The South Shore Chamber of Commerce News Newswire

3R Plumbing & Mechanical Featured by Zapier for How We Use Automation to Serve You Better

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

We’re proud to share that Zapier, the automation platform used by millions of businesses, recently featured 3R Plumbing & Mechanical in a customer story about how we use their tools, including their new Next-Gen Zaps, to run our company.

When I started 3R in 2022, it was me and one pickup truck in my garage. Today we’re a team of 15 serving 21 South Shore towns, and part of how we’ve grown without losing the personal service our customers count on is automation. Behind the scenes, our systems handle the work that’s easy to miss on a busy day. Two examples:

No request gets forgotten: If a new service request sits for 20 minutes without a response, our team gets an automatic alert so someone follows up with you right away.
You can always reach us: Every 24 hours, an automated check makes sure the pages you use to contact us and request service are working, so a broken form never stands between you and help.
That frees our office team and technicians to focus on you. What it means for our customers is simple: faster responses, fewer things falling through the cracks, and a team that has the information it needs when it shows up at your door.

As a veteran-owned company, we believe in doing things the right way, and that includes investing in the tools that make us better at our jobs.

Read the full story on Zapier’s blog: How 3R Plumbing & Mechanical uses Next-Gen Zaps

— Ross Hunt, Owner, 3R Plumbing & Mechanical

Need plumbing or HVAC service on the South Shore? Call us at 339-244-0937.

Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Names Eastern Bank its 2026 Large Organization Honoree

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

BOSTON, MA, October 2026 – As part of its National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration, the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities has named Eastern Bank its 2026 Large Organization Honoree.

“At Eastern, disability inclusion and belonging start with something simple: knowing our colleagues and understanding how they can prosper at work,” said Kathy Henry, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer of Eastern Bank. “It is part of how we attract and retain great people, and it contributes meaningfully to how we make an impact in serving our customers and communities across Massachusetts and beyond. Being named the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities' 2026 Large Organization Honoree is a meaningful honor for our colleagues, especially the members of our Diverse Abilities Employee Resource Group who help shape our culture and workplace. We thank them for their leadership and the Commission for this recognition.”

Eastern Bank, Greater Boston's leading local bank, recognizes the importance of belonging in the workplace and is committed to building a workplace where every colleague has the opportunity to contribute fully and grow their career. Eastern's employee benefits are designed to be inclusive, accessible and reflective of a range of both employee and caregiver needs and experiences. The Diverse Abilities Group, the company's employee-led, executive-sponsored Employee Resource Group, champions disability inclusion through education, awareness, engagement and advocacy, cultivating a workplace where employees, caregivers and allies feel valued and supported. In recognition of Eastern’s continued commitment to supporting employment for people with disabilities, it was additionally named in 2026, a World's Top Disability Inclusive Business on the Disability Index® for three consecutive years

About Eastern Bank
Founded in 1818, Eastern Bank is Greater Boston’s leading local bank with more than 125 branch locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. As of June 30, 2026, Eastern had approximately $31.1 billion in assets. Eastern provides a full range of banking and wealth management solutions for consumers and businesses of all sizes including through its Cambridge Trust Wealth Management and Private Banking Divisions, which include the largest bank-owned independent investment adviser in Massachusetts with $10.6 billion in assets under management. Eastern takes pride in its advocacy and community support that includes more than $240 million in charitable giving since 1994. An inclusive company, Eastern is comprised of deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. Join us for good at www.easternbank.com and follow Eastern on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: EBC) is the holding company for Eastern Bank. For investor information, visit investor.easternbank.com.

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2027 Marketing Budget Planning in the AI Search Era Webinar Announced by Brick Marketing

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

2027 Marketing Budget Planning in the AI Search Era Webinar Announced by Brick Marketing

BOSTON, October 12, 2026 — Brick Marketing has announced its upcoming webinar, “2027 Marketing Budget Planning in the AI Search Era,” scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST, replay will be sent to all registrants. The free webinar will run for 60 minutes and focus on helping businesses make informed decisions about their digital marketing investments for the coming year. Registration is open, and space is limited.

The webinar session will examine budget planning across search engine optimization, AI search, pay per click advertising, content marketing, and other channels that can help attract higher quality leads. Attendees will also learn how to evaluate spending based on measurable sales contributions and brand value, rather than simply carrying the same expenses into another year.

For business owners and marketing leaders, the starting point is a familiar concern: where should the money go? A company may have several marketing programs running, regular reports arriving, and a team working hard to keep everything moving. That does not necessarily make it clear which investments are helping the business grow.

“Before you decide what to spend next year, you need to understand what you are trying to accomplish and what your current marketing is doing for the business,” said Nick Stamoulis, President of Brick Marketing. “Adding another channel is not always the answer. Sometimes you need to improve the work already being done, adjust your priorities, or stop paying for something that no longer makes sense.”

Webinar registration is available at https://www.brickmarketing.com/webinars.

Start With the Business Goals:
The December webinar brings the budget conversation back to business objectives. A marketing budget should reflect the customers a company wants to reach, the services or products it needs to support, and the sales opportunities it hopes to create. Those priorities provide a more useful starting point than a list of platforms.

For example, consider a company that wants to attract larger accounts. Increasing the number of inquiries alone would not necessarily support that goal. The business would also need to consider whether its messaging, website content, advertising, and follow up are appropriate for the buyers it wants to reach.

