iParty donates more than $193,400 in merchandise to local charities
Thousands of people affiliated with hundreds of non-profit organizations recently benefited from the Dedham-based iParty’s charitable giving. During iParty’s annual ‘Charity Days’ event, more than $193,400 in merchandise was donated to local charities throughout New England and Florida. More than 350 different non-profit organizations participated in the opportunity.
“‘Charity Days’ allows us to give back to the local communities we serve and enables us to support a wide range of worthy and important causes,” said Dorice Dionne, senior vice-president of merchandising and marketing of iParty. “By providing non-profits with the opportunity to select free merchandise from our clearance section, we are giving them the chance to stock up on those much needed items for fundraisers and charity events. This is an occasion we look forward to every year and we encourage all area non-profits to take advantage of this annual event.”
Local charity divisions such as the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, the National MS Society, and the American Diabetes Association were each able to take as much merchandise as they wanted. Some charities were given almost $3,000 each in free merchandise.
This was the seventh year iParty offered Charity Days to local organizations. Charities can register for next year’s “Charity Days” at www.iparty.com.
The Pond of Norwood, a sports training facility with both an indoor ice rink and a boarded, multi-purpose synthetic turf field, has introduced a new recreational offering to the region: ice bumper cars.
For individuals seeking a one-of-a-kind “beat the heat” summer adventure, or a unique venue for birthday parties or corporate events, the latest addition to the six-year old sports training facility may well provide the solution.
Jim Piatelli, owner of The Pond, said that he recently purchased six ice bumper cars for use on their 5,000 square-foot indoor ice rink. These bumper cars take the sport of bumper cars to a new level; they can be used by children as young as age 6, but are also extremely popular with adults. The cars are operated with a futuristic-looking joystick control, and will spin a full 360 degrees. A low center of gravity eliminates any possibility of the bumper cars overturning.
The Pond of Norwood will offer different programs for use of the bumper cars, for individual use and for larger party packages.
“These will be very popular for birthday parties, field trips, school outings, and for a beat-the-heat summer outing,” said Piatelli, who noted that his facility prides itself on being different than many other training facilities.
For additional information on the ice bumper cars, or other programs, call 781-762-9055.
GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., a Norwood-based environmental and geotechnical consulting firms, has assisted Wellesley Rosewood Maynard Mills LP (WRMMLP), the owner of the Clock Tower Place Office Park with a small hydropower feasibility study.
This study was funded in part by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) Renewable Energy Trust. Based on the results of the feasibility study, MTC has provided additional funding that will allow WRMMLP to move ahead with a plan to rehabilitate the small hydropower project at their Maynard office facility.
“The Renewable Energy Trust is pleased to support this and other feasibility studies for companies interested in rehabilitating existing dams,” said Warren Leon, director of the trust. “Hydroelectric power is an important part of the Commonwealth’s clean energy supply, and these rehabilitations can be a great opportunity for businesses.”
“We are pleased to assist Massachusetts companies in looking to hydroelectric energy as part of their overall energy strategy,” said William R. Beloff, president and CEO of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. “In rehabilitating these existing dams companies are able to reduce the amount of power that they purchase from other sources and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Hydropower is an important part of our state’s future energy structure.”
