ID Theft Workshop to Coincide with National Consumer Protection Week

Upcoming workshop Chamber members might be interested in...

The Richard G. Lugar Northeast Indiana Community Service Center will sponsor an Identity Theft Workshop on March 5 at Mitchell Books. The workshop will take place in the auditorium and run from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at 6360 W Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana.

This educational event will feature representatives and information from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The workshop coincides with National Consumer Protection week (NCPW), March 2-8, 2008.

“The right to privacy is a deep-rooted guarantee revered by the Founders and protected in the U.S. Constitution. Although technology has brought many benefits and advances, it also has complicated the protection of our privacy interests,” said Lugar. “I invite Hoosiers to learn how to prevent identify fraud and financial scams, how to fight them and how to restore personal credit information in a special workshop on March 5.”

Identity theft is a serious crime that occurs when personal information is stolen and used without permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Each year, millions of consumers are victims, and this workshop will educate attendees on how to decrease the chance of ID theft and offer solutions for victims of ID theft.

U.S. Postal Inspector Andrew Gottfried and Detective Jerry Mericle of the FWPD Financial Crimes Department will give presentations about ID theft from detection to enforcement. Lugar staff will share information from the FTC.

Registration for the workshop is not required but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please contact the Lugar Community Service Center at 260-422-1505. Registration the morning of the event opens at 9:30 a.m. at Mitchell Books in Covington Plaza, 6360 W Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana.

SBA Disaster Assistance

The Small Business Administration (SBA) asked us to pass this important message on to our members...


Good Afternoon,
Recently your county was added for Federal Disaster Assistance to an already declared disaster as a result of flooding that began January 7, 2008 and continuing.

Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply for a wide range of federal and state disaster assistance programs. Affected individuals and business owners may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA).

Those that are referred to the Small Business Administration for a low-interest disaster loan are urged to complete the application and return it as soon as possible. Even if you don’t want a loan, completing the loan application is an important step in the recovery assistance process. Homeowners and renters that do not qualify for a loan, may be considered for other forms of assistance.

The filing deadline is March 31, 2008 so we encourage everyone who had damages to register, complete and return their loan application so that we can get the process started in getting some assistance to those that have had damages.

Currently our loan approvals are over $2.8 Million

Matt Young, Public Information Specialist, SBA
(404) 909-0662

Fort Wayne Businesses Get National Press

Barb Richards, Program Director at MAJIC 95.1 FM WAJI, asked us to share this story from Radio & Records with all those that donated yesterday. Fort Wayne got some great national press!

And Finally, Again....
Yesterday, we told you about former American Idol contestant
Josiah Leming, who was living in his busted-down car in
Knoxville while supporting his mother, who suffers from cancer.

WAJI (Majic 95.1)/Ft. Wayne, IN heard of Josiah’s plight and
talked a local car dealership into donating a car to Josiah, who
then booked a flight to Ft. Wayne to pick up the car, hold a press
conference and perform a thank-you concert.

Sadly, Josiah’s mother slipped into a coma on Wednesday night, forcing him to cancel his trip. PD Barb Richards picks up the story: “We found out he wasn’t coming around noon, so we did the press conference with Josiah on the phone and announced that Dirk and Jeannette from Majic in the Morning would be driving the car down to him in Knoxville!” she tells ST Daily.

“In the meantime, Ft. Wayne businesses came out in full force, and the car is now full of new clothes, a GPS system, songwriting equipment, books, luggage and cash to buy gas!”

This morning, Dirk and Jeanette will broadcast live from the
Fox affiliate in Knoxville, where they will present the car and gifts
to Josiah on the air. Says Richards, “Josiah promises that he will
come up and do a big thank-you concert to repay the kindness
shown to him by the Fort Wayne community!”

Chamber Members Step Up to the Plate

WOW! A HUGE thank you to all Chamber members and local businesses that donated their hearts out today in support of American Idol contestant Josiah Leming. Radio duo Dirk and Jeannette on Majic 95. 1 FM called the Chamber this morning asking for your support and boy did they get it.

Chamber member Glenbrook Hyundai recently donated a car to the young contestant who had been living in his car to make his dreams come true. When his vehicle broke down Fort Wayne came to the rescue!

Josiah's mom is battling cancer and went into a coma shortly before he was supposed to board a plane for Fort Wayne. Josiah didn't actually make it to Fort Wayne today but will be here in the near future to thank the community and perform at Sweetwater Sound. Dirk and Jeannette from Majic are driving the car to Josiah in Tennessee as we speak. The car is FULL of wonderful items Chamber members donated!

This story has been given national media attention for Fort Wayne and its businesses showing what a wonderful, giving community we live in.

A BIG thank you to all those who donated today:

Tower Bank

Sam’s Club

DeBrands

Verizon
Vera Bradley

Do It Best
Cookie Cottage
Wal-Mart

Wizards
Komets

Grabill Cabinet Company

Jefferson Pointe
Barnes & Noble

Blondies Cookies

Bob Evans

The Nut House

Indiana Spirit
Aeropostale
O’Charleys

Chik-Fil-A
Brighton Collectibles

Seyfert's

Jam Impressions

Fairchild Communications

Starbucks

Convention & Visitors Bureau of Fort Wayne

City of Fort Wayne

Andrew Davis Menswear

Business People Magazine

We are going to continue to collect items for Josiah and his family, knowing that he will be coming to Fort Wayne soon. If you know of anyone who wants to make a donation, they can contact the Chamber by calling (260) 424-1435.

