HyperLocalDeals

The Cleveland Animal Protective League

Kim Novak Proctor — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 04:44:55 +0000

The Cleveland Animal Protective League’s mission is to foster compassion and end animal suffering. Incorporated in 1913, they are an independent, nonprofit humane society located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood.

As a 501(c)(3) agency, The Cleveland APL is not funded or controlled by any government or national animal welfare organization. Their animal shelter, services, and programs are made available through fundraising, donations, foundation and corporate support, and service fees.

The Cleveland APL is committed to 100 percent placement of adoptable animals and envision a time when every friendly, healthy, homeless animal in our community can be cared for until a new family is found.

The Cleveland APL provides shelter to homeless animals relinquished by their guardians, animals that are rescued from abuse or neglect, and stray or abandoned cats. Stop in and visit the many animals available for adoption – make one of their friends one of your very best friends!

Many thanks to Abstract- A Hair Salon for their support!

The Cleveland Animal Protective League's mission is to foster compassion and end animal suffering. Incorporated in 1913, they are an independent, nonprofit humane society located in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. As a 501(c)(3) agency, The Cleveland APL is not funded or controlled by any government or national animal welfare organization. Their animal shelter, services, and programs are made available through fundraising, donations, foundation and corporate support, and service fees. The Cleveland APL is committed to 100 percent placement of adoptable animals and envision a time when every friendly, healthy, homeless animal in our community can be cared for until a new family is found. The Cleveland APL provides shelter to homeless animals relinquished by their guardians, animals that are rescued from abuse or neglect, and stray or abandoned cats. Stop in and visit the many animals available for adoption - make one of their friends one of your very best friends! Many thanks to Abstract- A Hair Salon for their support!

Is Group Buying Bad for Business?

Les Proctor — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:27:41 +0000

Group Buying Offers Merchants an Opportunity to Make New Friends and Customers with ‘Deals not Steals’

Since we’ve started our group buying site a couple of months ago, I’ve heard a lot about Groupon and how it’s bad for business.

What is Group Buying?

A merchant offers a deal say “thank you” to their customers. Their customers then share the deal with their friends, who try the service, and then become regular customers.

A Group Buying Service works with local merchants and offers their products or services at significantly reduced prices, typically 50% off, on the condition that a minimum number of buyers make a purchase. Buyers then print off a voucher to claim their discount with their local merchant. Typically the Merchant and the Group Buying Service split the proceeds 50%-50%.

Is Group Buying Really that Bad for Business?

Aside from bad advertising, and cultural insensitivity, I don’t feel compelled to defend Groupon, or to justify Group Buying, but I do find it important to explain how we’ve set out to be different.

At HyperLocalDeals, we distinguish ourselves from Groupon in two very important ways:

We offer more money back faster to the merchant; typically 70% in 5 days, and
If the merchant gives 5% to their favorite local charity, we match it.

It’s a very simple distinction, and I call it ‘Group Buying with a Purpose.”

Group Buying with a Purpose

By offering (1) deals not steals, and (2) a cause to donate to, it attracts a different type of buyer–people who are more socially conscious, and more likely to become regular customers. Consumers get a great deal to support and/or try a new local merchant, which also helps build community (by tying in the cause), and the merchant get the opportunity to make new friends who might become regular customers.

This also gives HyperLocalDeals about a 20% margin to cover processing fees, costs of marketing, commissions, etc.– a small reasonable profit for the service.

It’s not Group Buying Per Se, but Bad Deals that are Bad for Business

I jokingly tell my wife that I’m writing a book entitled: “Life is a Deal”, or “Life is a Series of Deals”.

And the fact of the matter you do a deal every day whether you’re conscious of it our not. When you took your last job, you did a deal with your employer, or if you’re an employer you did a deal when you hired your last salesperson. You do a deal when you join a gym or when you buy a new car (or when you take your car in to get it serviced).

Some deals are good. Some aren’t. That’s the nature of horse trading, real-estate development, and used cars. Hopefully over time, as you do more deals, hopefully you get better at doing deals.

The #1 complaint most merchants have about Groupon is that the buyers are rude and don’t become regular customers. The problem is that Groupon has trained their subscribers to look for what I call “steals” not “deals”. They’ve even got a story about a guy who’s living off of Groupons. I’m sorry but that guy is never going to become a regular customer.

