Tag Archive for: #hendersonvancechamberofcommerce

TownTalk: ‘Shop With A Cop And Friends’ Reception: Fun With A Purpose

/by

Wednesday’s celebratory reception for the Shop With a Cop and Friends program was sprinkled with laughter, music and levity, but the underlying message shone clearly in remarks by everybody from Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson on down to local law enforcement leaders – it’s all for the kids.

“This is what we do and what we get excited about,” Wilkerson said as she kicked off the official part of the program, thanking sponsors and providing details about the actual shopping day – Friday, Dec. 20.

Shopping Day is a special, special day, she said, adding that law enforcement officers and others will join “the other million people” taking care of last-minute shopping at the Henderson Walmart.

But Vance County Schools students don’t start their holiday break until lunchtime on that day, so Wilkerson said they’ll get going about 3 p.m.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to deliver you a check like we did last year,” Wilkerson said to Sheriff Curtis Brame, Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Fire Chief Tim Twisdale, referring to the $15,000 that the program got to share with children on their shopping spree.

Shop With a Cop is a memorable experience for the children, but it’s also something adults are sure to remember as well, Brame said, “to see the excitement in children’s eyes” as they stroll the aisles.

But it’s also a humbling experience, he said, to see kids who want to buy gifts for their parents and siblings instead of for themselves.

Chief Barrow recalled that the department started the program some years ago, a small-scale effort to give back to those in need. When the Chamber president approached the department with the idea of forming a partnership, it was a no-brainer. The first year of that partnership raised about $6,000, he said, and has ballooned to $15,000 under Wilkerson and her team.

“We’ve gotten so much support,” Barrow said. “It’s more than Shop With a Cop – it’s a partnership” that involves the Department of Social Services, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks, the City Council, city manager, county manager, among all the other community supporters.

A highlight of the event was finding out who won the cash prizes associated with the 180 raffle tickets that were sold – four cash prizes were awarded – $200, $500, $1,000 and the top prize of $2,000.

As each name was drawn, Wilkerson easily called them out:

Juanita Sommerville, Kendrick Vann, Hal Muetzel. (Congratulations, by the way!)

But the $2,000 winner had her puzzled, and she may have not wanted to admit it, but she said she didn’t recognize the name: Sam…Citgo?

After a few failed attempts from the gathering to claim the prize, however, the picture became clear. HPD’s Tony Mills spoke up from the crowd to say he stopped by the gas station, “and the rascal bought three tickets.”

Citgo wasn’t the person’s last name – it was his place of business. So, Sam from Citgo, the purchase of three tickets paid off.

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Morse Clinic Ribbon Cutting

/by

Vance Recovery’s new 7,000 square-foot facility on West Andrews Avenue was officially welcomed Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local business leaders and county and municipal officials. But for now, the clinic will continue to provide services at its 510 Dabney Drive location.

Clinic owner Dr. Eric Morse and Program Director John Mattocks look forward to being able to welcome patients to the more spacious clinic by mid- to late November.

Morse’s MOUD approach – Medications to treat Opioid Use Disorder – helps individuals overcome addictions to street drugs like heroin and Fentanyl.

Mattocks told WIZS back in September he would love for people plagued by addiction to be encouraged and celebrated for choosing the MOUD approach instead of coming to the clinic as a last resort.

Vance Recovery is one of nine – soon to be 11 – clinics owned and operated by Morse, a nationally acclaimed leader in the field of opioid treatment and recovery programs. He said at the ribbon-cutting that Vance Recovery was the second of the clinics to open – in 2013 – and will be the largest once it occupies its new space at 932 W. Andrews Ave.

“We’re really excited about being able to treat even more people,” he said. “The Fentanyl epidemic is killing a lot of people.” He said he appreciates the local partnerships that Vance Recovery enjoys, from the City of Henderson to Maria Parham Health, Granville Vance Public Health, Daymark and others.

Although Vance Recovery currently is fully staffed, there are plans to add staff and be able to serve more clients.  During a walking tour of the new clinic, Morse said, “Because we have more space, we’ll be able to have more counselors and grow. So that’s a really important thing.”

Vance Recovery staffs a medical provider, at least one, Monday through Friday.  Morse said, “We don’t like for anybody to have to wait to see the doctor. If you need to be seen that day, you should be seen that day. And if we need to increase our doctor time, we’ve got other doctors who can give more.”

Also, Morse said there are usually at least four nurses working.

