On Saturday, March 10, Macy's will host Charity Shopping Day at their new store at Southridge Mall from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. as a way to help local non-profit organizations raise funds.

Through the program, the Greendale Chamber of Commerce will sell tickets for $5.00 each and keep 100% of the proceeds.

With the ticket, shoppers will receive $10 off on one purchase of $25 or more on March 10 at the Southridge Macy's. They will also receive a shopping pass with a discount amount that will be applied to purchases made on March 10. The ticket stub may be used to enter a sweepstakes for a $500 Macy's shopping spree.

If you would like to purchase a ticket, please visit Broad Street Coffee, Layton State Bank, M&I Bank Southridge, Prescott Miller Jewelers, or the Greendale Park & Recreation office.

This is a great opportunity to help Macy's have a successful grand opening in our community and help the Greendale Chamber raise funds.

The Greendale Chamber's mission is to promote the interests of local businesses and participate in community projects that enhance the quality of life in the Village of Greendale.

Thank you for your support of the Chamber and for shopping local!

The Greendale Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Awards Banquet on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Tuckaway Country Club. Members of the Chamber will enjoy an evening of dining and networking. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Business Member of the Year, Charlie Herman Educator of the Year, and Spirit of Greendale.

Ferch’s Malt Shoppe & Grille has been named the Business Member of the Year for their commitment to the community and their willingness to enhance the quality of life for those who live and work in Greendale. Established in the historic Village of Greendale in 1987, Ferch’s was created based on Betty Ferchoff’s fond childhood memories of the soda fountain in the Des Jardins Drug Store in Greendale. Betty’s family, the Kuglitsch’s, were pioneers of the FDR-created village in 1938 and played an important role in Greendale’s history. Today, Betty along with her son and business partner, Jeff Ferchoff, carry on the family legacy of community involvement. They continually support the local schools, churches, sports teams, and other organizations that benefit the community, and were instrumental in the development of Daffodil Playground and the Greendale Ice Rink. Ferch’s is actively involved in the special events hosted in downtown Greendale throughout the year which highlight local businesses and help to promote a sense of community. Ferch’s is a member of the Greendale Chamber of Commerce, Greendale Village Business Association, Public Celebrations Committee, and the Greendale Historical Society.

The Charlie Herman Educator of the Year is Sandy Speare. Ms. Speare began her teaching career in the Greendale Schools in 1984 after graduating from UW-Milwaukee with a major in Exceptional Education. Her passion for developing adolescent readers drew her back to UW-Milwaukee to earn a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. In her role as Library Media Specialist at Greendale Middle School, Sandy strives to stay on the cutting edge of technology. She collaborates with staff and engages with students to determine how best to use technology in the classroom. Keenly aware of student interests when it comes to reading, Ms. Speare helps to stretch their horizons to include books they may not have previously considered. She was instrumental in bringing multiple literacy opportunities to students including the One Book/One School Program and the Battle of the Books competition which increased the volume and genre of books read by staff and students. Ms. Speare is the driving force behind the After School Study Club at Greendale Middle School offering students not only an environment to study and research, but access to technology that may not be available to them at home. As a result of her passion for reading, Sandy hosts book talks, literature circles and book clubs which help to inspire a love of reading and learning in those who participate.

Judy Fons is the recipient of the Spirit of Greendale award. Since moving to the community in 1961, Ms. Fons has continually and eagerly volunteered her time and taken on leadership roles within local organizations and the Greendale Schools. Passionate about Greendale and a champion for children, she has been involved with the Greendale Playschool, Jr. Women’s Club, Village Club, Parish Council, Friends of Music, Park and Recreation Department, Public Celebrations Committee, Twi-Nite Girls’ Softball League, and Step Up to Better Health Committee. She was elected to the Greendale School District Board of Education where she served as member and president. During her tenure, she was a fervent supporter of the renovation of Greendale High School. Ms. Fons took great pride in her involvement in the planning and rebuilding of Jaycee Park – working with the Village, School District and well over 100 volunteers to accomplish the rebuilding in nearly one day.

The Greendale Chamber of Commerce advertised in the Around Greendale publication that was mailed to all households in Greendale in late December encouraging them to "Shop Greendale First". The ad included a listing of all Greendale Chamber of Commerce members. Please click here for a pdf of the brochure.

The Greendale Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Village of Greendale, will conduct the Village’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on “Thanksgiving Friday”, November 25, 2011 in front of Village Hall, 6500 Northway. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will include the Greendale High School Choir leading the crowd in a community sing-along of carols starting at 6:30 p.m. Village President, John R. Hermes, will then lead the crowd in counting down to the lighting of the holiday lights throughout the Village Center at 6:50 p.m. Shortly thereafter, Santa Claus will arrive to provide treats to all the “good little boys and girls.”

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will welcome the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots program. During the holiday season, and year-round, attendees of the Tree Lighting are asked to remember the less fortunate children of the area and make voluntary monetary donations to support this worthy program. Due to space limitations, donors are asked to make monetary donations to support the Toys for Tots program instead of bringing toys. Marines will honor the event with their attendance and thank donors for their generosity.

Greendale residents and visitors are invited to attend the Tree Lighting Ceremony to kick off the holiday season. Residents and visitors are also reminded to Shop Greendale 1st and support local Chamber of Commerce and Greendale Village Business Association (GVBA) businesses. Many Village Center businesses will remain open until 8:00 p.m. for the special event.

Earlier this year, the Greendale Chamber of Commerce established a scholarship program with the intent of annually awarding a $500 scholarship to a Greendale resident who is a senior in high school and who will be pursuing a degree in business at a four-year college.

To help fund the scholarship, the Chamber held a fundraiser during the Village of Greendale’s annual Hay Days Fall Festival in historic downtown Greendale. Pumpkins were sold for $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Greendale Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the Greendale Park and Recreation Department, Broad Street Coffee, and the Village's Department of Public Works for their support.