The only reason a merchant would create an offer with such a steep discount is if there’s a possibility that the buyers will become regular customers.

The Goal is to Create Friends who Become Real Customers

We tell our merchants to create a “deal” not a “steal”. And we encourage them to take a percentage of the deal and offer it to their favorite local charity–whatever is most meaningful and closest to their heart.

How to run a successful HyperLocalDeal

Create a great deal (not a “steal”) to reward your customers and to attract new prospects. Typically this is 50% off a high-margin/highly-sought after product or service. You do not want to lose money on this. Worst-case scenario you break-even or cover fixed costs.
Promote the deal to your own list via email and through your own social media, and
Encourage your charity to promote the deal too. They’ll benefit too. Why not? Involve them. They’ll want to promote you to their donors too.

At the same time we promote the deal to our growing list of subscribers/buyers, and through our social media.

It’s all about making new friends! A great deal, promoted as a one-time offer to thank your customers and get them to refer friends to you, and also promoted at the same time as a fundraiser for your charity is a win-win-win for everyone involved.

We’ve seen this model work work, as we started out with very few subscribers and limited resources.

A Real Customer is Someone Who is Happy Prepared to Pay Full Price

A real customer is someone who is glad to find a merchant, and is happy to happy to pay full price for the service. Isn’t that the way it was in the olden days? We were friends with the people with whom we did business, and more money circulated faster and more often through our local economies.

The Endgame is Greater Community and More Vibrant Local Economies

At HyperLocalDeals, our goal is not one deal here and one deal there.

We want to use Group Buying and Social Networking to facilitate introductions of our merchants to new customers and vice-versa. Our purpose is to raise awareness about the social transactions that are taking place every day all over Metropolitan Cleveland.

There are a million little deals going on every day in all our communities–and the point is we all individually have the power to choose where we do deals. Collectively we have some real power. And with our choices we determine not whether, but how fast, money flies from the hand of the many to the hand of the few.

“With our choices we determine not whether, but how fast, money flies from the hands of the many to the hand of the few.”

The “social transaction” is what binds us together as a community

We all choose every day. We choose to immediately get the best possible price at the Big Box Stores, or to mindfully take advantage of the greater value and convenience, and relationship with a locally owned merchant.

That is why we believe if everyone approaches “Group Buying with a Purpose” with their eyes wide open–the merchant, the consumer, and the charity– it will help create more vibrant local economies, and make people more aware of the “social transactions” we engage in every day that bind us together as community.

And to answer the original question “Is Group Buying Bad for Business?”. I’ll answer it with an emphatic emphatic: “No!”.

Maybe that’s why according to an article in CRM magazine, Deal-a-Day Spending Likely to Reach $3.9B in U.S. by 2015.On the contrary, Group Buying can be great for business. It’s the social transaction that binds us together as community.

Group Buying Offers Merchants an Opportunity to Make New Friends and Customers with ‘Deals not Steals’

Since we've started our group buying site a couple of months ago, I've heard a lot about Groupon and how it's bad for business.

What is Group Buying?

A merchant offers a deal say "thank you" to their customers. Their customers then share the deal with their friends, who try the service, and then become regular customers. A Group Buying Service works with local merchants and offers their products or services at significantly reduced prices, typically 50% off, on the condition that a minimum number of buyers make a purchase. Buyers then print off a voucher to claim their discount with their local merchant. Typically the Merchant and the Group Buying Service split the proceeds 50%-50%.

Is Group Buying Really that Bad for Business?

Aside from bad advertising, and cultural insensitivity, I don't feel compelled to defend Groupon, or to justify Group Buying, but I do find it important to explain how we’ve set out to be different. At HyperLocalDeals, we distinguish ourselves from Groupon in two very important ways:

We offer more money back faster to the merchant; typically 70% in 5 days, and
If the merchant gives 5% to their favorite local charity, we match it.

It’s a very simple distinction, and I call it ‘Group Buying with a Purpose."

Group Buying with a Purpose

By offering (1) deals not steals, and (2) a cause to donate to, it attracts a different type of buyer--people who are more socially conscious, and more likely to become regular customers. Consumers get a great deal to support and/or try a new local merchant, which also helps build community (by tying in the cause), and the merchant get the opportunity to make new friends who might become regular customers. This also gives HyperLocalDeals about a 20% margin to cover processing fees, costs of marketing, commissions, etc.-- a small reasonable profit for the service.