Morse now owns the clinic’s physical space and will be leasing to providers who are like-minded so there will be co-location to help more people.  Morse said, “So any of our patients that need that higher level of care, they don’t have to go anywhere else, they’re going to be here anyway to dose but they can also get more intensive counseling.”

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott said, “We already know the challenges we have in our community,” adding that patients who come to Vance Recovery also “get that hope and stay alive.”

Margier White, a member of the H-V Chamber board, said Vance County is fortunate to have the clinic in the community, which provides support not only to the addicted individual, but also to family members. White said she has had family members who have died from addiction, so having a clinic like Vance Recovery in the local area is “near and dear to my heart.”

Dr. Shauna Guthrie, GVPH medical director and chief medical officer at Maria Parham Health, said, “Vance Recovery has been an excellent partner for the hospital, for the health department,” and other agencies who provide services to patients with addiction.

Guthrie said people with opioid use disorder “often feel forgotten, neglected, ignored.” Having a shiny new clinic shows them, she said, that they are NOT forgotten, neglected or ignored because they have “a really nice place to go for care.”

CLICK PLAY!

State Of Transportation Topic Of Oct. 30 ‘Lunch And Learn’

/by

The “State of Transportation” Lunch and Learn session sponsored by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, Oct.  30 at 12 noon at the Henderson Country Club.

NCDOT Division 5 Engineer Brandon Jones is scheduled to be the featured speaker. Jones, a 28-year employee of NCDOT, oversees operations for the seven counties in Division 5 which includes project development, project delivery, maintenance of roads and bridges and traffic operations. Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin counties are included in Division 5, along with Person, Durham and Wake counties.

The cost per person is $30 or $240 for a table of eight and lunch is included. Please register by Oct. 25.

To register, contact the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 or email Chamber Director of Admin & Marketing Tanya Weary at tanya@hendersonvance.org.

The Local Skinny! Fire Prevention Lunch And Learn Oct. 3

/by

In observance of National Fire Prevention Month, the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, along with Abria’s Chase Foundation and the Henderson Fire Department, present a Lunch and Learn at Station #1 on Thursday, Oct. 3 beginning at 12 noon.

The deadline to sign up is Monday, Sept. 30, so please call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 or email Tanya Wilson at tanya@hendersonvance.org to register.

Ayana Lewis of Abria’s Chase Foundation said their mission is to prevent others from experiencing the tragedy she and her family endured because of a house fire. Two of the couple’s children perished in a 2009 housefire.

Since 2010, the nonprofit helps provide smoke detectors, support groups and other resources to families who have found themselves in need.

Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said he and his staff strive to engage the community about smoke alarms, including talking with residents who live in areas with a higher instance of fires In addition to making sure homes have working smoke alarms, Twisdale said he and fellow firefighters remind people about the proper use of drop cords and safe placement of supplemental heat sources like space heaters.

Fires that involve cooking account for half of all fires nationwide, he said, adding that “local numbers reflect that also. Never leave cooking appliances unattended,” he warned.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson commended the fire department for the excellent job its members do to educate schoolchildren and called on business leaders and others to come learn what the fire department offers as a way to further prevent fires.

CLICK PLAY!

 

EnTech Mobile Lab Brings Technology To VCS Students

/by

Vance County Schools and community leaders were on hand Wednesday, Sept. 4 to officially roll out the EnTech Mobile Lab, a lab on wheels that will give students hands-on experiences with various forms of technology.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Vance County High School to launch the lab, during which time Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett thanked partner Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, the Vance County Public School Foundation and the team at the Center for Innovation for making the mobile lab a reality.

Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney, VCS chief officer of Instruction and Innovation, along with Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott, HV Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson and Chamber Board Chair Margier White shared the impact this initiative will have on students in the district.

“The EnTech Mobile Lab exemplifies the district’s commitment to igniting interest in diverse career fields and ensuring that VCS students have access to innovative, experiential learning opportunities,” said Dr. Ross-Putney. “We are excited to see our students engage with these career-aligned stations, developing the skills and knowledge essential for the workforce of the future.”

The mobile classroom can offer cutting-edge learning opportunities to students throughout the district, providing students with hands-on exposure to STEM careers in real-world contexts.

The mobile lab travels to schools, delivering interactive experiences such as drone piloting, robotics, and virtual reality, all designed to foster critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation. Each station provides students with valuable resources on the skills, coursework and education required for future careers, ensuring equitable access to career-focused learning experiences for all students.

