Member News & Events

Recovery Act Funded Rebate Program, Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate

Begins April 28 11:00 am

Virginia’s Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program will offer Virginians up to $300 on certain ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.  The eligible appliances were selected to best accomplish the rebate program’s goals of increasing residential energy conservation through more efficient appliances and stimulating the Commonwealth’s economy and job growth through additional retail sales of ENERGY STAR products.

• Heat Pump - $300
• Gas Furnace - $250
• Tankless Gas Water Heater - $225
• Clothes Washer - $75
• Refrigerator - $60
• Storage Gas Water Heater - $35

For more information, visit http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/arra.shtml

"Green Halo" Emerging Over RMA

Let’s keep papers, cans and bottles out of the landfills!

The Retail Merchants Association is “greener” because we are now shredding our used office papers, copies, documents, mail, etc. (and recycling our cans & plastic bottles too.)  We have a supply of several large bags of shredded paper and hope members and/or their employees can use them.  Some popular uses are:

• Packing and shipping merchandise to customers.
• Bedding for pets in pet stores and homes.
• Composting in gardens.
• Packaging holiday and birthday gifts for friends and relatives.
• Kindling for fireplaces and backyard bonfire – you’ll need a lot because this works great!

To order, at no cost, shredded paper by the big-bag-full, contact Preston Perrin at RMA, 804-662-5504 or pperrin@retailmerchants.com.

ElderHomes Corp. Chosen for Free PR Help

The Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) public service committee has selected ElderHomes Corporation, a local nonprofit organization, to receive pro bono assistance during 2010. ElderHomes improves the quality of housing and living conditions of low-income, older adults and persons with disabilities of all ages in the Greater Richmond and Tri-Cities areas by providing home repairs and accessibility improvements. The committee plans to assist ElderHomes with creating a plan to help build awareness of their organization, leading up to their “Rockin’ with The Renew Crew” event on October 30, 2010. In addition, the committee will assist with ElderHome’s long-term public relations efforts.

“We are elated to be chosen for public relations assistance, and we know that we will benefit greatly from the expertise offered by PRSA members,” said ElderHomes CEO Lee Householder. “Our Renew Crew volunteer program is one of three of our programs that helps to provide safe, accessible and affordable housing that enables residents to live independently in their own homes for as long as they want. We are very grateful to be selected for this opportunity to expand awareness of our services and tell our client stories.”

For more information about ElderHomes Corp. and The Renew Crew, visit www.elderhomes.org or www.therenewcrew.org.  For more information about the PRSA Richmond public service committee, contact Chairperson Ryan Smartt by calling (804) 827-2002 or by e-mail at rsmartt@connectnetwork.org.  

APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH!

The Retail Merchants Association has partnered with the Donate Life Partnership—which comprises United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS based in Richmond, VA), Donate Life America, LifeNet Health, Old Dominion Eye Foundation, Minority Organ Tissue Transplantation Education Program (MOTTEP), and the National Kidney Foundation to increase awareness and encourage Organ Donation.

RMA member businesses can offer information to your employees, customers and families.  You’ll find more information including downloadable collateral at http://www.retailmerchants.com/retailers-4life.asp.  You may also contact Preston Perrin, pperrin@retailmerchants.com ,804-662-5504, and he’ll be happy to answer questions or suggest ways you can get involved.  Printed sign-up donor forms are available at the Retail Merchants Association’s offices for your pick up.  There is no cost for your business to participate in this worthwhile campaign and you may offer this information in your business all year long.

Strategic Alliances and Sustainability Conference

April 23, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and The Tayloe Murphy Center at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, are pleased to present "The 2010 Business Conference: Strategic Alliances and Sustainability in Today's Economy."  Keynote address is by Dr. Leonard Greenhalgh, Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College. Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Van Wood, Professor of Marketing at the VCU School of Business.  Richmond Marriott, 500 E.  Broad St, Richmond.  For tickets ($50 / students $30) visit http://www.vahcc.com/?page=BusinessConference

USAT National Duathlon Festival

April 24–25

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones (of Travel Channel Show “Dhani Tackles the Globe”) will be in attendance. Road closures can be expected.  For schedule & specifics, visit the website. http://www.duathlonnationals.com/

Race for the Cure

May 8, Brown’s Island

The Richmond Race for the Cure was started in 1998 by Jennifer Norvell Saunders, in memory of her mother, Joanne. Joanne lost her battle with breast cancer after a second reoccurrence of her disease. To honor her mother's life, Jennifer, her family, and friends planned the first Richmond Race for the Cure® with the hope that fifty people would join them. To Jennifer's surprise over 1,200 gathered at the starting line that Mother's Day weekend. The Komen Richmond Affiliate was established in 1999 to support Komen's vision of a world without breast cancer and promote the promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures. The Komen Richmond Affiliate's Board of Directors works to fulfill the vision and promise in 74 cities and counties in Central Virginia. www.komenrichmond.org

Final Music Line-up for Dominion Riverrock

May 14–15

Join in for a unique mix of sports, music and fun, set against the backdrop of Richmond’s downtown riverfront. Headline is Grace Potter & the Nocturnals on Friday, May 14 and Robert Randolph & the Family Band on Saturday, May 15. More information can be found on www.dominionriverrock.com.

Crime Stoppers Annual Golf Tournament

May 17

The Crime Stoppers Annual Golf Tournament, presented by Pearson Honda, will be held at the beautiful Willow Oaks Country Club on Monday, May 17.  REGISTER NOW for your foursome or come alone.  Great food will be sponsored by Glory Days and Outback on West Broad Street.  Have fun and network while golfing on the shores of the James River.

The Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers is a non- profit organization that relies on donations to continue providing it’s anonymous tip-reporting program.  No county or city tax dollars are used to fund the program.  Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations, and businesses, Crime Stoppers works! Crime Does Not Pay in Metro Richmond.

http://crimestoppersrichmondvirginia.com/pdfs/golfTourney.pdf

SMARTMOVE Announces New Work-Life Benefit to RMA members

Members and their extended family members can now receive cash rebates whenever you buy and/or sell real estate through SMARTMOVE.  In addition to generous rebates ranging from $100 to over $30,000, you can also receive closing costs assistance, outstanding service from accredited real estate agents, discounts from moving companies and more. Find all the info in RMA’s Member-to-Member offers http://retailmerchants.com/member-to-member.asp  or call 804.272.3056 or visit SMARTMOVE at www.smartmove.com.

Advertise in E-blasts and/or Retail Partners Newsletters

Retail Partners newsletters have ads starting at $65 – Don’t miss 3rd quarter Retail Expo Preview – show special exhibitor listings and exhibitor ad discounts!   Starting at just $45, select the weeks or months you want to appear in these weekly e-mail blasts!  For more information, contact Pat Vitsky, patricia@retailmerchants.com or 804-837-5221.  Discounts & preference to RMA members.