June, 2020
Dear Chamber,
The past few months have been difficult, to say the least. Unfortunately, the summer months are not looking much better as far as plans go. City wide celebrations, reunions, sporting events, travel plans, all being postponed or cancelled for the foreseeable future. After much consideration and many discussions with the board of directors, we have decided to cancel our annual Picnic the Park that was scheduled for August. The event has grown tremendously over the years and has become a great end of summer celebration for the community. We appreciate everyone’s support in helping us continue to make the event a great success year after year. It is our intention to do our part to keep our community and our families as safe as possible and we can’t, under these circumstances, host this celebration while keeping everyone’s best interest in mind. We have every intention of picking up where we left off in August 2021! Thank you for understanding. Have a wonderful, safe summer!
Jessica M. Cliff
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, President
March, 2020
Dear Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Members,
With the ongoing developments of the Corona Virus, we regret to inform you that our next events for the Chamber of Commerce will be put on hold indefinitely. The events included as of now are our April 9th Taste of Brooklyn “Teaser” luncheon, our May 2nd Taste of Brooklyn and All that Jazz at LaVilla, and the June 10th State of the Schools luncheon. It was a difficult decision, but these are unpredictable times and we are all trying to do our best to assure the least amount of negative effects to our businesses, economy and community.
What does this mean exactly? The April luncheon is canceled. No going back to that one. However, the Taste of Brooklyn, you all know it’s our big fundraiser of the year. This event 100% funds our scholarship and education fund and as you all also know, scholarship applications for the 2020 scholarships are currently being collected. Fortunately, the Chamber has the money available in our scholarship and education fund to honor this year’s two $2,500.00 scholarships. But without an event, next year’s scholarships will be at risk. It is our hope that we will be able to coordinate schedules with all parties involved (LaVilla, Brooklyn Schools Jazz Band, and all our food vendors) to be able to host the Taste of Brooklyn at a later date. This is yet to be determined.
So, what can you do to help? If you or your business, were planning on sponsoring the Taste of Brooklyn and are still financially able to, we would ask that you do. Your sponsorship won’t necessarily be on display at the event, but I can assure you that all monies collected will be directly placed back into our Scholarship and Education fund for 2021. Of course, we wouldn’t ask you to do this without receiving something in return. The Chamber of Commerce will continue to advertise your business as being a sponsor through our website, bi-monthly newsletter, email blasts and social media posts. You will also receive 4 complimentary tickets to the Taste of Brooklyn 2020 once it is rescheduled. If in the event the Taste of Brooklyn and All that Jazz does not get rescheduled for this calendar year, please know that your sponsorship is directly benefiting the future of the young people in our community.
Our June luncheon, the State of the Schools that Dr. Gleichauf presents each year, will be determined with time. If the schools do not reopen or the Corona Virus doesn’t slow down, this date will most likely be canceled as well. If anything changes, and we hope it does, we will let you know. (UPDATE AS OF 5-1-2020 – State of the Schools luncheon is canceled)
Thank you all so much for your support during these strange times. Stay connected as best you can and stay healthy! I hope to see you all soon.
Best,
Jessica M. Cliff
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, President
