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The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce is Doing Great ThingsDon't Just Take Our Word For It... "The Stoughton Public Schools appreciate the continued willingness and support the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce has provided to maintain our educational partnerships, as well as encourage and develop new endeavors. Their efforts have afforded our students with many opportunities which would not have been realized otherwise. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce for all they do for the children of Stoughton!" Anthony L. Sarno, Jr. Interim Superintendent of Schools "Being a member of the Stoughton Chamber has helped New England Sinai become more connected with our neighbors and businesses in our local community. As Chamber members, we have enjoyed working on many projects beneficial to the community, and we have welcomed the support and participation of Chamber members in our annual Health and Fitness Expo. All of these programs go a long way in making Stoughton a better and healthier community in which to live and work. Additionally, the Stoughton Chamber has provided us an opportunity to tell people about Sinai's services and programs, and share with them the "Sinai story" about the work we do in caring for members of the Stoughton and surrounding communities." Lester P. Schindel, CEO New England Sinai Hospital "The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful community asset. They not only represent the business interests but work hard to provide a high quality of programs and services that benefit everyone. They have built so many unique partnerships that give our children educational opportunities including visits from cultural institutions and summer internships. Most importantly, they help bring businesses into Stoughton which in turn generates revenue to fund Town services. A vital community must have an active business base and I know that the Chamber tries very hard to have a positive role in Stoughton's development." Holly Boykin Chairperson of the Stoughton Finance Committee "Stoughton Cares, Job Shadowing, SHS scholarships, support for the two food pantries. These are just a few of the community and charitable initiatives of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. Local businesses support a myriad of community events, which help add depth and character to the quality of life in Stoughton. When you support the chamber you support what is best in people and what is best in the town. They are a real community treasure!" Dr. David L. Fisher School Committee Representative Retired Principal of the South Elementary School "As the Director of St. Anthony's Market, a food pantry in Stoughton, I never perceived of any connection between our work, and the functions of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. I could not have been more wrong. The Chamber, led by their Executive Director, Terry Schneider, has shown itself to be the friend and trumpeter of all commercial enterprises in Stoughton, large and small, and also champion of the invisible community, your neighbors who live in hardship. They are also the avenue of benevolence toward the local organizations that attempt to answer some of those needs. I have seen the Chamber's assistance in the "Doin' it for Diane" dance and fundraiser, benefiting both St. Anthony's and the Ilse Marks Food Pantry (A.K.A. Stoughton Food Pantry). The contact person, working into the night of Thanksgiving Eve to assist a local family whose home was lost to fire was Terry, representing the Chamber. They also followed through with that family through the ensuing holidays.
From procuring donations from local merchants and industries, to hands on help for our elderly and financially distressed, St. Anthony's Market applauds the work of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce."
"Though, I am no longer the Director of OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton), during my time as Director I found working with the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce to have been an instrumental part of the success of our Strengthening Families Program. It is my understanding that the Chamber has continued to facilitate collaborations between OASIS and local businesses and restaurants that donate meals for 25 families annually. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the children and families in Stoughton." Caitlin Thomas-Henkel, LCSW Program Director Mayor's Substance Abuse Prevention Council "The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce has been an invaluable resource to Stoughton High School for many years. As a partner to our student newspaper, The Knight, the Chamber has provided business contacts for publishing, access to advertisers and ongoing support. In support of our Peer Mediation program at the high school for the past three years, the Chamber had helped in securing funding from the Alcoa Foundation. They have also supported the DECA program, helping us to become one of the strongest chapters in the state. This year, DECA opened a school store using workforce development funds from Alcoa Corp secured again by the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce has provided prestigious scholarships to journalism, music and business students in the graduating class for a number of years.
Under the leadership of Terry Schneider, Stoughton High School and the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce have launched a new initiative, Academics in Motion (Project AIM). One of the benefits of this initiative will be to provide job shadows to SHS students within the Stoughton business community in their area of career interest. Another component is an in-house internship program in which Stoughton High students can apply their business skills to project-based work for local business. Thank you to the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce for making our business-technology program at the high school a model for innovative curriculum and career development."
"Chambers of Commerce are usually considered associations working to help businesses succeed, however, the Stoughton Chamber is unique in that it approaches this mission with a basic premise that businesses succeed when the Town is a better place. Terry Schneider, the Executive Director, is the leader of a highly community-oriented group of business leaders. The Chamber supports an incredible array of positive initiatives that bring resources and benefits to the citizens of Stoughton and beyond. One finds the Chamber and its members involved in nearly every positive event or initiative in Town, and in fact leading a number of them. Working together with Terry, the Schools and the Chamber, we developed a program in Stoughton called “Monkey Business”, a “win-win-win” formula of teamwork, energy and creativity. The Zoo brought animals and educational programming to the schools, followed by student bus trips to the Zoo for a “Hands-On” learning experience, underwritten by Chamber Member Businesses. The businesses benefit from the recognition received, which later became known at the “Doing Well by Doing Good” benchmark. The Chamber even benefited some High School Journalists, who wrote articles that were published in the Chamber Newsletter and the school newspaper. This program was so successful that it was replicated in the Norwood Schools by the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce is so much more than just an association of businesses. It has become a leader in our community, bringing success to the businesses by enhancing the quality of life in our Town."
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