Minerva Alvarado Wins Award for Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Work.

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

We are proud to announce that our Business & Marketing Development Coordinator, Minerva Alvarado has been awarded the "Best of the Bunch" award by the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at the President's Party at The Grove at Centerton on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Minerva's volunteer work for the chamber dates back a few years when she was asked to help the Partnerships & Recognition Committee, chaired by Jason Scythes, First National Bank of Absecon. 

"Minerva's volunteer work and dedication to helping us promote our chamber marketing campaigns is of great help. She knows our business members and also supports them by shopping local. We have seen a great increase from the community in our campaigns, and we owe that in large part to Minerva and her skills with social media marketing and create great promotion videos. Thank you, Minerva," said Jason Scythes who along with Executive Director, Dawn Hunter, presented the award to Minerva.

Women to Watch in 2022 - Minerva Alvarado!

2/26/2022 (Permalink)

Women to Watch in 2022 by South Jersey Biz Magazine

We are very proud of our Business & Marketing Coordinator, Minerva Alvarado, who was named as "Women to Watch" in 2022 by South Jersey Biz Magazine. Follows is an excerpt of the article:

Minerva Alvarado

After filling a variety of roles at numerous area New Jersey law firms, Minerva Alvarado switched gears in 2015 when she joined SERVPRO, an industry leader in cleanup and restoration after water or fire damage, storms and disasters, construction and more. SERVPRO ranks #1 in its category and #8 in Entrepreneur Magazines Top 500 Franchises.

Minerva oversees business and marketing development for SERVPRO Team Fabiani - Southern NJ, the largest franchise operation in the tri-state region. SERVPRO Team Fabiani includes locations across South Jersey, Northeastern PA and Southeastern PA.

Minerva has been a dedicated volunteer since the age of 9, when she volunteered with her Mother for the American Cancer Society. Minerva was recently named the Cumberland County Distinguished Citizen and Woman of Achievement in 2021.

How do you approach work/life balance?

As women, we take on a lot of responsibility in work and in life. Taking the time I need for work and life is important, and being true to myself as well. Getting organized, delegating and learning to say no are key. Equally as important is to work when you’re working and enjoy life/family when you’re not working. My employer ensures that there is a good balance of work and family time!

If you could meet any woman in the world, past or present, who would it be and why?

Two women immediately come to mind. I would want to ask both women the very same question you have asked me or I would say, “Tell me about yourself,” and listen to every word. [The two women are] my paternal grandmother, Rosín Hernandez, who passed away before I was born, and Mother Teresa.

SERVPRO Team Fabiani - Southern NJ covers Atlantic City, Hamilton Twp., Hammonton, Voorhees, Haddon Heights, Cape May County and Cumberland County. To speak to a Franchise Professional, call 609-965-0885.

Preparedness For Pets

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

Have you accounted for Fido, or Lucy when emergency planning?

Pets are just as important as any family member to most people, so why would you not make them a part of your preparedness planning? There are several things you can do to make sure they stay safe as well during an emergency.

PET EMERGENCY KIT

Ready.gov/pets lists the below items as essential to building your Pet Emergency kit.

Food. At least a three-day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.

Water. At least three days of water specifically for your pets.

Medicines and medical records.

Important documents. Registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents. Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.

First aid kit. Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Including a pet first aid reference book is a good idea, too.

Collar or harness with IT tag, rabies tag and a leash.

Crate or pet carrier. Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier in case you need to evacuate. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.

Sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.

A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you. Add species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.

Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.

EVACUATIONS

While practicing fire escape or evacuation plans, be sure to include pets. If an evacuation happens, don't leave pets behind as they can be lost or injured.

IDENTIFICATION

Microchipping pets is a great way to locate them. Most veterinary clinics and shelters have scanners that will read the microchip information to help find a pet's owners.

Be sure to take four-legged friends into consideration when planning for emergencies. Visit ready.gov/pets for further tips and safety precautions to think about for your pets during a disaster. 

