The Highland American Legion & Auxiliary are working to collect items to send to local veterans who are stationed overseas for the holidays.  If enough donations are received, packages will also be sent to those serving state side.  Anyone who has been close to someone on active duty knows how much the soldiers long for a little bit of home, as well as how much they appreciate getting a package.  If you have items or funds that you would like to contribute, please drop it off at the adult circulation desk at Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library by December 3^rd. 

Highland Moose Lodge would like to acknowledge employees of local businesses.

September's Honoree is Nic Rey - Blue Springs
 

"Nick Rey works at Blue Springs Restaurant and every month he sets up our bi-weekly meetings and waits on 25-30 members. He is very pleasant discharging his duties and goes above and beyond what is expected of him." Ed Campbell, President Highland Lions Club.

Congratulations Nic!

A Local nonprofit organization is looking for a space at least 24’x 30’ that is temperature controlled, has an exterior door or garage door, and can be accessed at any time.  Rental fee negotiable.  Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Keeping Kids Warm During The Winter
 
FCB Banks is collecting for  “Coats for Cuties” from through November 20^th.  To donate new and gently used children’s coats, hats, gloves and scarves, please call FCB Banks Highland at 651-9090 to arrange for a drop off.  
 
The coats, hats, gloves and scarves collected will be distributed to area schools to give to local children who are in need of warm clothing for the winter.
 

 
Share your blessings and SAVE with the Yappy Howlidays Promotion from Nov. 4th-Dec 31st  The Swiss Gift Shop has partnered with Metro East Humane Society-Highland (Formerly Highland Animal Shelter) for the holidays!  Make a monetary donation or bring in a donation item and Receive 20% Off your purchase. (sorry cannot be stacked on other offers).
 

First off, I want to give a big thank you to Highland Machine, Brad & Tina Frank, Mosaic Church, and Highland Health Care Center for sponsoring the parade and helping us offset some of our costs!

Secondly, here's the meat & potatoes of the parade:

In leiu of the Cookie Crumb Trail (which replaced the shop Highland tickets) we are doing a promotion called "Highland for the Holidays"!

Short version - pickup a passport. Visit each stop. Be entered to win fabulous prizes.

We are still seeking a few more "fabulous prizes" to help entice as many people as possible to to participate.  You could donate an item to be given away, or a monetary donation to be included in the grand prize $$ giveaway. Contact the Chamber office is you can contribute!

This week another wave of Business Interruption Grant (BIG) funding was awarded. In the Metro East region grants have been awarded to 161 businesses totaling more than $7,045,000. A complete list of grant awards can be found at here.

Grants have been allocated to rural communities in the Central and Southern regions of the State of Illinois to help small and medium sized businesses navigate through these challenging times. In these webinars, attendees will learn about eligibility criteria, required documentation and step-by-step instructions for the online application. DCEO representatives will be available to answer your questions and all attendees will receive a copy of the presentation materials with direct links to the BIG program portal, FAQs and contact information for DCEO representatives who are available for 1-to-1 technical assistance, if needed. Plan now to attend! 

Join one of these Webex events by clicking on the link for your preferred date. 

 

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has launched Back to Business Illinois, a free, voluntary service to connect small businesses of 250 employees or fewer with consultants who will help them evaluate and address workplace safety and health issues related to COVID-19.

DCEO in conjunction with IDES has launched Get Hired Illinois. This portal is designed to connect workers with available job and career training opportunities across the state.

Your window displays are like billboards for your store. They can be the make-or-break factor in whether a customer enters your shop or walks on by.

Yet too often, small retailers create windows that are boring, cluttered or poorly lit. "If you just put some thought in it, it doesn't cost much," says Noelle Nicks, who oversees visual merchandising for Cole Hardware's four stores in San Francisco. Although she has never spent more than $100 on a single design, her windows rarely fail to get attention. Her displays have included a farmers market with light bulb carrots and radishes and a beach setting complete with real sand.

7 Tips to Create Winning Window Displays