Columbus Chamber Blog: Information about economic development, economic and business trends, Columbus workforce, programs, events and the Chamber of Commerce in and around Columbus, OH

Member Spotlight: Recreation Unlimited Farm and Fun

About Our Company:

Founded in 1958, Recreation Unlimited Farm and Fun is a 501©3 not-for profit organization serving individuals with physical and developmental disabilities and health concerns supported through the development efforts of the Recreation Unlimited Foundation.  The mission of Recreation Unlimited is to provide year-round programs in sports, recreation and education for individuals with disabilities and health concerns, while building self-confidence, self-esteem and promoting positive human relations, attitudes and behaviors. 

The organization has 12 full-time associates.  During the “peak” seasons of March through October, Recreation Unlimited hires up to an additional 125 seasonal associates consisting of counselors, program leaders, operations support and nurses in support of the Recreation Unlimited camp programs.  Recreation Unlimited relies significantly on the generosity of many dedicated benefactors through fund raising activities that include corporate sponsorships, special events, direct mail, grants, endowed scholarships, construction support and planned gifts and bequests.

Why We’re Chamber Members:

Recreation Unlimited serves individuals with disabilities and health concerns throughout central Ohio with the largest participation group coming from Franklin County.  As a not-for-profit 501(c) 3, Recreation Unlimited solicits funds for its camps and camper scholarship program with the largest emphasis from the Columbus business community.  By joining the Chamber, Recreation Unlimited wishes to maintain a connection with the local Columbus business community.

Fun Facts about Our Company

1. We are one of the largest providers in the state of Ohio for individuals with disabilities and health concerns in the area of sports, recreation and education.
2. We maintain a pristine 195-acre accessible campus with multiple buildings and program areas.
3. We serve 3,700 individuals with disabilities and health concerns on an annual basis.
4. Currently, we are in the process of working on a $13 million dollar building and endowment campaign, as we grow our camps and programs in support of individuals with disabilities and health concerns.
5. To date, we have accomplished building a new 20,000 square foot life center and a new 2,472 square foot aquatic playground, renovated our creative center and renovated our three residence halls.

Featured Product or Service

Our accessible campus, which opened in 1989, served over 6,500 individuals in 2011. Of those served, 3,700 had disabilities and health concerns and 1,500 were served through the Recreation Unlimited Summer Residential, Winter Residential, Summer Day, Year Round Respite Weekend and specialty week long and weekend camps and programs.

Recreation Unlimited is an American Camp Association accredited camp, an Ohio Medicaid waiver provider and is licensed through the Delaware County Health Department to operate residential and day camps.

www.recreationunlimited.org

 

 

 

 

Member Spotlight: Crown Services, Inc.

About Our Company                    

Crown Services, Inc. is a privately held, full service specialty staffing firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Currently, we operate in nine Midwestern states with more than 35 offices to choose from.

Why We’re Chamber Members  

We’re Chamber Members and Columbus Region Logistics Council members because we want to learn more about businesses in the Columbus area and we want to enhance the business community as a service provider. 

Fun Facts about Our Company

• We are a certified Women’s Business Enterprise National Council company
• Our product is people
• We are a family-owned 44 year-old business
• Many of our non-family staff members have been with the company for more than 30 years

Featured Product or Service

• Staffing – finding the right people with the right skills to keep your company or organization running smoothly and productively
• Contracting – technical and management placements for a period of time
• Recruiting – searching for the executive, engineer or manager that will enjoy your company culture and have the talent you need
• Payroll Service – for those times when you don’t want to add to your headcount, either seasonally or for long term projects

http://www.crownservices.com/

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or connect with our staff on LinkedIn.

Member Spotlight: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

About Our Company

The Dave Thomas Foundation works to provide foster care children with permanent homes. The foundation was started by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, who was also adopted. Thomas passed away 10 years ago, but his legacy lives on through The Wendy’s Company and through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

 

Why We’re Chamber Members

As a national nonprofit based in Central Ohio, we understand the value of connecting with our community.

Fun Facts About Our Company

• July 31 of this year will mark our 20^th year in service.
• We are the only national nonprofit public charity organization dedicated solely to finding homes for children in foster care.
• We have a very lean staff of only 14 who run all of our national, state and local initiatives, including fundraising, programs and awareness.
• We recently launched a new fundraising initiative: DTFA Kickball for a Home. The inaugural tournament was held in Columbus at Fred Beekman Park in October 2011. Companies and individuals can organize their own tournaments. Find more information about the fundraiser at dtfakickball.com.

Featured Product or Service

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, a signature program of the Foundation, awards grants to public and private adoption agencies. The grants go towards hiring adoption professionals who execute proactive, child-focused recruitment programs targeted exclusively at moving America’s longest-waiting children from foster care into adoptive families.

The Foundation recently released the results of a five-year research study on Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, which found that children in the program are up to three times more likely to get adopted. Curriculum is currently being developed in order to embed the program into foster care adoption best practices throughout the country.

