GISBA, Chamber host KidBiz on June 30; training June 12

Grand Island Dispatch, June 8, 2007

The 11th annual KidBiz Sidewalk Sale will be held Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sponsors are: Platinum, Fuccillo Auto Park; Gold, Niagara Frontier Publications and River Oaks Golf Club; Silver, Grand Island Holiday Inn Resort and Conference Center and Keller Insurance Group; Bronze, Legend Group and M&T Bank, Grand Island Branch.

The KidBiz training session on Tuesday, June 12, will be held at the Grand Island Middle School Little Theatre, 1100 Ransom Road, from 7 to 8 p.m. Young entrepreneurs will learn various aspects of running a business. Topics such as pricing, marketing and customer service are covered at the training event.

KidBiz, developed by the Small Business Development Center at Buffalo State College and Forever Elmwood, was launched in 1996. It was designed to give children in the third through sixth grade the experience and excitement of running their own business. This year’s event will include seventh through 12th grade students as well.

KidBiz made its debut on Grand Island in 1997 as part of the “Plaza Happening.” Mike Heftka and Sue Hillock coordinated the event with more than 30 children selling their products along the sidewalks under the canopy of the Grand Island Plaza. Articles sold included old books, toys, crafts, baked goods and a whole lot more. The young business owners particularly got a sense of running a business, as they had to pay a 50 cent rental space fee and received a “license” to sell at the site after the rent was paid.

KidBiz is an excellent opportunity for children to engage in a real-life business experience. For more information, contact the Chamber office at 773-3651.

Chamber announces Island Happenings sponsors

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced that Fuccillo Auto Park and Niagara Frontier Publications will be this year’s major sponsors of Island Happenings.

Additional sponsors are: Bleich Inc. (Miracle Ear), Carol Ann’s Hair Fashions, Creative Leather Concepts, First Niagara Bank, First Investors Corporation, TCA Consultants Inc. (Technology Camp of America), Sam’s Club, Grand Island Women of the Moose Lodge 180, and North Point Embroidery.

Island Happenings takes place on Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Town Commons.

The event is a great way for businesses to showcase their product, organizations and service groups to raise funds or solicit membership, with food vendors and artisans to sell their arts and crafts. Participating in this year’s event are: Grand Island Moose Lodge WOTM, Carol Ann’s Hair Fashions, Niagara Frontier Publications, Mary Kay Cosmetics (Dawn Bonora), Grand Island Youth Ambassadors Hot Dog Sale, Bleich Inc. (Miracle Ear), Fuccillo Auto Park, K.R. Communications, Wood Signs and Jewelry, Arbonne International, Diaper cakes, wreaths and gift baskets and Tupperware. Also, Cowabunga Kettlecorn, Person to Person BBQ ribs and chicken, Arbonne International (personal care, nutrition), Home and Garden Party, Avon, Creative Leather Concepts (www.CLCLeather.com) Grinders Skatepark, First Niagara Bank Pure Soaps’n Stuff, Fun Flops, Soma Cura Massage Therapy, Sam’s Club, Technology Camp of America (TCA Inc.) Cookie Lee Jewelry and many more.

To reserve your sponsorship or booth today, call the Chamber office at 773-3651. Chamber officials say spaces are going fast. The deadline is June 15.