Support Small Business Saturday on November 29

Ready to do some holiday shopping after Thanksgiving?

When making your holiday shopping list this week, be sure to think small - as in Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses throughout the United States. The day was founded by American Express in 2010 and is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year's Small Business Saturday will be celebrated on Saturday, November 29.

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce encourages shoppers to think small when making this year's holiday purchases. Consumers play a key role in helping small businesses become successful. By shopping or dining at a small business, you show support for small businesses while reinvesting in the community we call home.

This area is home to hundreds of small businesses that offer unique items that can't often be found in larger retail stores. To learn about some of the small businesses found in this area, visit the Chamber's web site at www.westmonroechamber.org.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, check out this video:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcyCepfNp7o&list=PLD078640144E100C8

#shopsmall

Ouachita Green to host America Recycles Day event November 15

Ouachita Green will celebrate America Recycles Day on Saturday, November 15 with a free recycling event for the entire community.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center plaza.

This is a great opportunity for area residents to recycle items from their households. Items that will be accepted include tires, office paper, magazines, card board, white goods and scrap metal, automobile batteries and electronic waste (such as computers, monitors, assorted computer accessories, printers, scanners, VCRs, DVD players, TVs, cell phones or anything with a cord).

Goodwill Industries will be on site this Saturday to accept such household items as clothes, shoes, jewelry, working electronics, games, furniture, home decor, working appliances, etc.

The collection is for households only - large quantities from businesses or commercial operations will not be accepted.

PROHIBITED Materials include the following items: Glass, household chemicals, pesticides, paints, stains, motor oil, infectious/medical waste, radioactive materials, compressed gas cylinders, ammunition, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and explosives.

For more information about Ouachita Green, visit www.ouachitagreen.org.

For more information about America Recycles Day, visit www.americarecyclesday.org.

Chamber seeking nominations for two annual awards

Each year, the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce presents two annual awards that recognize an outstanding individual and business in the community.

 

These awards are the A.O. Evans Award and the Entrepreneurial Success Award, which will be presented at the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Banquet to be held on Monday, December 8 at the West Monroe Convention Center. Guest speaker for this year's Annual Banquet is Carrie Kurlander, Vice President of Public Relations at Chick-fil-A.

 

The A.O. Evans Award and Entrepreneurial Success Award are the two highest honors presented by the Chamber of Commerce. Nominations are now being sought for both awards. 

 

The A.O. Evans Award recognizes one individual in the area each year for outstanding contributions to the West Monroe and West Ouachita area. The person cannot be an elected official who currently holds office nor can they be on the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber Board of Directors.  This person must have made several contributions to the betterment of the community.

The A.O. Evans Award was first presented in 1976 to Mr. A.T. Mitchell.  When considering a name for the new award, the Chamber Board decided to name it in honor of the founder of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce – A.O. Evans.

The Entrepreneurial Success Award honors a current WMWO Chamber business member or individual member that exemplifies the true entrepreneurial spirit in three areas – employees, management style and entrepreneurial spirit. This year marks the third time the award has been given. The first two receipients were Johnny's Pizza House and Linda Lavender School of Dance, respectively.

Nominations are due by Monday, November 17. We strongly encourage the business community to take time to nominate an individual or business that has shown leadership and dedication to this area. Please call the WMWO Chamber Office at (318) 325-1961 for a nomination form or to get more information on either award.