For more information visit:

davethomasfoundation.org

wendyswonderfulkids.org

adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org

dtfakickball.org

 

Member Spotlight: ECOMAIDS

ECOMAIDS is Ohio's premier green cleaning company, providing eco-friendly cleaning services to homes and businesses throughout the Greater Columbus area. We use green seal certified cleaning solutions and methods, multi-level HEPA-filtered vacuums and microfiber tools and cloths. Our employees are screened, bonded and insured and trained in the most progressive green cleaning techniques.

Why We’re Chamber Members

We wanted to gain more exposure in the community and grow the business by attending Chamber events.

Fun Facts About ECOMAIDS

Our team looks at every job with a positive attitude, no matter how challenging. We try to make every day fun.

Featured Product or Service

Our products are our best feature. They are toxic free and safe for children, pets, your home and the environment.

www.ecomaids.com/columbus

Member Spotlight: MAPFRE Insurance

MAPFRE Insurance, a brand of American Commerce Insurance Company, has earned a reputation for providing exceptional personal lines vehicle and home insurance solutions to individuals around the country. We've listened very carefully to what customers want from an insurance company. We've learned how to gain their business and confidence, and how to keep it.

Why we’re Chamber Members:
As strong advocates of community involvement, becoming a Chamber member was a natural choice. We’ve been doing business in Columbus for more than 60 years and we take much pride in the capital city’s diverse culture and community-minded focus.

Fun Facts about MAPFRE Insurance:

• MAPFRE is the official sponsor of #1 ranked tennis star, Rafael Nadal.
• Globally, MAPFRE is represented in more than 40 countries.
• MAPFRE regularly partners with the Mall at Tuttle Crossing to host fun-filled events such as Auto Safety Day, Back-to-School and Welcome Home.
• Claim to Fame: In the early 90s, MAPFRE (then ACIC) replaced all of its furniture with Kimball Office furniture. The new look was so well received that Kimball used pictures of our offices in several trade magazines.
• Clif Murfin, founder, authored Murfin: An Autobiography, which tells the story of ACIC’s history, founded in 1946 and originally known as Auto Club Insurance Agency.

Featured Product or Service:

MAPFRE Insurance offers preferred auto, home and umbrella insurance products in addition to a variety of discounts such as multi-policy, homeowner, advanced shopping and more. Our Peace of Mind package option provides accident forgiveness and deductible credits up to $500.

Exceeding customer expectations is a core value infused throughout our organization. Superior service and caring attitudes have long been hallmarks of both our employees and agents. We strive to impress each customer with the quality and timeliness of our services by treating them as we wish to be treated, with courtesy and by name, not just by a policy number.

www.mapfreinsurance.com

Member Spotlight: Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry

About My Company:

Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry is a full-service psychiatric hospital providing inpatient treatment services to children, adolescents, adults and senior adults. Our senior psychiatric inpatient program, Generations, provides specialized programming for Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among older adults. We also offer a Partial Hospitalization Program (day treatment) for adults Monday through Friday. Confidential assessments by clinical staff are available at no cost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Why We’re Chamber Members: 

Columbus is a great city to live and work, with top businesses and expert services. We feel it is important to partner with other businesses in our community, to find out how we can work together to support each other in our mutual goals to serve this great community. 

Fun Facts about my Company: 

Our motto is, “Giving hope back” and our loving, caring and dedicated staff provide a nurturing environment that is conducive to emotional healing. We host a monthly continuing education seminar on a variety of mental health topics for professionals, as well as, for the general public.  Many visitors, especially those who have never visited a psychiatric hospital before, often comment with surprise that our hospital is beautiful, quiet and serene. 

Featured Product/Service:

Statistics indicate that 32.4 percent or 75 million Americans suffer from mental health disorders. That means 1 in 3 Americans could be diagnosed with a mental disorder in any given year. Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry is dedicated to helping individuals and families in our community cope with life’s challenges and learn how to live happier, healthier, and more satisfying lives.  Our dedicated staff is available 24/7 to talk to you about an assessment at no cost to determine how we can help. 

www.ohp-columbus.com

Young Professionals Spotlight: NextGen Dublin Young Professionals Group

Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of December, NextGen Dublin Young Professional Group is featured.

When and why was the NextGen Dublin Young Professionals Group founded?
NextGen Dublin Young Professionals Group was founded in 2007 to offer young professionals in the area opportunities to connect through professional development, peer networking and community volunteer opportunities. Today, this growing organization has nearly 250 members!

Why become a member?
NextGen Dublin offers you opportunities to meet up-and-coming business professionals and community leaders through monthly events and leadership roles in the group. In addition, you can grow professionally through various educational seminars and leadership development programs and personally through community volunteer opportunities.