The EnTech Mobile Lab provides tailored learning experiences that align with classroom needs, ensuring that the curriculum is enriched through experiential, hands-on activities. Through strong collaboration between the CFI team, school administrators, and teachers, the mobile lab will continue to deliver transformative educational experiences across the district.

The EnTech lab was established at the Center for Innovation in fall 2023 and Director Kristin Jeffreys, alongside Learning Specialists Stephen Jones and Patricia Burroughs, develop programs to enrich student learning.

Among the lab’s features are the Lu Interactive Playground, equipped with a laser projector, motion-sensing cameras and a robust sound system to foster immersive educational environments. Additional highlights include a dedicated drone cage, eSports capabilities and advanced robotics.

Following the ribbon-cutting, guests got a chance to explore the mobile lab’s interactive stations and see demonstrations that included the zSpace lab, a drone zone, a robotic dog and an emergency simulation.

Chamber Recruiting Business Members To Join The “Cheer Line” At Aug. 20 VCS Convocation Kick-Off

/by

Educators from across Vance County Schools will gather at McGregor Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 20 for the district’s Convocation Kick-Off. The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all its members to come out to cheer on the district’s teachers as they get ready for the 2024-25 school year.

“Plan to come out, bring some associates/employees with you, line up at McGregor, hold up your company sign, bring your business mascot, and show some loud hometown spirit for our teachers as they arrive on buses from their individual schools,” said Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

Individuals from the community and from area businesses should arrive by 8 a.m., Wilkerson said, to line up in the “cheer” line. Teachers will arrive by bus between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. The event will begin at 9 a.m.

“The buses will drop off teachers and we would like to have a line of people to celebrate and cheer them on as they enter McGregor,” Wilkerson said. “For our educators to see a line of folks cheering them and celebrating their arrival would definitely be a lot of fun!”

If a business has a mascot, they could certainly dress up – We’re talking to YOU, Pete the Cat, Chick-fil-A cow, Sparky the Fire Dog, Mikey the Shark and any others who we always love to see, she said.

The Local Skinny! H-V Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament Oct. 8

/by

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce golf tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, promising an afternoon of fun and fellowship as teams make their way through the links at Henderson Country Club.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson said she’s looking for at least 24 four-member teams to take part, so business and industry leaders, that’s your cue to get those teams formed and registered!

And the Chamber is accepting sponsorships, too – there are many different levels to choose from and lots of opportunities to have your business name and logo displayed throughout the event.

“It’s a great way to market your business – it’s a great marketing tool,” Wilkerson said on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!

Margier White and State Farm are this year’s presenting sponsor, and Wilkerson invites others to join White by becoming a sponsor at a variety of other levels.

This marks the 26th golf tournament sponsored by the Chamber, which Wilkerson said alternates between HCC and Kerr Lake Country Club.

“It’s a fun day,” she said. Teams tee off in the afternoon, so there’s plenty of time to get in some work in the morning before reassembling the team on the golf course – all for a good cause.

The Chamber enjoys a membership of more than 300 members, and Wilkerson said she feels fortunate that new members come on board all year long. She and fellow Chamber staff offer a variety of classes and other types of engagement sessions to accommodate all members.

Call the Chamber at 252.438.8414 or email Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org to learn more about becoming a golf tournament sponsor or to register a team.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

The Local Skinny! Carolina Payroll Partners Business Spotlight

/by

Mel Manning and Carolina Payroll Partners, LLC received a recent shout-out from the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce as recipient of the Chamber Spotlight.

Manning works out of Morehead City now, but he said he and partner Seth Ward can successfully meet their clients’ needs, thanks to technology and online software.

For the past four years, the local Chamber has been a client of Carolina Payroll Partners. Manning, who used to live in Henderson, has kept his Chamber membership current. In fact, he spent eight years on the Chamber board and one more as chair, he said during a recent interview with WIZS.

“I’m always trying to let people know about what an opportunity it was to join the Chamber, to work with the Chamber,” Manning said. “It’s a great opportunity to get your name out and meet a lot of people.”

Manning and Ward are both accountants, and have clients spread out across Vance and Granville counties, all the way to the Triangle down to the Crystal Coast. Ward is located in Cary. Together, the two handle payroll processing services for 15 clients.

Manning said he and Ward can operate remotely to provide clients exactly what they need, but they have the ability to be on site with customers if they ever need it.

They offer a range of services, but position themselves as an alternative to the impersonal national online software companies. Clients can input payroll information themselves, or they can send the raw data to either Manning or Ward and they can do it for them.

