Non-Profits Team Up for Membership Mailer

 

by Jonathan Weaver

A local nonprofit’s membership drive partnered with another Kittanning non-profit last week to keep its members informed.

Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC) solicited the aid of the Production Services Department at the Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County.

ARDC Board President Linda Hemmes said production workers “did a tremendous job.”

“They turned (the job) around in record time,” Hemmes said. “I’m very, very happy with it.”

The mailers gave members an update on the non-profits mission and goals, as well as gave opportunities to local members to also participate and help keep local river locks operational throughout the upcoming summer.

“Handling the mailings ourselves would take volunteers a large amount of time that could be better spent working on other projects, so I am thankful this option is available to us,” Hemmes said.

Hemmes added that a good response from Armstrong County residents might prompt the ARDC to engage other counties in a similar mailer. This was the organization’s first bulk mailing.

“And it went so easily – Progressive Workshop just made it so simple,” Hemmes concluded. “We’ll use them again for any mailing we do.”

Progressive Workshop Vice President of Marketing Matt Ardeno said Progressive Workshop has more than 125 trainees ready to work on jobs both large and small. He said about 10 trainees spent five hours working on the 3,000 flyers.

“Working with ARDC was a pleasure. Its groups like ARDC that reach out to the Progressive Workshop for help with projects that enables us to provide training opportunities for our individuals,” Ardeno said.

But, Administrative Vice-President Karen Waugaman said Production Services is just one area that provides training for people to get ready to enter the workforce.

“These jobs teach our people human relation skills, how to get to work on time and how to complete specific tasks. Our ultimate goal is to help individuals get ready to work in the community,” Waugaman said in a news release.

The cost for each project is determined on what services are needed, but, according to Waugaman, the rates are very competitive.

“Our services allow groups to quickly finish projects without a large strain on their resources, while also giving back to the community,” she said. “When groups use our services, they are investing in the lives of people in the community who are looking to enter the workforce. All of this works together for the good of Armstrong County.”

ARDC looks to continue successfully keeping Locks 6, 7, 8 and 9 along the Allegheny River open this summer – beginning Memorial Day Weekend.