It’s not Group Buying Per Se, but Bad Deals that are Bad for Business

I jokingly tell my wife that I’m writing a book entitled: “Life is a Deal”, or “Life is a Series of Deals”. And the fact of the matter you do a deal every day whether you’re conscious of it our not. When you took your last job, you did a deal with your employer, or if you’re an employer you did a deal when you hired your last salesperson. You do a deal when you join a gym or when you buy a new car (or when you take your car in to get it serviced). Some deals are good. Some aren’t. That’s the nature of horse trading, real-estate development, and used cars. Hopefully over time, as you do more deals, hopefully you get better at doing deals. The #1 complaint most merchants have about Groupon is that the buyers are rude and don’t become regular customers. The problem is that Groupon has trained their subscribers to look for what I call “steals” not “deals”. They’ve even got a story about a guy who’s living off of Groupons. I’m sorry but that guy is never going to become a regular customer. The only reason a merchant would create an offer with such a steep discount is if there’s a possibility that the buyers will become regular customers.

The Goal is to Create Friends who Become Real Customers

We tell our merchants to create a “deal” not a “steal”. And we encourage them to take a percentage of the deal and offer it to their favorite local charity--whatever is most meaningful and closest to their heart.

How to run a successful HyperLocalDeal

Create a great deal (not a “steal”) to reward your customers and to attract new prospects. Typically this is 50% off a high-margin/highly-sought after product or service. You do not want to lose money on this. Worst-case scenario you break-even or cover fixed costs.
Promote the deal to your own list via email and through your own social media, and
Encourage your charity to promote the deal too. They’ll benefit too. Why not? Involve them. They’ll want to promote you to their donors too.

At the same time we promote the deal to our growing list of subscribers/buyers, and through our social media. It’s all about making new friends! A great deal, promoted as a one-time offer to thank your customers and get them to refer friends to you, and also promoted at the same time as a fundraiser for your charity is a win-win-win for everyone involved. We’ve seen this model work work, as we started out with very few subscribers and limited resources.

A Real Customer is Someone Who is Happy Prepared to Pay Full Price

It’s important for everyone to understand that a HyperLocalDeal is a special promotion, not unlike a the “loss leader” that a Grocery Store runs on “Seedless White Grapes” or on “Romaine Lettuce” to attract shoppers, who then fill their carts with other items, and don’t give a second thought to paying full price (as long as the prices are reasonable). A real customer is someone who is glad to find a merchant, and is happy to happy to pay full price for the service. Isn’t that the way it was in the olden days? We were friends with the people with whom we did business, and more money circulated faster and more often through our local economies.

The Endgame is Greater Community and More Vibrant Local Economies

At HyperLocalDeals, our goal is not one deal here and one deal there. We want to use Group Buying and Social Networking to facilitate introductions of our merchants to new customers and vice-versa. Our purpose is to raise awareness about the social transactions that are taking place every day all over Metropolitan Cleveland. There are a million little deals going on every day in all our communities--and the point is we all individually have the power to choose where we do deals. Collectively we have some real power. And with our choices we determine not whether, but how fast, money flies from the hand of the many to the hand of the few.

“With our choices we determine not whether, but how fast, money flies from the hands of the many to the hand of the few.”

The “social transaction” is what binds us together as a community

The more local money stays local, the more it circulates through our local economy, the better life will become for everyone. A more vibrant local economy means more jobs, greater tax base, more demand for housing... literally everyone benefits. We all choose every day. We choose to immediately get the best possible price at the Big Box Stores, or to mindfully take advantage of the greater value and convenience, and relationship with a locally owned merchant. That is why we believe if everyone approaches “Group Buying with a Purpose” with their eyes wide open--the merchant, the consumer, and the charity-- it will help create more vibrant local economies, and make people more aware of the “social transactions” we engage in every day that bind us together as community. And to answer the original question "Is Group Buying Bad for Business?". I'll answer it with an emphatic emphatic: "No!". Maybe that's why according to an article in CRM magazine, Deal-a-Day Spending Likely to Reach $3.9B in U.S. by 2015.On the contrary, Group Buying can be great for business. It’s the social transaction that binds us together as community.

