Chamber members,
OPERATION: MOM’S COOKIES, the organization that sends care packages
to our soldiers overseas, needs more space. Currently, MOM’S rents an
800- square foot building in Davy Industrial Park. When product comes
in, the volunteers workspace is quite cramped.

MOM’S wants to stay in Wilmington; loves the people here, and
especially our post office. MOM’S would like a location served by
Comcast, as the company will help the organization with phone service.

If anybody has 1,000-1,200 square feet suitable for storing food that
could be made available at a reasonable price, please contact Pam at

815 476-7966.

The Chamber is giving you a chance to join in the Catfish Days
Medallion Hunt. This is a great way to create traffic into your store
by being a sponsor. It costs $50, but in reality you can make your
money back and a whole lot more.

The theme chosen by the Catfish Days Committee is “Under the Sea”
That dates for the event are July 23-26.

Here’s how it works
The chamber gives sponsors clues to hand out during Catfish Days.
Your business is advertised in the Catfish Days tab delivered to
17,800 area homes, inviting participants to obtain clues at your
store. (TRAFFIC BUILDER #1) Five paper medallions, each worth $5 in
merchandise or service at your store, are hidden along with the big
medallions during catfish Days. When the  paper medallions are
redeemed at your business, you honor the  $5 discount and save the
paper medallion. Odds are the finder is going to spend more than the
$5 in your store or bring family members to eat, etc..  You return
the paper medallions to the Chamber and we’ll give you $5 back per
each found.  There are other medallions hidden worth $1,000 in
chamber gift certificates.  If and when those acrylic medallions are
found, the recipients are given a list of the sponsors where they can
go spend that $1,000.  (TRAFFIC BUILDER #3) The more they spread
those certificates around, the better off sponsors will be as they
come out ahead of their original $50 sponsorship

This is a win-win investment for your business. You show support to
your community, draw attention to your business and can come out way
ahead of $50.

To be included reply to this email and write a $50 check to the
chamber. Or give me a call so we can prepare the publicity to include
your business.  We have nine sponsors who have signed up so far and
the deadline is fast approaching.

As many of you already know, Chamber secretary Mary Soucie, director of the Wilmington Public Library, has accepted a position in the Three Rivers Library District in Channahon-Minooka. The Wilmington library is hosting an open house in her honor on April 28th from 12-2  at the library, 201 S. Kankakee St.

If you have any questions, contact
Nikeda F. Webb
Assistant Director
Wilmington Public Library District
201 S. Kankakee St.
Wilmington, IL. 60481
815-476-2834
815-476-7805 fax
www.wilmingtonlibrary.org

First, from 5 to 8 p.m., U.S. Cold Storage, at 900 E. Kankakee River
Drive, is opening its doors to the community. Visitors will have the
opportunity to tour this state-of-the-art frozen foods warehouse
facility with its 19,000-pallet capacity. Please stop by and welcome
operations manager Jason Andrjeski and staff to the community.

Then, at 7 p.m. at Wilmington City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce will
host a candidate forum for those running for School Board and City
Council. President Eric Fisher will be the moderator. The public is
encouraged to provide questions. We hope to see you there, as the
decisions made by these two bodies greatly affect the community,
including the business community.

2008 REC AND SERVICE FAIR
Friday Sept. 12th
Event Time 5:30-7:30 (set-up 4:30-5:15)
(Rain date Friday Sept 19th)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY FRIENDS OF THE WILMINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY AND FAMILY FUN

The Friends of the Wilmington Public library are proud to announce the first annual Rec and Service fair. This event is intended to highlight Wilmington area businesses and organizations that provide opportunities for family friendly activities.

During the Rec and Service fair you can showcase your group by setting up a display table during one of the highly attended Family Fun Nights, sponsored by the WE-PTO and Wilmington Library District. These functions are generally attended by school age children and their parents. This is a great opportunity for you to let the community know you are out there and to boost attendance at your group’s events.

During the fair you will have a 6′ display area on the patio adjacent to the Pavilion area of North Island Park. Non-Profit organizations will be able to attend free of charge, businesses will be asked to contribute a $10.00 set up fee. We encourage you to bring enrollment and activity information about your group. You also may want to bring a small craft or activity for the children to do while you are discussing your group with their parents.

Contact:

Mary J. Soucie, MLIS
Library Director
(815) 476-2834
mjsoucie@wilmingtonlibrary.org

We will be having our Trunk or Treat during trick or treat hours on Halloween.  Our theme this year is “Super Heroes”.  We are asking that you decorate yourself and your vehicle to match the theme (batman, incredible, x-men, etc.) If you would like a space please contact Josh LaGrange with the First Christian Church - josh.jen@sbcglobal.net or 815-476-6734.  Spaces are free, but we only have 25 spaces available.

What is required of each business?
If you get a space you must have 1 vehicle (trunk, van, car, etc) and you can pass out candy, goodie bags, advertisements, etc.  Some people may choose to just pass out candy, others may choose to have games or activities for the kids (plus candy).  That is up to you.

We want this to be a family friendly / kid friendly event.  We ask that no graphic violence, blood, etc be displayed on any of the vehicles.

We will be giving out awards for the best decorated trunk and the best dressed.

Where will this be advertised?
The Wilmington School District has been absolutely wonderful and they have allowed me to put one postcard in every kids hands between the grades K-5th for most all of my events.  The superintendent’s office has expressed interest in this event, and I believe that they will allow me to get 1 postcard in each kids hands for this also.  So I am hoping that we will be busy all night.

Starting at the beginning of October we will have the below ad running in the Mar Theatre

We will also make extra postcards for all 25 business that are going to be involved and you can set them out at your business or pass them out as you choose.

Again, spaces are limited we only have 25 so this will be on a first come first serve basis.

The Chamber is giving you a chance to join in the Catfish Days
Medallion Hunt. This is a great way to create traffic into your store
by being a sponsor. It costs $50, but in reality you can make your
money back and a whole lot more.

Here’s how it works
The chamber gives sponsors clues to hand out during Catfish Days.
Your business is advertised in the Catfish Days tab delivered to
17,800 area homes, inviting participants to obtain clues at your
store. (TRAFFIC BUILDER #1) Five paper medallions, each worth $5 in
merchandise or service at your store, are hidden along with the big
medallions during catfish Days. When the  paper medallions are
redeemed at your business, you honor the  $5 discount and save the
paper medallion. Odds are the finder is going to spend more than the
$5 in your store or bring family members to eat, etc..  You return
the paper medallions to the Chamber and we’ll give you $5 back per
each found.  There are other medallions hidden worth $1,000 in
chamber gift certificates.  If and when those acrylic medallions are
found, the recipients are given a list of the sponsors where they can
go spend that $1,000.  (TRAFFIC BUILDER #3) The more they spread
those certificates around, the better off sponsors will be as they
come out ahead of their original $50 sponsorship

This is a win-win investment for your business. You show support to
your community, draw attention to your business and can come out way
ahead of $50.

To be included send Eric an email at eric.fisher@cbcast.com  and write a $50 check to the
chamber. Or give Eric a call at 815-476-7966 so we can prepare the publicity to include
your business.  We have nine sponsors who have signed up so far and
the deadline is fast approaching.

School District 209-U will host Business After Hours on Thursday, April 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the new Wilmington High School on Wildcat Court, including refreshments and tours of the building. RSVP to Linda Phifer at 815-476-2594 by Wednesday, April 16.

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at noon, at Junipers (formerly Sunrise Cafe) in the courtyard in Winchester Green Center.