Additional benefits of joining this great organization include:
• Discounted admission to networking events, socials and sporting events
• Professional development workshops
• Connection to Dublin business and community leaders
• Leadership development and mentoring opportunities
• Recognition through member spotlights online and in our newsletter, NextGen Dublin eNews
• Invitation to exclusive, members-only events
• Information about community events and volunteer opportunities

What are some successes or cool facts about NextGen Dublin?
Young professionals just like you run NextGen Dublin. The NextGen Dublin Leadership Council is comprised of outstanding young professionals who meet on a regular basis to help set the events for the year, determine the volunteer efforts they want to support and establish new programs that young professionals would enjoy. For example, one new program created this year by the Leadership Council is called Re-Luncheonships (new relationships over lunch). This new program allows you to meet with one or two other NextGen Dublin members over lunch as a way to network in a more personal setting. Our first Re-Luncheonship is on January 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Tell me about your upcoming events.
One of our best professional development programs, the Leadership Academy, starts on January 18, 2012. This is a focused six-session program that helps you become a leader in your professional career and plugged in to our community. In addition, as a graduate of this program, you will:
• Polish your Business Skills
• Learn New Career Management Techniques
• Network with Area Business Leadership
• Meet Up-And-Coming Young Professionals
• Be Matched with a Business Mentor at the Conclusion of the Program
The sessions are from 6 to 8 p.m. on January 18, February 1, February 15, February 29, March 14 and March 28. Tuition for the six-session program is only $299 per person and can be sponsored by your employer. For more information or to register, call the Dublin Chamber of Commerce at 614-889-2001.

We also have great networking, volunteer and educational seminars planned every month. Check out our full list of events online.

How do I become a member?
To sign up, go online or call the Dublin Chamber at 614-889-2001.

Where can I go to learn more about NextGen Dublin?
For more information, go to http://www.nextgendublin.com/ or call the Dublin Chamber at 614-889-2001.

To learn about more than 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.

Member Spotlight: Netcare Access

About My Company

Netcare Access provides 24 hour mental health and substance abuse crisis intervention, stabilization and assessment for Franklin County residents. These services are provided 365 days a year for children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Referral and linkage, if necessary, is often provided to local agencies for therapeutic treatment.  Netcare is staffed with skilled physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and counselors.  Services are available to anyone; regardless of the ability to pay. Netcare Access is known as your connection to Franklin County’s Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health system of care.

Why We’re Chamber Members

Netcare became a Chamber member in order to utilize the numerous resources the Columbus Chamber offers and to make connections and build relationships with Columbus area business professionals. We hope that as we promote the important mission of Netcare, Chamber members who are interested in giving back in our community might become interested in joining our efforts.

Fun facts about your company

• Netcare is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to provide all Franklin County residents with mental health and substance abuse crisis and assessment services.
• No one in need of crisis care is turned away; regardless of their ability to pay.
• More than 22,000 crisis and assessment services are provided annually to youths, adults and older adults in need.
• Netcare has served Franklin County since 1972.

Featured product/service

At some point, 1 in 4 Americans will suffer with a diagnosable mental illness, regardless of race, gender or age. Mental health and substance abuse issues affect every family. Netcare is dedicated to being available any time of the night or day to provide crisis intervention, stabilization and referral services. We are known as Franklin County’s Connection to Care.

www.netcareaccess.org

Member Spotlight: Saluki Environmental LLC

About My Company                                                                                

Saluki Environmental LLC is a single member company created to provide affordable environmental compliance services to industrial facilities. Staff has over 23 years of experience interpreting environmental regulations and providing solutions for everyday situations that may involve environmental protection agencies. Saluki specializes in hazardous waste management and spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plans.

Why We’re Columbus Chamber Members 

Saluki joined the Columbus Chamber because the Chamber offers opportunities to develop contacts with industrial facilities that may need environmental compliance assistance. The Chamber also provides name recognition and credibility for its members. Additionally, the Chamber website helps connect member companies with products and services offered by other members. Of course, discounts are an important aspect of Chamber membership because the savings realized often pay a portion of the membership costs.

Fun Facts About My Company

The saluki, an Egyptian hunting dog, is one of the oldest breed of dogs known and is the mascot of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

There are only approximately 2,574 board certified environmental engineers by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. 

The Environmental Protection Agency issued violations to facilities amounting to more than $110 million in penalties and an estimated $12 billion in pollution controls and environmental projects in fiscal year 2010. 

Featured Product or Service

Saluki Environmental LLC is a single member company created to provide affordable environmental compliance services to industrial facilities. 

A typical service offered by Saluki is the development of a spill prevention, control and countermeasure plan, which is required by EPA to prevent releases of oil. Industrial facilities, such as an automotive repair garage, that store oil more than 1,320 gallons may require an SPCC Plan. 

For more information about the types of services offered by Saluki visit www.salukienvironmental.com

 

 

Member Spotlight: Kevin Drewyor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

As a representative with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, I work with clients to identify their financial security needs and then focus on solutions that can help make their goals a reality. I rely not only on my own knowledge and experience, but also on the expertise of a team of specialists available through the Network.

Why I'm a Chamber Member
I joined the Columbus Chamber in order to meet other professionals in the Columbus area. I’m also involved with networking groups such as GetDot, Big Fish, Network Columbus, CYP and Business First.

Fun Facts About My Company
Northwestern Mutual is:
-One of the top 50 "World's Most Admired" companies by Fortune Magazine in 2011
-Ranked #112 for Fortune 500 companies in 2011
-Named best company to sell for in the financial services industry by Selling Power Magazine in 2010

For my information, visit my website www.nmfn.com/kevindrewyor.