Hospice of the Western Reserve

Kim Novak Proctor — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:03:46 +0000

Hospice of the Western Reserve is one of the five largest non-profit hospice programs in the United States and the largest hospice in the state of Ohio. We take great pride in our care for individuals as well as our contributions to the field of hospice and palliative care.

Hospice care relieves patients and families from the confusing medical jargon, complicated insurance questions, and physical pain that can accompany a terminal illness. With these barriers removed, the patient and family may focus on the deeper work of hospice: spiritual and emotional counseling, creating a legacy for future generations, and strengthening relationships prior to death. While these are the general goals of hospice care, Hospice of the Western Reserve believes that our success also depends on the many unique programs and services we offer.

Through our world-class Hospice Institute, physicians, healthcare professionals, and students across Northern Ohio receive education and expertise on caring for patients with a serious illness. We are the only hospice provider in Northern Ohio with a children’s hospice program, and we also offer special services such as palliative care for non-hospice patients as well as bereavement support for all members of the community.

Hospice of the Western Reserve receives little to no reimbursement or other income for many of these special programs. It is only through the generosity of individual, foundation, and corporate donors that Hospice of the Western Reserve is able to provide over $5 million in charity care and unreimbursed services each year.

Thanks to Spirit of Clay and HyperLocalDeals for their contribution to Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Hospice of the Western Reserve is an internationally recognized and award-winning community-based, non-profit hospice founded in 1978. The organization cares for 1,200 seriously ill patients and their families daily across Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Summit, and Ashtabula Counties. We provide care wherever the patient lives – in the home, hospital, long-term care facility, or at Hospice of the Western Reserve’s 42-bed residential facility, Hospice House. Hospice of the Western Reserve is one of the five largest non-profit hospice programs in the United States and the largest hospice in the state of Ohio. We take great pride in our care for individuals as well as our contributions to the field of hospice and palliative care. Hospice care relieves patients and families from the confusing medical jargon, complicated insurance questions, and physical pain that can accompany a terminal illness. With these barriers removed, the patient and family may focus on the deeper work of hospice: spiritual and emotional counseling, creating a legacy for future generations, and strengthening relationships prior to death. While these are the general goals of hospice care, Hospice of the Western Reserve believes that our success also depends on the many unique programs and services we offer. Through our world-class Hospice Institute, physicians, healthcare professionals, and students across Northern Ohio receive education and expertise on caring for patients with a serious illness. We are the only hospice provider in Northern Ohio with a children’s hospice program, and we also offer special services such as palliative care for non-hospice patients as well as bereavement support for all members of the community. Hospice of the Western Reserve receives little to no reimbursement or other income for many of these special programs. It is only through the generosity of individual, foundation, and corporate donors that Hospice of the Western Reserve is able to provide over $5 million in charity care and unreimbursed services each year. Thanks to Spirit of Clay and HyperLocalDeals for their contribution to Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Fairhill Partners: Like-minded agencies “living” together in community

Kim Novak Proctor — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:42:49 +0000

Fairhill Partners began operations in 1987. It grew out of the vision of a small group of organizations with complementary missions of providing direct and ancillary services to older adults, their lay and professionals caregivers, and others who serve them. They determined that like-minded agencies “living” together in a professional community would encourage collaboration and make best use of available resources.

Every year, over 23,000 Greater Clevelanders come to the Fairhill multi-tenant campus for services such as the Computer Learning Center, primary healthcare, home-delivered meals, employment assistance, art therapy, an intergenerational community school, temporary housing, programs for grandparents raising grandchildren, and the education and workshops offered by a school for caregivers.

At Fairhill, our mission is connecting people to opportunities for lifelong learning, intergenerational relationships and successful aging. Successful Agers adapt to life’s inevitable changes, enjoy dynamic relationships, and live with a sense of purpose and joy.

More than 30 organizations choose to lease space and make their home on the Fairhill campus. Staff and clients of these campus organizations have access to, and are part of, lifelong learning, lifelong earning and lifelong service. To learn more about options on joining our dynamic campus, please visit Fairhill Partners Leasing.

Thanks to Martel Salon and HyperLocalDeals for their contribution to Fairhill Partners.