“A lot of clients will email payroll,” he said, which they then enter into the software program, generate the results and submit it for processing on their clients’ behalf.

“We wanted to be very customer-oriented when we started this… (and) take as much off our clients’ plates as possible and make it as simple as possible,” Manning explained.

The vast majority of payments come in the form of direct deposit, which Carolina Payroll Partners offers as a free option for clients. “We might have an occasional paper check,” he said, to accommodate unique situations that may crop up. In such cases, the client can prepare the check and also receives a paystub to go along with it.

Manning’s continued connection with the local Chamber runs deeper than just a business partnership. He recognizes the benefits of having a Chamber of Commerce in any given community.

“The Chamber does a lot of great things in the community, through education and things that will better all the citizens of the area,” Manning said.

Visit https://www.ncpayrollpartners.com/ to learn more or contact Manning at 252.432.0768.

CLICK PLAY!

 

H-V Chamber: Next Women In Business Lunch And Learn June 27

/by

The next Women In Business Lunch and Learn session sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, June 27.

Carolyn Perry, director of the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College, will speak on the topic “Small Business Success in our Community.”

The lunch program will be held in the Farm Bureau Room at Perry Memorial Library. The $20 cost includes lunch.

Please register no later than June 20 to reserve your seat.

Contact Vanessa Jones at vanessa@hendersonvance.org or call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414.

H-V Chamber Student Leadership Vance Graduation 2024

/by

The 15 members of the 2023-24 Student Leadership Vance program finished up earlier this month with a graduation ceremony. And although that May 1 graduation marked the completion of the program, Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson said she believes it’s just the beginning for these high school students who have a deeper appreciation for their community and the things that Henderson and Vance County offer.

Wilkerson said she told the group at graduation that if they only took away one thing, she hoped that it would be that they speak positively about their community. “Positivity is the name of the game,” she said on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

Modeled after the Leadership Vance program, this program gave students a chance to visit area businesses, agencies and organizations that operate in the city and county, as well as observe government and civic engagement activities.

Vanessa Jones led the program, and Wilkerson called her the program’s “fearless leader” and a perfect fit. Retired from Vance-Granville Community College, “she’s been around students all her life” and undaunted by the prospect of working with teenagers.

Feedback from the participants – students from four different schools across the county – ranged from “I never knew that existed” to “never knew we had that here,” Wilkerson said.

“I challenged each of them to spread that knowledge” about their community, she added.

A 2022 pilot program worked with 8th graders, but Wilkerson said that age group proved to be a little young, so this year’s program was limited to 10th and 11th graders. “By the end of session one, the kids were already exchanging cell phone numbers, so that was a ‘win,’” she said.

One of the goals of the leadership program is to bring students from different schools together. Wilkerson said she’s already fielded calls from Kerr-Vance Academy to be included in next year’s program.

Jayden Watkins said, “I had the chance to go behind the scenes of Henderson, learn history about our city that I hadn’t learned before but most of all understand how each person in our city is important…Every position matters because every person’s job is important to make our community work in unity!”

For participant Kate Seifert, the program contributed to her growth in leadership skills, community awareness and empathy toward others.

“The Student Leadership Institute gave me the opportunity to connect with other students while learning about the inner workings and hidden aspects of Henderson and Vance County,” Seifert said. It was incredibly inspiring and eye-opening to see firsthand all of the people who work behind the scenes to help our town to grow and thrive.”

She said she especially enjoyed the health and community day, when the group toured the Boys and Girls Club, the SAM Child Advocacy Center, Maria Parham Health, Henderson YMCA, and Abria’s Chase Foundation. “Throughout this day, I gained a deeper understanding of services in Henderson that help us stay connected, healthy, and supported as a community.”

Watkins said the program has helped him “discover the greatness that lies within Henderson. Most teenagers like me when I was younger, don’t think Henderson is a place we want to live in after college,” he said.

But, he added, Henderson “needs my generation to bring the greatness to the forefront by evolving as leaders.”

Here is a list of students by school who completed the program:

Henderson Collegiate

Jenifer Aguilar

Kameron Bullock

Mya Fisher

Jayden Watkins

Faith Wimbush

Vance County High School

Alajiah Alston

Choice Puryear

Harold Timberlake

Vance Charter School

Noah Bean

Joshua Jones

Kate Seifert

Bridger Stewardson

Crossroads Christian

Anderson Boyd

Rebecca Fowler

Ava Wade

CLICK PLAY!