Memorial Day: How Small Businesses Can Honor Our Military

The unofficial start to summer and a day full of BBQ’s and get-togethers, many forget the true meaning of Memorial Day. It’s a day meant to commemorate the lives of U.S. soldiers who have died in military service. Traditionally, Veteran’s Day is the time to honor war veterans, but Memorial Day offers another occasion to show respect for those involved in military service. If you own or work for a small business there are quite a few ways you can honor our fallen service members on Memorial Day. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

  • Offer special discounts or free items to military members or veterans. Promote a special offer like a 20 percent discount on all purchases.
  • Send out a Memorial Day card with a special offer included. Customers can bring the postcard to your store to receive a special discount or a free promotional gift on or around Memorial Day.
  • Sponsor a float in your local Memorial Day parade. Many towns and cities host annual Memorial Day parades to honor service members, and they seek local businesses as sponsors for their floats to support the cost of the ceremony. Check in with your local community leaders to find out what’s going on in your area, and how your small business can get involved.
  • There are many resources for our military, and they’re always in need of funding. Pick an organization, and collect donations at your place of business.

Fire Tragedy Christmas Wish

When we think of the Holidays and Christmas, we often think of happy times spent with family and loved ones. We think of wonderful presents and enjoying delicious homemade food. There are so many things to be grateful for during the holiday season. Unfortunately, not everyone’s Holiday season is as bright as it should be.

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Sa’fyre Terry’s world was turned upside down on May 2nd 2013 when she lost her family in a terrible fire which left her severely burned. Her father who was killed in the fire, was told to be protecting her from the flames on that fateful day.

Sa’fyre was 5 years old at the time of the fire. Now 8 years old, she has undergone over 50 surgeries and still has a long road of recovery ahead. Although she’s suffered so much at such a young age, Sa’fyre is still said to wake up every morning with a smile on her face. She has been strong during this tough time. Sa’fyre is an inspirational symbol of strength we can all admire. This year, her sole Christmas wish is to receive cards from all around the world. Out of all of the things in the world, this is her only wish.

The Gallery Collection is proud to announce that it will be sending Christmas cards to Sa’fyre this year and helping in granting her this wish. Employees are currently signing cards and are very happy to be a part of granting Sa’fyre’s wish.

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ― Kahlil Gibran

If you want to send your own Christmas cards to Sa’fyre, address your cards to:

Sa’fyre Terry

P.O. Box 6126

Schenectady, NY 12306

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Have a very safe & happy Holiday Season.

Warrior Canine Connection – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

The Gallery Collection is thrilled to have the opportunity to make a donation to Warrior Canine Connection. We created and donated 500 Thank You cards to be used to give thanks to Veterans for everything they have done for our country. Using images supplied to us by Warrior Canine Connection, we’ve created a card that speaks to both the work that the organization does, and the grateful thanks they wish to share with Veterans.

Warrior_Canine_Connection

Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes clinically based Canine Connection Therapy to help wounded Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other. By interacting with the dogs as they move from puppyhood to training to adult service dogs, Warrior Trainers benefit from a physiological and psychological animal-human connection. As a result of their efforts, Veterans with disabilities receive the finest in trained service dogs.

If you’d like more information on Warrior Canine Connection, or if you’d like to make a donation, please visit their website: http://warriorcanineconnection.org/

Bergen County Historical Society Bergen 350 Gala – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

Bergen County Historical Society is holding the Bergen 350 Gala on October 15, 2014 to celebrate New Jersey’s 350th Anniversary. The Gallery Collection is proud to participate by offering 6 assortment boxes of our beautiful greeting cards for use in auction at the event. These assortment boxes include holiday cards, birthday cards, and all occasion cards.

Holiday_Assortment_Box

The Bergen 350 Gala will be a once in a lifetime celebration – an event to observe New Jersey’s 350th Anniversary and mark Bergen County’s place in it. Equally important, the Gala will raise funds for the long-awaited and much-needed Bergen County Museum that will house Bergen’s historic artifacts.