Fairhill Partners is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization situated on 9.5 acres of prime real estate on the borders of Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and the Fairfax and Fairwood communities of Cleveland. In 1995, the site was named a Cleveland Historic Landmark. Today, more than 1,200 visitors a month pass through the campus. Fairhill Partners began operations in 1987. It grew out of the vision of a small group of organizations with complementary missions of providing direct and ancillary services to older adults, their lay and professionals caregivers, and others who serve them. They determined that like-minded agencies “living” together in a professional community would encourage collaboration and make best use of available resources. Every year, over 23,000 Greater Clevelanders come to the Fairhill multi-tenant campus for services such as the Computer Learning Center, primary healthcare, home-delivered meals, employment assistance, art therapy, an intergenerational community school, temporary housing, programs for grandparents raising grandchildren, and the education and workshops offered by a school for caregivers. At Fairhill, our mission is connecting people to opportunities for lifelong learning, intergenerational relationships and successful aging. Successful Agers adapt to life's inevitable changes, enjoy dynamic relationships, and live with a sense of purpose and joy. More than 30 organizations choose to lease space and make their home on the Fairhill campus. Staff and clients of these campus organizations have access to, and are part of, lifelong learning, lifelong earning and lifelong service. To learn more about options on joining our dynamic campus, please visit Fairhill Partners Leasing. Thanks to Martel Salon and HyperLocalDeals for their contribution to Fairhill Partners.

Cassidy’s Hope Foundation: Helping to end pediatric cancers

Kim Novak Proctor — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:32:12 +0000

Cassidy’s Hope Foundation financially assists families with children who have childhood cancer and brings awareness that childhood cancer is researched and treated differently than adult cancers and that the research in the United States is severely underfunded.

Cassidy’s Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in honor of Cassidy Erin Jackson. Cassidy bravely battled anaplastic ependymoma, a form of pediatric cancer, for two years. Cassidy lost her battle on April 29, 2006, at the age of 12.

Cassidy’s Hope Foundation was formed to carry out Cassidy’s dream to help relieve some of the financial burden on children and their families who are going through childhood cancer as well as to encourage donors to earmark their donation dollars directly to childhood cancer research through organizations like Cure Search. Currently only 3 cents of every dollar our nation spends on cancer research is directed toward childhood cancer research. There are 12 major types of childhood cancer sharing that 3 cents of research money. Research is the key to the cure!

The foundation delivers gifts to the hospitalized children at Akron Children’s Hospital during holidays through the “Love, Cassidy” program. This program also purchases items for the families and children to use while at the hospital. Items include; laptop computers, game systems, books, movies, calling cards, gasoline gift certificates and cafeteria gift certificates.

The foundation also hosts an annual “Cassidy’s Hope Child” fundraiser to benefit one family who has a child diagnosed with pediatric cancer that is in financial need. This family is chosen by Akron Children’s Hospital.

The “From the Heart” program consisting of gifts donated and purchased by Cassidy’s Hope Foundation with the aid from business owners, groups or individuals, to ease the burden of running a household during such a stressful time: house cleaning gift certificates, gasoline gift cards, restaurant gift cards, movie rental gift cards, department store gift cards, etc. for families of children diagnosed with cancer.

Throughout the year, Cassidy’s Hope Foundation holds several other fundraisers. Proceeds are donated to research and also used to financially assist families of children with childhood cancer. The foundation has assisted with utility bills, gasoline, food, medical bills, cost for transportation to treatment, wheel chair ramps and medical equipment.

Cassidy’s Hope Foundation is a strictly volunteered supported organization. We are in constant need of monetary donations, services, and gift certificates to help relieve the financial burden on these families. We are also in need of raffle baskets to use at our fundraisers. Donating a raffle basket or gift certificate from your business is a great way to advertise and introduce customers to your business.

Please call Pam Czech at (330) 483-3232 if you can donate your time, talents, goods or services.

Many thanks to Orion Cleaning Solutions for their contribution to Cassidy’s Hope Foundation.