After Hurricane Katrina, "It's estimated that over 15,500 animals were ultimately rescued. Of the 15,500 animals rescued, only 15% - 20% were ever reunited with their owners."*

*Source: Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, la-spca.org.

Minerva Alvarado Receives Women of Achievement Award

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties is proud to announce their Business & Marketing Development Coordinator, Minerva Alvarado, has been awarded the 2021 Women of Achievement Award for Cumberland County by the Garden State Council, BSA. The wine reception and awards dinner is set for November 10, 2021 at Auletto’s in Deptford. For more information about the event, please email: patrick.linfors@scouting.org.

This is the 10^th annual Women of Achievement event that recognizes outstanding women business leaders in South Jersey. Minerva will represent Cumberland County. Honorees are selected based on the respect and esteem of their colleagues with a focus on character, leadership and service. Other Honorees are: Joanne Carrocino, Anne Caruso, Joanne Connor, Christina Renna and Theresa Widger. The Woman Scouter of the Year is Vivian Badon.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for Minerva,” said SERVPRO owner, Barbara Stafford-Jones. “Minerva is truly a philanthropist and also has a keen interest in the success of local businesses in the community. She is very deserving of this award, and we are very happy for her.”

Minerva serves on the Board of Directors for Gateway Community Action Partnership in Bridgeton where she recently recruited co-workers in her department to volunteer during National Volunteer Week. She is an Advisory Board Member for The Salvation Army Vineland Corps, and serves on the Public Relations Committee and the Turkey Drive Committee. She has helped to make their annual grassroots turkey drive event one of the largest and most successful in the State of New Jersey. She has received numerous awards through her work with the Salvation Army. Minerva takes special interest in mentoring teen girls and to match them with non-profits in need of volunteers. Minerva also serves as Corporate Secretary for the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce where she chairs the Education Programs Committee and co-chairs the Hispanic Business Committee. The Hispanic Business Committee was responsible for over 100 attending the chamber’s June meeting, “Hispanic Business: The Power of a Culture.” Minerva is a member of the Vineland Chambers of Commerce and serves on the Partnerships & Recognition Committee, and she is also a member of the Millville Chamber of Commerce. Minerva also volunteers for the M25 Initiative.

Minerva’s passion for volunteering stems from her parents who were both very active in church and community organizations. “Through my parents, I learned the importance of paying it forward, helping those less fortunate and giving back to my community,” said Minerva. “I can’t always afford to donate money, but I can donate my time and share my business and computer skills to help the initiatives of local charities and non-profits. You have to be part of the change you want to see.”

Minerva was born and raised in Vineland and enjoys music, scrapbooking and cooking. When she isn’t working or volunteering, she likes to spend time with family and friends and visit her son in upstate New York.

Hispanic Business: The Power of a Culture.

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

L-R: Carol Musso, Jonathan Cummings, Jasmine Velazquez, Luis De La Hoz, Minerva Alvarado (SERVPRO) and Ray Lamboy.

Over 100 Gather in Bridgeton, NJ to Discuss “Hispanic Business: The Power of a Culture.”

Bridgeton Chamber Executive Board Members and Co-Chairs of the Hispanic Business Committee, Minerva Alvarado (SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties) and Jonathan Cummings, (Revive South Jersey, Inc.) with members of the committee, Ileana Serrano (Burgos Serrano Insurance Solutions), Jasmine Velazquez (El Manantial Restaurant, Woodbury) and Colleen Ayala (SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties), assembled an impressive list of leaders from around the region: The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia, Cumberland County Commissioners, Cumberland County Government, Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, Millville Mayor Michael Santiago, Bridgeton Main Street Association, Bridgeton Public Schools, Rowan College of South Jersey, Rutgers University, Workforce Development Cumberland, Cape May & Salem County, The Salvation Army Bridgeton Corps, and three partnering chambers of commerce: Greater Millville, Salem County and Southern New Jersey.

The Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce (“BACC”) and representatives of partnering chambers of commerce met to discuss “Hispanic Business: The Power of a Culture.” Over 80 business and community professionals gathered at the Alms Center in Bridgeton and over 20 more on Zoom at the Chamber’s June meeting. The keynote speakers were invited to start the conversation about the potential of Hispanic business owners in the area and how to maximize their positive impact to the local economy, including a revitalization plan for Downtown Bridgeton.

Luis De La Hoz, Vice President of Community Lending at Valley Bank and Chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (the largest chamber in the state of New Jersey), traveled over two hours to attend in-person. He led the conversation with, “There are over 61 million Hispanic Americans in the United States. Hispanics are the principal driver of the nation’s demographic growth. Hispanic entrepreneurs are the fastest growing segment of business owners and today, Hispanic entrepreneurs own one out of every seven small businesses in the United States.” He added, “It is very important to follow through with community outreach to build relationships in Hispanic business communities - because when you connect to the heart of a community like Downtown Bridgeton, the potential for maximizing economic growth in and around the City is a boost that positively affects everyone.”

Next to speak was Ray Lamboy, President and CEO of the Latin American Economic Development Association (“LAEDA”). Mr. Lamboy said, “Thank you to the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan and Minerva for creating an opportunity for us to have this crucial conversation to work with the Hispanic business community. It was great meeting so many business professionals together with the same goals for Hispanic businesses.” Mr. Lamboy stated LAEDA’s commitment includes working with local and potential business owners to provide business training and information for available resources. Mr. Lamboy has already begun working with Jonathan Cummings, Executive Director of Revive South Jersey. Mr. Cummings said, “It was exciting to see the greater South Jersey community come together in support of Hispanic businesses and the promise they hold for our communities into the future.  We look forward to working together with all in attendance here today to continue the conversation and create opportunities to help our business owners and communities succeed."

The Meeting Sponsors were Century Savings Bank and Revive South Jersey. As David Hemple, CEO of Century Savings Bank stated, “We are committed to the success of Hispanic businesses in our communities and offer our support here today and going forward.”  Jonathan Cummings, Executive Director of Revive South Jersey said, “As an example of our commitment to support local businesses, the meal provided to us today was prepared by Los Molcajetes Mexican Restaurant here in Bridgeton.” Minerva Alvarado added, “Everyone here gave their thumbs up when asked about their meal - the food was a hit. Many thanks to Karen, Maria, Angel and their staff at Los Molcajetes for preparing delicious food for over 80 in-person attendees!”

The next Call to Action will be scheduled promptly in order to start the community outreach in the Downtown Bridgeton Area. The Hispanic Business Committee is also planning an event in September to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. For more information about the Bridgeton Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Committee, please visit baccnj.com or call the chamber office, 856-455-1312.

SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties serves Cape May, Ocean City, the Wildwoods and surrounding communities in Cape May County. We also serve Bridgeton, Millville, Vineland and surrounding communities in Cumberland County.  We are committed to serving our communities and volunteering for local non-profit organizations that advocate to help all local businesses to help them thrive and continue to grow.

SERVPRO Helps to Feed Hundreds

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO employees, Minerva Alvarado and Harold Lapp, Jr. with CFBNJ Christina and Marcus Weaver, Director of Agriculture, GCAP.

Local SERVPRO Helps To Feed Hundreds During National Volunteer Week.

SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties (“SERVPRO”) participated in National Volunteer Week 2021 by volunteering for Gateway Community Action Partnership (“GCAP”) at their Gleaning Project/Food Pantry Center in Bridgeton.

Minerva Alvarado, SERVPRO’s Marketing Development Coordinator and member of the Gateway Board of Directors, organized the volunteer effort with Mayor Albert Kelly and Marcus Weaver, GCAP Director of Agriculture & Food Initiatives. 

