​Children's Aid Society Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren celebrated the grand reopening of the newly renovated God's Closet with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, January 20. Children's Aid Society's Executive Director/CEO Eric Chase was joined by his team, donors, Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually and representatives from the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County and the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
The ribbon cutting celebrated the recent renovations to God's Closet, a free children's clothing "store" for families in need in the local community. God's Closet is located at The Nicarry Center in New Oxford. The program grew out of a partnership between the Adams County Foster Parent Association and Children's Aid Society. God's Closet provides a space where children and families can come to select gently used and new clothing free of charge. With the recent renovations, the space that houses God's Closet has transformed into a place where families can shop for children's clothing with dignity and respect.
 
Executive Director Eric Chase talked about the God's Closest project, saying "Five years ago was our vision to turn this space into more of a store-like environment where children can shop and select clothing with dignity. Today we are blessed to be able to say we have achieved that vision. We are humbled by the generosity of all our friends and supporters who have partnered to help make this happen."
 
The improvements to God's Closet were made possible through the generous support of donors, including the J. William Warehime Foundation, the Rice Family Foundation, Armstrong Flooring, Inc., Lehman Construction Services, the Adams County Community Foundation, Christ Lutheran Church of Spry, the Arthur & Lee E. Glatfelter Foundation and the Gottfried Living Trust.
 
God's Closet is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as well as the first and third Thursday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m. Appointments are available at other times. Donations are always welcome, and anyone can refer a family to God's Closet by calling (717) 624-4461.
 
About Children's Aid Society:
Children's Aid Society Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren is a not-for-profit agency serving children and their families in York, Adams, and Franklin counties since 1913. Children's Aid Society's services include creative art therapy, a crisis nursery, family advocacy, parenting support groups and a 24 hour hotline. The organization currently has locations in New Oxford, Chambersburg and York. To learn more, please visit cassd.org.

The HART Center, a non-profit organization located in New Oxford, has been named the Chamber Business of the Year by the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce. The HART Center provides a variety of work training experiences for adults with disabilities in Adams County and York County. The Center celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019 and currently serves over 150 individuals with developmental disabilities, chronic mental illness and physical disabilities. Individuals complete fulfillment projects and subcontract work for local businesses.

Each year, the Chamber presents the Business of the Year award to a  member that has made a significant impact in the New Oxford community.  Chamber members and their employees were asked to submit nominations for Chamber businesses or organizations that fit the aforementioned criteria. The Chamber received nominations for six different businesses and organizations this year. The Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted to present the Business of the Year award to the HART Center based on the Center’s continual commitment to helping individuals in our community.

The Chamber Business of the Year is typically honored at the organization’s fall breakfast and in the annual Harvest Day Parade in October. Since both events were canceled this year due to COVID, the HART Center will be honored as the 2020 Business of the Year at the next in-person breakfast and in the 2021 Harvest Day Parade.

Past recipients of the Chamber Business of the Year include: Smith’s Auto Sales, Inc. (2019), Feiser Funeral Home, Inc. (2018), Eicholtz (2017), Sleighter’s Furniture & Sleep Shop (2016), Martin’s Hardware (2015), Scott &Co. Fine Jewelers (2014), Timbar (PCA) (2013) and Yazoo Mills (2012).

Conewago Valley School District exchange students (from L to R) Cimberley, Vera and Hannah  with breakfast speaker Superintendent Dr. Russell Greenholt. 

The Chamber hosted its biannual New Member breakfast on Tuesday, March 12 at Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community. 

The breakfast is open to all members and celebrates the Chamber’s newest members as well as New Oxford High School’s 2018-2019 exchange students. 
The Chamber would like to welcome its newest members: 
     ◆ Essis & Sons, Inc.
     ◆ Len Dick Signs Inc.
     ◆ New Oxford Social & Athletic Club
     ◆ Primerica Financial Services - Marc Weber
     ◆ RLH CPAs & Business Advisors, LLC.