Umbrella Series Continues With "Conviction"

"Conviction" was another great performance this morning by Taylor University students as part of the Umbrella Series. This morning's seminar assisted employers in learning how to trust employees.

Several sessions remain that you don't want to miss out on! For more information contact Rita Chalfant at (260) 424-1435, ext. 263 or rchalfant@fwchamber.org.

Pictures from Yesterday's IDEA Contest

Here are some great pictures from the IDEA Contest which took place at the Downtown Allen County Public Library. Congratulations again to the wonderful high school students who participated.

Chamber Needs Your Help Today

Dirk & Jeanette from MAJIC 95.1 have asked the Chamber for help. They are bringing American Idol contestant Josiah Lemming to Fort Wayne today and Glenbrook Hyundai is presenting him with a car! They would like any Fort Wayne businesses to provide items to load up the car with. This event has national press so its a GREAT chance for Fort Wayne businesses to gain national media exposure!!

If you can help please call Nicole Wilkins at (260) 424-1435 ext. 262 or (260) 414-1160 cell. Items MUST be delivered to Glenbrook Dodge by 1 pm today!

Winners from IDEA Contest

Congratulations to all the students chosen to participate in the 2008 IDEA Contest. There were 19 big ideas presented at the Downtown Library this afternoon and we were impressed! All the students were talented. Here are the top 3 ideas chosen to win prizes from the Chamber Foundation. First place received $500 and a Web site (possibly to market their idea or future ideas!), Second place received $250 and Third $100.

1st Place: Hannah Cash, Carroll High School (Automotive Transition Window)
2nd Place: Caleb Cumberland, Carroll High School (The Heat Preserver)
3rd Place: Mali Kobelja, Snider High School (Brush & Floss System)

People's Choice Winners:

Ethan Huff, Anthis Career Center (Quick Change Sander)
Andrew Jacquay, Leo High School (Smart Cart)
Elsi Bernabe, Concordia Lutheran High School (Controlled Answering Machine)
Edward Paige, Anthis Career Center (Emergency Vehicle Warning)

Stay tuned for pictures of the event!

Join Us at the IDEA Contest TODAY!

Just a reminder that the 2008 Idea Contest participants will be displaying their ideas today from 4 - 6 p.m. Please make a point to stop by the Downtown Allen County Public Library, (900 Library Plaza) to see the entries and vote for your favorite idea. There will be 19 young people ready and waiting to share their "Big Idea" with you.

Mayor Henry will announce the winners at 5:30 p.m. Students will be rewarded with prizes sponsored by the Chamber Foundation. Your top three favorite ideas will be chosen to receive the People’s Choice Award.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Chamber Day Broadcast on NIPR Tomorrow

Our Chamber Day Broadcast on National Indiana Public Radio (WBOI 89.1 FM) is scheduled to run this Thursday, Feb. 28th at 7 a.m. Listen in for insightful interviews and a look into the Chamber's activities at the Statehouse.

Mayor's State of the City Takes Place Tomorrow

Don't forget - Mayor Henry's first "State of the City" address takes place tomorrow at noon at the Grand Wayne Center. Chairman of the Chamber board and President/CEO of Tower Bank, Don Schenkel, will introduce the mayor.

The event is free and open to the public. The speech will also be televised live on WANE-TV and Indiana’s NewsCenter.

The City is partnering with the Chamber and The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance to host the address.

Request From Senator Lugar

Senator Lugar recently sent us a letter asking for our help in spreading the word to our members and other community organizations about the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Children at the Indiana Department of Education.

The SFSP bridges the summertime gap and provides meals to children after the school year has ended. According to program specialist, Bruce Brown, some two million meals were given to children in Allen County last summer (and that's reaching only 4% of eligible kids). Chamber members such as the Community Harvest Food Bank also benefit from SFSP.

If your organization or business in interested in getting involved in this important program please contact Bruce Brown at (317) 232-0857 or bbrown@doe.in.gov

Area Companies Among State Chamber's Best Places to Work

Sixty-six Indiana companies, including four in Northeast Indiana, were recognized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for their positive work environments.

In the large companies category, Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp. made the list. Ash Brokerage Corp. in Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne-based Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. made the small and medium-sized companies list.

The program, in its third year, honors the best places to work in the state as judged by the state Chamber. Rankings are determined by employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys, the Chamber said in a statement. Winners were selected from among two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees; and large companies of 250 or more employees. Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees were in Indiana.

The actual rankings will be announced at the Best Places to Work in Indiana awards dinner May 7 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

Chamber Membership Directories

The 2008 Chamber Membership Directories have been mailed out to all Chamber members. Additional copies are available at the front desk of the Chamber during business hours, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Non-members may also purchase the directory for $25.


For more information, contact the Chamber front desk at (260) 424-1435.

Mixing Things Up!

Last week's Morning Mix, hosted by Crazy Pinz, was another great Chamber networking event! We just got the photos and had to share some of the highlights. Over 60 attendees made the morning event of speed networking a success!

The next Morning Mix will be hosted by Easter Seals ARC on March 20. March is Disability Awareness Month and Easter Seals has many special activities planned to help educate the community. Call Christy at (260) 424-1435 ext. 266 to attend.

Thinking of Starting an Internship Program? Don't Miss This...

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