Volunteering with Minerva, were members of the SERVPRO Business Development team: Colleen Ayala, Harold Lapp, Jr. and David Brace. Together they volunteered for eight hours over two days. In that short time, the Center was able to provide food for 200 families (600 individuals).

The Center obtains food from multiple sources: The Community Food Bank of New Jersey (“CFBNJ”), donations from local stores including: ShopRite, Aldi, Walmart, Lidl and Target, and from other nonprofits like Sysco. In season, produce is donated by local farms, the Vineland Produce Auction and the Mill Creek Urban Farm. When extra food is available, the Center will deliver door-to-door to Bridgeton Housing Authority sites as well as the Good Shepherd Dining Hall at St. Theresa’s Church in Bridgeton, Spirit and Truth Ministries in Vineland and to 115 seniors at the Spring Gardens complex in Bridgeton. The Center also donates to dozens of other local food pantries, including WIC Programs, Head Start Centers and Family Success Centers throughout the area.

Denise Hladun and Christina Faulk from the CFBNJ stopped in to meet everyone. “Our office is in Egg Harbor Township, but Gateway is one of our clients and I wanted to introduce myself and meet the employees and volunteers,” said Denise Hladun, Director of External Affairs. “We like to support our clients and help them find volunteers.”

Bridgeton Mayor Kelly also stopped by to greet the employees and volunteers and stayed to help and was the first to push carts filled with food packages out to cars waiting to be loaded up. “We are here to help and provide food to residents in need,” said Mayor Kelly. “This mission is important and special to me.” The Center was just short of distributing one million pounds of food in 2020.

GCAP’s Food Distribution Days fall on the last full week of each month on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm each day. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Marcus Weaver, mweaver@gatewaycap.org or 856-392-4195 (Spanish is a plus!)!

“It’s a real pleasure to have Minerva and our Business Development Team on board wanting to volunteer, especially during National Volunteer Week. All together, we volunteer for every chamber of commerce in Cape May and Cumberland Counties as well as Tri-county Rotary, M25, and The Salvation Army Vineland Corps. We care about the communities where we live and work – this is just one way to do our part to show local residents that SERVPRO cares,” said Barbara Stafford-Jones, owner of SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties.

Our COVID-19 Statement

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

OUR COVID-19 STATEMENT:

We understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting communities and families here and around the world. We know these are challenging times for us all and for our businesses.

At SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties, our top priorities are the safety of our team members, minimizing the spread of the virus, and mitigating effects on our business and our continued ability to serve your cleaning, restoration and sanitizing needs.

Our locations in Ocean View and Millville remain open for business serving all communities in the counties of Cape May and Cumberland. We have implemented safety protocols that protect the health of our employees and reduce the risk of virus introduction or spread.

Please continue to reach out with any questions you may have: 609-624-0202.

We remain open to serve you 24/7 all year long. We offer complimentary consultations without obligation to commit to a service. We are Here to Help. Please call 609-624-0202 or email us to speak to a Franchise Professional today.

We will continue to monitor this situation, and do everything possible to serve our customers with the level of performance you entrust in us.

Thank you, and be safe!

From your friends at:

SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties

Independently Owned and Operated.

How to Keep Your Pets Cool

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

Keep Your Pets Cool!

Keep Your Pets Cool During the Dog Days of Summer!

Pets, just like humans, are susceptible to heat illness. Here are a few tips to keep them safe:

• Watch the humidity
• Limit exercise on hot days
• Provide ample shade and water
• Don’t rely on a fan
• Watch out for hot pavement
• Last but not least, NEVER leave your pets unattended inside a vehicle!

Learn more about keeping pets safe in extreme heat at weather.gov.

Check out safety information about avoiding the dangers of extreme heat from the New Jersey Department of Health.

The Franchise Professionals at SERVPRO of Cape May County care about you and your pets in extreme weather. We will care for them as much as you would in an emergency. If you need help with an emergency, please call 609-624-0202. Be safe!