Book popular fundraiser for service organizations
Western Valley Faces of Business is a local Rotary-created business guide launching on Sept. 15. It is a Western Valley business directory, in both hard copy and online. It is a Rotary Club initiative coordinated by the Florenceville, Perth-Andover, and Woodstock chapters.
There are 209 businesses in the inaugural printing. The hard copy is 64 pages and in magazine format.
Carol Brennan, a project coordinator and a member of the Florenceville Rotary Club, says clubs found inspiration in similar projects by the Rotary Clubs in Kentville and Truro, N.S., and Charlottetown, P.E.I.
“It was sitting on the kitchen table, and I thought it was handy,” said Brennan. “It was nice to see the pictures of the owners and the employees from the businesses in the area. I thought this would be perfect for the businesses and the area residents.”
In January 2022, committees from the three local Rotary branches got together, and ad sales began. Rotary members contacted businesses from Nackawic and Perth-Andover.
Photographers captured the faces behind the business names.
Woodstock’s Kelly Atherton of GraphXpert completed the design work.
The book is organized into categories. For example, if someone needs a plumber, they would go to that section. There, readers can find the logo, links and contact information for all related area companies, personalized with the faces of the members of that business’s staff and ownership.
“It a nice personal touch to see everyone who works for the company you call,” said Brennan.
The focus of Rotary Clubs is both local and international. Locally, they have offered support to local literacy programs, Sanctuary House, Valley Food Bank, recreation facilities, the dialysis unit at the Upper River Valley Hospital, and community parks.
Rotary International has been heavily involved in eradicating polio globally.
The four key pillars of Rotary International are Health, Elderly, Youth and Environment.
This endeavour, explained Brennan, is a win-win-win for the community. It will benefit residents, businesses, and the Rotary.
“If this is a benefit to area businesses like it has been in other towns, then it will become an annual fundraiser.”
Brennan said seniors had expressed frustration with today’s phone books. Not everyone chooses to list their services; print is often small and poorly organized. The hard copy directory and online format should better meet everyone’s needs.
“It was nice for all local Rotary clubs to collaborate on a project together,” said Brennan. “It will be a great fit for tourists and newcomers. All business and available service will be organized into one book.”
The Rotary Club committed to this being an entirely locally sourced project. All of the funds raised and spent will remain in the Western Valley. Western Valley Faces of Business is being distributed in the September issue of the River Valley Sun.