Cassidy's Hope Foundation financially assists families with children who have childhood cancer and brings awareness that childhood cancer is researched and treated differently than adult cancers and that the research in the United States is severely underfunded. Cassidy's Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in honor of Cassidy Erin Jackson. Cassidy bravely battled anaplastic ependymoma, a form of pediatric cancer, for two years. Cassidy lost her battle on April 29, 2006, at the age of 12. Cassidy's Hope Foundation was formed to carry out Cassidy's dream to help relieve some of the financial burden on children and their families who are going through childhood cancer as well as to encourage donors to earmark their donation dollars directly to childhood cancer research through organizations like Cure Search. Currently only 3 cents of every dollar our nation spends on cancer research is directed toward childhood cancer research. There are 12 major types of childhood cancer sharing that 3 cents of research money. Research is the key to the cure! The foundation delivers gifts to the hospitalized children at Akron Children’s Hospital during holidays through the "Love, Cassidy" program. This program also purchases items for the families and children to use while at the hospital. Items include; laptop computers, game systems, books, movies, calling cards, gasoline gift certificates and cafeteria gift certificates. The foundation also hosts an annual "Cassidy's Hope Child" fundraiser to benefit one family who has a child diagnosed with pediatric cancer that is in financial need. This family is chosen by Akron Children’s Hospital. The "From the Heart” program consisting of gifts donated and purchased by Cassidy’s Hope Foundation with the aid from business owners, groups or individuals, to ease the burden of running a household during such a stressful time: house cleaning gift certificates, gasoline gift cards, restaurant gift cards, movie rental gift cards, department store gift cards, etc. for families of children diagnosed with cancer. Throughout the year, Cassidy’s Hope Foundation holds several other fundraisers. Proceeds are donated to research and also used to financially assist families of children with childhood cancer. The foundation has assisted with utility bills, gasoline, food, medical bills, cost for transportation to treatment, wheel chair ramps and medical equipment. Cassidy’s Hope Foundation is a strictly volunteered supported organization. We are in constant need of monetary donations, services, and gift certificates to help relieve the financial burden on these families. We are also in need of raffle baskets to use at our fundraisers. Donating a raffle basket or gift certificate from your business is a great way to advertise and introduce customers to your business. Please call Pam Czech at (330) 483-3232 if you can donate your time, talents, goods or services. Many thanks to Orion Cleaning Solutions for their contribution to Cassidy's Hope Foundation.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Northern Ohio Chapter

Les Proctor — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:00:20 +0000

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Northern Ohio Chapter, was founded in 1970 and serves 31 Northern Ohio counties. The Northern Ohio Chapter offers support programs, education and information for patients and their families affected by leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. Programs are also designed for professionals and the community. Patient financial aid is also available.

Facts & Statistics

Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

An estimated 137,260 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2010. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma will account for 9.0 percent of the 1,529,560 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year*.

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 54,020 people in the United States this year. These blood cancers will account for nearly 9.5 percent of the deaths from cancer in 2010 based on the 569,490 total cancer-related deaths.

Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents nearly 148 people each day, or more than six people every hour. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. In general, the likelihood of dying from most types of leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma decreased from 1998 to 2007 (the most recent data available).

Many thanks to Freeway Lanes for their generous donation to this very worthy cause.

*Facts and statistics from Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma Facts 2010-2011

Facts & Statistics

Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer. An estimated 137,260 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2010. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma will account for 9.0 percent of the 1,529,560 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year*. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 54,020 people in the United States this year. These blood cancers will account for nearly 9.5 percent of the deaths from cancer in 2010 based on the 569,490 total cancer-related deaths. Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents nearly 148 people each day, or more than six people every hour. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. In general, the likelihood of dying from most types of leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma decreased from 1998 to 2007 (the most recent data available). Many thanks to Freeway Lanes for their generous donation to this very worthy cause. *Facts and statistics from Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma Facts 2010-2011

The Cleveland Animal Protective League – Savings Lives Since 1913

Kim Novak Proctor — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:09:08 +0000

Many thanks to Groovy Grooming and HyperLocalDeals for their contribution to The Cleveland Animal Protective League.

Honor Good Deeds & The Tolerance Fair

Lisa Bachman — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:22:26 +0000

Justin and his Brothers

Justin Bachman is a 13 year old 8th Grader. Among others, Justin deals with a medical condition called Tourette Syndrome. This causes his body to make involuntary movements and sounds that he cannot control. This has opened him up to ridicule and he fully knows the value of tolerating and accepting the differences in others.

