Multiple Chamber Members Collaborate for Fundraising Event

In late November, Chamber Members collaborated to fundraise for visually impaired individuals in Staten Island. The event, which wedded multiple Chamber Members, a member location, member goods and services, and even the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), is a testament to the strength and partnership that comes with being a member of the Chamber.

VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a nonprofit dedicated to developing and implementing individualized programs to assist people who are blind and visually impaired, partnered with Raymour and Flanigan - who hosted the event - and Starbucks Staten Island.

Other Chamber Members - including Staten Island Giving Circle, Richmond University Medical Center, and Williams Eye Works also co-sponsored the event.

Talent from the Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) was tapped to assist with the event. Gianna Schlagel, a 2024 Young Entrepreneur Academy graduate, handled event flow, seating charts, the check-in process, and coordinated with and oversaw the Volunteer Team. The Team consisted of students from the College of Staten Island’s Macaulay Honors College.

“We had an incredible event for VISIONS, made even better by collaborating with several community-minded Chamber member organizations,” said Gina Schlagel, Staten Island Borough Coordinator, Community Outreach at VISIONS. “One of Raymour & Flanigan’s managers, who I met years ago at a Chamber event, reached out to me through LinkedIn and offered their showroom space as a venue for the fundraising event and donated $250 towards food. They also made a $500 check presentation.”

“Raymour & Flanigan is dedicated to being an active member of each showroom’s local community. My hope is to make sure that those events are impactful and meaningful to the organizations we have the opportunity to partner with,” said Christopher Vendemio, Staten Island Store Manager at Raymour & Flanigan. “Gina, and the rest of the team at VISIONS, are incredibly dedicated to the work they do and the people they serve. It was not only a fun night, but one that will hopefully help VISIONS continue their excellent work and grow their reach to even more people who can benefit from their services.  On behalf of Raymour & Flanigan, I want to thank Gina and VISIONS for choosing us to host their event and we look forward to even more partnership in the future.”

Starbucks Staten Island arranged a “Starbucks Pop-Up” at the event. Staffed by Staten Island baristas, they served coffee, tea, and flavored drinks along with pastries, scones, and muffins, much to the delight of attendees.

“Starbucks here on Staten Island is fortunate to have a unique dynamic of a team filled with partners who live on Staten Island and grew up in our communities,” said Jason Lerner, District Manager, NY Metro at Starbucks.“Joining the Chamber, for us, presented an opportunity to serve a purpose beyond just selling coffee. Partnering with local businesses and community members, like VISIONS & the Raymour & Flanigan team, together, to serve our community and make Staten Island the best place to live, one small event or act of kindness at a time.”

“This collaboration is something that is only made possible by the Chamber of Commerce,” said Dom Provenzano, Marketing, Communications, and Member Relations Manager at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “We commend everyone involved on a successful event and for their continued partnership.”