This is our Mary Kay unit's seventh year of the Wounded Warrior's gift drive at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). Every year we visit the Warriors we feel we have been blessed to spend time with those who have served our country and sacrificed to keep us free. We are privileged to spend an entire afternoon visiting with the Warriors and their families. Many have been there more than a year and they remember us when we return. This year we will also visit a local Veteran's Home to deliver gifts.

I am writing to ask that you make a donation of holiday gift sets to brighten a serviceperson's life, their families, help ease the pain of being alone, missing their families and for many dealing with life altering injuries. The average stay at NNMC for a Warrior and care giver is 2.5 years often with minimal visitors. Our Mary Kay unit is working with NNMC to not only provide gifts for the troops but also to provide gifts for the troops to give their own families and caregivers. Your generous donation will help bring a smile of thanksgiving to the face of those who have served our Country. In addition we will be visiting a local Veteran's Home with gifts and joy!

Our Mary Kay Unit will personally visit the troops to deliver the gifts, share the holiday joy and lift their spirits throughout the month of December!  The men will receive Shaving Sets and the women will receive Spa Sets.You are welcome to include a personal note which we will use as a gift tag for each gift you purchase. This is a wonderful way to show your support for our troops while sharing the holiday spirit. 

There is no feeling in the world like giving a gift to someone who was sure they were forgotten or who will be spending the holidays without their family. We cannot help but believe you too will be blessed by participating in this endeavor.

If you are interested in donating, please contact Cindy Bliss: cindyblissmk@comcast.net

Could $100,000 help jumpstart your startup? Well, Maryland's national business competition is back for the third year! 

Since 2013, InvestMaryland Challenge has awarded nearly $1.5M in prizes to innovative startup companies. Prizes have included cash grants, incubator space, marketing and legal services, and opportunities to pitch investors. 

Start an application today and your business could be on its way to accepting the $100,000 Grand Prize! http://www.investmarylandchallenge.org/

Great News!  We passed out over 90 bags so far to our partner Real Estate folks for delivery.  We are continuing to add new businesses and real estate agency/agents. 

I would appreciate any help in contacting other business owners that would like to participate AND please stress that I do not charge for the service. 

Life all good marketing efforts, this will take a little time to show some results.  With that said, please share any and all success stories.  It would help everyone if we could see what types of advertising (coupons, flyers, postcards, coffee mugs, etc...) are working.

Best Regards,

Rodney Githens

Rodney Githens

Githens and Associates Insurance Agency

2976 Penwick Lane, Suite 304

Dunkirk, MD 20754

301-327-5284

BBG Member Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, located on Broomes Island Road in Port Republic, will host a Fall Butterfly Release celebrating the memory of loved ones Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 2 p.m.  

"We are proud to both sponsor and host this event on our newly enhanced grounds and facilities and to dedicate all the proceeds to Calvert Hospice's patient care and bereavement programs," said Marcianna Kreamer, General Manager Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens who goes on to say. "This event embraces and honors the connections we make in life that don't end with the death of a loved one."

The program is open to the public and is free of charge to attend.  Individuals and families have the option to sponsor a butterfly in the name of a loved one. Included with the donation is a personalized acknowledgement card sent to a designated recipient. To honor the name of a loved one, please visit www.calverthospice.org or call 410-535-0892 and request a Butterfly Release Registration Form no later than September 19, 2014.

The event will include live music, light refreshments, and the reading of each name being honored. The ceremony concludes with the individual release of Monarch butterflies.

For more information about Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, please contact: Marcianna Kreamer at (410) 257-0544.