Through our family charity, Honor Good Deeds, Justin has set a goal to expose people to the differences in others by showcasing ways in which they can make a difference. Justin is focusing on two major efforts:

First, Justin is raising money to bring international speaker Marc Elliot to speak in as many schools as possible. Marc is inspiring audiences across the country by sharing his life story to convey the value of tolerance and the basic attitudes and behaviors that allow it to flourish. To see a preview of Marc’s speech, please visit whatmakesyoutic.com.

Second, Justin will be hosting a Tolerance Fair designed to demonstrate the importance of understanding people’s differences and ways in which people can make a difference by giving back to their community.

The Tolerance Fair will be held on Sunday, March 13 from 4:00pm – 7:30pm at the Solon Recreation Center.

Admission to the event is free and will include dinner at no cost. Single dollar raffle tickets will be available for purchase to win a number of outstanding prizes. Justin is raising money to pay for expenses and to make a donations to all charities.

The fair will feature a variety of organizations that will showcase how anyone (singles, families, seniors, etc.) can become involved in making a difference. Additionally, organizations focusing on tolerance strategies will be on hand to discuss acceptance and anti-bullying techniques.

The highlight of the evening will be a presentation from Marc Elliot!

We thank Traci Fisher and everyone at Total Customized Fitness and the HyperLocalDeals team for all their support!

[caption id="attachment_468" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Justin and his Brothers"][/caption] Justin Bachman is a 13 year old 8th Grader. Among others, Justin deals with a medical condition called Tourette Syndrome. This causes his body to make involuntary movements and sounds that he cannot control. This has opened him up to ridicule and he fully knows the value of tolerating and accepting the differences in others. Through our family charity, Honor Good Deeds, Justin has set a goal to expose people to the differences in others by showcasing ways in which they can make a difference. Justin is focusing on two major efforts: First, Justin is raising money to bring international speaker Marc Elliot to speak in as many schools as possible. Marc is inspiring audiences across the country by sharing his life story to convey the value of tolerance and the basic attitudes and behaviors that allow it to flourish. To see a preview of Marc's speech, please visit whatmakesyoutic.com. Second, Justin will be hosting a Tolerance Fair designed to demonstrate the importance of understanding people's differences and ways in which people can make a difference by giving back to their community. The Tolerance Fair will be held on Sunday, March 13 from 4:00pm - 7:30pm at the Solon Recreation Center. Admission to the event is free and will include dinner at no cost. Single dollar raffle tickets will be available for purchase to win a number of outstanding prizes. Justin is raising money to pay for expenses and to make a donations to all charities. The fair will feature a variety of organizations that will showcase how anyone (singles, families, seniors, etc.) can become involved in making a difference. Additionally, organizations focusing on tolerance strategies will be on hand to discuss acceptance and anti-bullying techniques. The highlight of the evening will be a presentation from Marc Elliot! We thank Traci Fisher and everyone at Total Customized Fitness and the HyperLocalDeals team for all their support!

Building Strong Families with Family Connections/Heights Parents Center

Ellen Barrett — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 23:12:44 +0000

Building Strong Families

At Family Connections/The Heights Parents Center, we are interested in creating community and building relationships among families with young kids and providing fun enriching activities for them.

We really believe that all families have strengths and that every parent has the same goal – to be the best parent they can be. We want to be a part of that journey. We also believe that the students in our public schools can benefit from our providing support to the parents so the kids are prepared and ready to learn.

Backgrounder:

Our mission is to support and promote the healthy development of families and children in the belief that strong families build strong communities.

FC practices the philosophy “Family Support” which is -

A type of grassroots, community-based program designed to prevent family problems by strengthening parent-child relationships and providing whatever parents need in order to be good nurturers and providers.
A set of beliefs and an approach to strengthening and empowering families and communities so that they can foster the optimal development of children, youth, and adult family members.
A shift in human services delivery that encourages public and private agencies to work together and to become more preventive, responsive, flexible, family-focused, strengths-based, and holistic—and thus more effective.
A movement for social change that urges all of us—policymakers, program providers, parents, employers—to take responsibility for improving the lives of children and families. The family support movement strives to transform our society into caring communities of citizens that put children and families first and that ensure that all children and families get what they need to succeed.