For more information about the Bergen 350 Gala, please visit their website at http://bergen350.com/.

Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

The Gallery Collection, as part of our charitable donations program, recently donated 500 birthday cards to the Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter. The PVA sends these birthday cards to the Veterans that they serve throughout the year.

Sophisticated Presents Birthday Card

The Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter and the membership is comprised of those who have sustained a spinal cord injury/dysfunction or disease and those people who support the quest of the membership for cures to their infirmities or seek to help create an atmosphere whereby the injured and suffering can assume a place in society that can be mutually beneficial.

For more information about the Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter, and how you can help, please visit their website at http://www.centralfloridapva.org/

Cedar Hill Elementary School – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

The Gallery Collection, as part of our charitable donations program, donated 6 assortment boxes of greeting cards to Cedar Hill Elementary School in Towaco, NJ for use in auction at their annual Tricky Tray fundraiser. The assortment boxes included Birthday Cards and All Occasion Cards.

All Occasion Assortment Box

The school’s mission statement indicates that every stakeholder in their learning community unites in an effort to engage children in the joy of learning. Cedar Hill is a “Positive Action School”, and to that end, they encourage students to accept responsibility and to contribute their gifts and talents to realize their potential as citizens of a global society. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of activities that reinforce the theme of respect for themselves, each other, and the school community.

If you are interested in learning more about Cedar Hill Elementary School, please visit their website at http://www.montville.net/Domain/36.

Roosevelt Elementary School – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

The Gallery Collection, as part of our charitable donations program, recently donated 6 assortment boxes of greeting cards to Roosevelt Elementary School in Ridgefield Park, NJ for use in auction at their annual Tricky Tray fundraiser. The assortment boxes included Birthday Cards and All Occasion Cards.

birthday cards assortment boxes

The mission of Roosevelt Elementary School is to provide a thorough and efficient education for all students, with opportunities for achievement that encourages skill development, self confidence and the appreciation of cultural diversity, by using a variety of approaches motivating students to gain new knowledge through critical thinking, exploration and discovery in a safe environment.

If you are interested in learning more about Roosevelt Elementary School, please visit their website at http://www.edline.net/pages/7824164183961700866.

Saint Margaret of Cortona – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

As part of The Gallery Collection’s charitable donation program, we made a donation of several assortment boxes of Holiday cards, Birthday cards, All Occasion cards, and Fine Art note cards to Saint Margaret of Cortona in Little Ferry, NJ. These assortment boxes will be used for raffles and giveaways for the parish Tricky Tray fundraiser in November.

Holiday_Assortment

Saint Margaret of Cortona has been serving the Catholic community of Little Ferry and Moonachie for 100 years in ministry, education and service.

For more information about Saint Margaret of Cortona, please visit their website at http://www.olmvmiddlesex.parishesonline.com/scripts/HostedSites/org.asp?p=5&ID=5939.

Muscular Dystrophy Association Greater Atlanta – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

The Gallery Collection, as part of our charitable donations program, recently donated 2 Get Well Assortment Boxes and 2 Sympathy Assortment Boxes to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Greater Atlanta.

Get_Well_Assortment

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. MDA funds worldwide research; provides comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and rallies communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement.

For more information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and how you can help, please visit their website at http://mda.org/.

Memorial Middle School – Gallery Collection Charitable Donations

As part of The Gallery Collection’s charitable donation program, we recently made a donation of various assortment boxes of greeting cards to Memorial Middle School in Little Ferry, NJ. These assortment boxes were to be used as part of a Tricky Tray fundraiser for the school.

All Occasion Assortment Box

Memorial Middle School serves students in grades K-8. They are committed to academic excellence for all students. If you are interested in learning more about Memorial Middle School, please visit their website at http://www.littleferry.k12.nj.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=9.