sector members of DRIVE, which stands for Discovery, Research, Innovation for a Vibrant Economy. The initiative targets education, health care, life sciences and advanced manufacturing that employs tens of thousands, while also sustaining jobs in construction, food services, retail, transportation and others. The group will evaluate opportunities to bolster the sector, including proposing methods to finance research projects and develop public-private partnerships across industries. “People around the world rely on the cures and scientific advancements that come from Massachusetts researchers,” said Healey. “Not only is our work critical to global health, but it is the economic lifeblood of our economy.”

The group is chaired by Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfre, and includes leaders from the science research sector, higher education, labor, business groups and philanthropists.

Business Bulletin

Northeastern Massachusetts YWCA Chooses Ortiz to Succeed Staples as CEO

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Maricelis Ortiz was named last week as the Northeastern Massachusetts YWCA’s chief executive officer. Ortiz has served as the organization’s chief operating officer for two years. She succeeds longtime CEO Susan Staples who is retiring after 21 years. “As a woman, I am empowered by the opportunity to support other women and families through the work we do at the YWCA. I am particularly proud to be the first Latina to lead the YWCA in its 133-year history.

Business Bulletin

AG Campbell Wins $3.9 Million in Refunds for Boston Sports Club Members Billed During COVID-19

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Members of Boston Sports Club who were charged for memberships that could not be used during the pandemic will share in about $3.9 million in refunds. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said last week the Suffolk County Superior Court found Patrick Walsh, former CEO of Town Sports International, unfairly charged members in April 2020 for services he knew would not be provided, made deceptive statements to members and violated the Health Club Act by thwarting members’ abilities to cancel memberships and failing to honor cancellation requests. “After years of litigation and a multiweek trial, I am incredibly proud of my team who fought tirelessly to secure meaningful relief for Massachusetts consumers who were unfairly charged for services they could not use during the global pandemic,” said Campbell. “This victory sends a clear message that my office will continue to prioritize consumers and enforcement of our strong consumer protection laws.”

In 2020, the company permanently closed its gym in Bradford along with several other locations. Choice Fitness took over operations of Boston Sports Clubs locations in Peabody, Methuen and Salisbury in 2022.

Business Bulletin

CNA Stores Present ‘Charity Jar’ Donations to Our Neighbors’ Table

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CNA Stores in Haverhill and Amesbury last month presented a ceremonial check of more than $20,000 to Amesbury-based Our Neighbors’ Table. The presentation reflects donations through the company’s payment round up program in June and an earlier one in 2022 of $9,312 in 2022. As WHAV previously reported, customers of CNA Stores in Haverhill and Amesbury recently donated $22,240 through the company’s charity jar program to Our Neighbors’ Table. Our Neighbors’ Table serves Amesbury, Boxford, Byfield, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury and South Hampton, N.H.

“That’s not from big corporate checks—it’s from regular people rounding up their change, tossing in a dollar, or adding a few bucks to their order without hesitation,” CNA Stores said in a release. Last month’s Horses Healing Hearts charity jar effort raised $23,251.