Our challenge:

Like any other non-profit we struggle to keep our current programs funded as well as find new funding for new, needed and innovative programming. Because most of our participants are young families they often don’t have resources to support us and we strive to keep our fees low or no-cost to accommodate them and provide the parent support vital to the early parenting years.

We are thankful to Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa and HyperLocalDeals for their support.

[caption id="attachment_422" align="alignleft" width="201" caption="Building Strong Families"][/caption] At Family Connections/The Heights Parents Center, we are interested in creating community and building relationships among families with young kids and providing fun enriching activities for them. We really believe that all families have strengths and that every parent has the same goal - to be the best parent they can be. We want to be a part of that journey. We also believe that the students in our public schools can benefit from our providing support to the parents so the kids are prepared and ready to learn.

Backgrounder:

Family Connections/and the former “Heights Parent Center” is a non-profit with Centers located in Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights as well as programs in both the CH-UH schools, Shaker schools and the libraries in both cities. We also have programs in the cities of Cleveland and Maple Heights. Our mission is to support and promote the healthy development of families and children in the belief that strong families build strong communities. FC practices the philosophy “Family Support” which is -

A type of grassroots, community-based program designed to prevent family problems by strengthening parent-child relationships and providing whatever parents need in order to be good nurturers and providers.
A set of beliefs and an approach to strengthening and empowering families and communities so that they can foster the optimal development of children, youth, and adult family members.
A shift in human services delivery that encourages public and private agencies to work together and to become more preventive, responsive, flexible, family-focused, strengths-based, and holistic—and thus more effective.
A movement for social change that urges all of us—policymakers, program providers, parents, employers—to take responsibility for improving the lives of children and families. The family support movement strives to transform our society into caring communities of citizens that put children and families first and that ensure that all children and families get what they need to succeed.

Our challenge:

“We make a life by what we give”

Kim Novak Proctor — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:07:46 +0000

Giving back is essential to building community.

That is why we encourage our merchants to pick a local charity and donate 5% of the proceeds of each deal, which we will then match–so that 10% of the proceeds of each deal go to a good cause.

Smaller is bigger

We offer “deals” not ”steals.” Consistently good deals to benefit really great causes.

Our goal is not volume. We hope to lead the trend in ”Group Buying with a Purpose” or “Socially Conscious Buying“.

We’ve built our systems and marketing programs to be a platform for customer brand advocacy, which is what social media is all about: connecting with others and sharing the best local deals that benefit our entire community.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Our aim is to celebrate our merchants, who are literally the *lifeblood* of our local economy, and help them leverage our group buying platform to find new one time buyers who try them out, and then hopefully become regular customers. When our local merchants prosper, we all prosper.

The Causes

We intend to help you get to know our merchants better by giving you insights into the causes they support.

We will be using this section of our website to post information about the local charities our merchants are supporting through the proceeds of their deal(s). We thank you for helping us celebrate these local merchants and retailers, building stronger and more closely-knit communities, and creating enduring friendships.

With every single voucher you purchase from HyperLocalDeals on behalf of our merchants, you are contributing to building stronger and more vibrant local communities, better friendships, and where more money circulates through the local economy more often–benefitting the entire community.

Happy local shopping!

Giving back is essential to building community. That is why we encourage our merchants to pick a local charity and donate 5% of the proceeds of each deal, which we will then match--so that 10% of the proceeds of each deal go to a good cause.

Smaller is bigger

We offer "deals" not "steals." Consistently good deals to benefit really great causes. Our goal is not volume. We hope to lead the trend in "Group Buying with a Purpose" or "Socially Conscious Buying". We've built our systems and marketing programs to be a platform for customer brand advocacy, which is what social media is all about: connecting with others and sharing the best local deals that benefit our entire community.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

The Causes

We intend to help you get to know our merchants better by giving you insights into the causes they support. We will be using this section of our website to post information about the local charities our merchants are supporting through the proceeds of their deal(s). We thank you for helping us celebrate these local merchants and retailers, building stronger and more closely-knit communities, and creating enduring friendships. With every single voucher you purchase from HyperLocalDeals on behalf of our merchants, you are contributing to building stronger and more vibrant local communities, better friendships, and where more money circulates through the local economy more often--benefitting the entire community. Happy local shopping!