The Chamber also welcomed its newest honorary member, Kerry Prutzman. Kerry is an employee of the New Oxford Borough and has always been willing to assist the Chamber with events and projects. 

In addition to honoring the Chamber’s newest members, the Chamber presented Conewago Valley School District’s three foreign exchange students with plaques. The students in attendance were Cimberley Conen (Germany), Hannah Schneider (Germany) and Vera Traas (Netherlands).

After the exchange students were honored, Conewago Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Russell Greenholt talked about the Colonial Manufacturing Program, a new opportunity for students to receive hands-on training for skilled jobs in manufacturing including welding and construction. College is not the only option for students after high school and the new addition to the school district will allow students to explore other avenues for employment after graduation. There is a need for more skilled laborers, especially in our region. South Central Pennsylvania is home to an impressive manufacturing base, which is evident in New Oxford and the surrounding communities. 

With the support of local manufacturing businesses, the Conewago Valley School District will be able to provide a unique educational opportunity to its students as well as students from other local school districts. The program is slated to begin in late 2019. 
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The Chamber is thankful to all who attended the breakfast. Special thanks to our breakfast sponsor PCI Insurance and our host Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community. Additional thanks to Dr. Greenholt for serving as our speaker, Michele Sheets for emceeing and Dot Robinson for organizing the breakfast. 

The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the members of the 2019 Board of Directors.

At the General Meeting in October, four members were elected to the board. Mindy Becker (Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community), Mike Deshong (Quality Eicholtz) and Ashley Hershey (RLH CPAs & Business Advisors, LLC) were elected to three year terms. Vicki Heller (PNC Bank) was elected as an alternate (one year term). 

At the November board meeting, nominations and elections were held for the chaired board positions. Congratulations to the 2019 Board chairs: President - Rose Lansing (Redbud House), Vice President - Ashley Hershey, Secretary - Mindy Becker and Treasurer Tina Palermo (M&T Bank). 

Rounding out the 2019 board are: Dot Robinson (Borough Liason), Brent Toomey (New Hope Ministries), David Laughman (DL3 Systems), Laura Becker (Doceo) and Mariah Robinson (individual member). 

Congratulations to the 2019 Board of Directors!

Due to the hiring of new Marketing/Membership Coordinator, Michaela, the Chamber has new office hours. They are as follows: Monday (Closed), Tuesday (10:00am-3:00pm), Wednesday (10:00am-3:00pm), Thursday (12:00pm-6:00pm), and Friday (9:00am-12:00pm). Make sure you stop in during these new hours and meet Michaela! 

The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the hiring of Michaela Shaffer as the new Marketing/Membership Coordinator. Michaela is replacing Britta Corle on August 20, who recently accepted a full-time position, but plans to join the Chamber Board of Directors. Michaela has many excellent skills and a plethora of experience. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a degree in Public Relations. With a 4.0 GPA, Michaela is no doubt an intelligent asset to the Chamber and has experience working for Chambers of Commerce as a former employee of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce. Michaela's skills include working with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop as well as Microsoft Office Suite. The Chamber is so excited to have Michaela in the office and looks forward to seeing how her numerous skills and experience will help grow the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce. 

The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the addition of a classic and antique car show to our annual Antique Market & Craft Show! The show will take place on South Peters Street and feature 25 cars!  All registrants will receive a car dash plaque and one lucky winner will be awarded Best of Show! Contact the Chamber office at 717-624-2800 or email [email protected] to find out more!

Congratulations to the following new Chamber members whose membership applications were approved at the January Chamber Board meeting: Carla Green of H&R Block, Lori Musser, and Michael Schen. The Chamber is so excited to have these three new members and look forward to working with them in the new year! 

New Oxford Mayor Portia Bosch and Start Farm Insurance Agent Ryan California are the newest members of the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce! We are so excited to have these two new members and look forward to seeing them both at Chamber events throughout the year 2018!