Another company might need to support an existing sales team with more consistent interest from qualified prospects. Its planning questions could involve staying visible between conversations, answering common objections, and giving potential customers a reason to return. The budget should account for that work, even when the objective is not an immediate purchase.

These examples illustrate why there is no useful universal percentage that every business should assign to SEO, paid advertising, or AI search. The right allocation needs to reflect the company’s goals, available resources, and evidence from its own marketing activity. A budget copied from another organization would not provide that context.

The aim is to make spending decisions easier to explain. When leadership asks why a particular activity deserves funding, the answer should connect to a business need. It should also establish what the company will review to determine whether that investment is making progress.

For teams that have already approved a 2027 budget, the discussion can serve as a review of the assumptions behind it. For those still working through decisions, it provides a reason to connect proposed expenses with specific priorities. In either case, the question is not simply whether the total is affordable. It is whether the planned spending supports the work the business needs to accomplish.

Consider How Buyers Find and Evaluate a Company:
The webinar will explore how AI search platforms, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude, search engines, and paid media channels can influence different parts of the buyer journey. AI search will be considered alongside the broader marketing program, including generative engine optimization, or GEO, and answer engine optimization, or AEO.

A useful planning exercise is to consider a prospective customer who encounters a company more than once before making contact. That person might first see an advertisement, later read an article, and eventually visit the website while comparing providers. A budget review should leave room to investigate that sequence rather than assuming one interaction tells the entire story.

The same reasoning applies when evaluating AI visibility. Being mentioned in an answer and receiving a qualified sales inquiry are different outcomes. Businesses should be clear about which outcome they are measuring and avoid treating a mention as proof that a sale will follow.

For companies deciding how much attention to give AI search, the practical question is how that work fits their customers and their existing marketing. Planning should consider what prospective buyers need to understand about the business and whether the company’s information supports that evaluation.

There is also a difference between testing an opportunity and committing a substantial budget to it. A business can define the purpose of a test, identify the evidence it hopes to gather, and set a review point before expanding the commitment. That creates a more deliberate discussion than making a spending decision simply because a platform is receiving attention.

Review What Each Digital Marketing Channel Contributes:
One of the central topics of the webinar is how to evaluate which marketing channels deserve more investment and which may be consuming budget without producing enough measurable sales and brand value. The focus is on making informed choices about the overall marketing mix.

That evaluation should start with the job an activity is expected to perform. An advertising campaign intended to generate appointment requests calls for different questions than a content program intended to help prospects understand a complicated service. Reviewing both only by total website visits would leave important questions unanswered.

A company reviewing paid advertising, for example, should ask what happened after the click. Did the visitor reach a relevant page? Was the offer appropriate? Did the inquiry match the type of customer the business serves? These questions help separate an advertising problem from a problem elsewhere in the process.

For content, the review might begin with relevance. Does the material address questions that customers actually bring to sales conversations? Does it explain the company’s services clearly? Is there a sensible next step for a reader who wants to learn more? Publishing frequency alone does not answer those questions.

Brand activity deserves an equally clear purpose. A company can ask whether it is reaching the intended audience, whether that audience is engaging, and what evidence supports continuing the investment. Calling an expense “branding” should not remove the need to explain its value.

The same discipline should apply before cutting a program. A weak result warrants investigation, but the response should depend on what the review reveals. The business may need a different message, a better offer, more appropriate targeting, or a different channel altogether. Each conclusion suggests a different budget decision.

This review matters even when total spending will remain unchanged. A company might decide to give an effective program more support by removing an expense that has lost its purpose for the company. Another might keep its allocation but revise the work behind it. The important step is making the choice deliberately, with a reason that the team can explain.

Keep Lead Quality in the Marketing Budget Conversation:
Attracting higher quality leads is a stated focus of the December session. For budget planning purposes, that means looking beyond the number of people who complete a form or request information. Businesses need a working definition of what makes an inquiry worth pursuing.

A useful definition could include the prospective customer’s needs, fit with the company’s services, ability to purchase, and expected timing. The criteria will differ by business. What matters is giving marketing and sales a shared understanding of the opportunities they want to create.

Consider two hypothetical campaigns. One produces many inquiries from people who are not suitable customers. The other produces fewer inquiries, but those conversations concern services the company wants to sell. Without reviewing quality, a budget decision based only on volume could favor the wrong campaign.

Sales feedback belongs in that review. Teams can compare what prospects ask, why conversations stall, and which messages appear to set appropriate expectations. This creates a practical way to connect campaign planning with the people responsible for turning interest into business.

The length of the sales process also belongs in the review. If a company typically needs several months to turn an inquiry into a customer, it should consider that timing when examining recent campaigns. That does not excuse poor performance. It means separating early signs of progress from completed sales and being clear about what evidence is available at each stage.

“Getting more leads sounds good until you look at who those people are and whether you can actually help them,” Nick Stamoulis of Brick Marketing said. “The budget needs to support the kinds of customers you want, not just a larger number in a report. That takes a clear strategy and honest conversations between marketing, sales, and leadership.”

Account for the Work Behind the Campaigns:
A budget also needs to account for what it takes to carry out the plan. Buying advertising or selecting a marketing channel is only part of the decision. The company must determine who will prepare the content, manage the work, review performance, and follow up with prospective customers.

An otherwise reasonable plan can become difficult to maintain when those responsibilities are left unresolved. Before approving another initiative, leadership should consider whether the team has the time and support to do the work properly. Adding activity without answering that question can create an unrealistic set of expectations.

The website deserves attention in the same discussion. Before paying to send additional visitors to a service page, a business should review whether the page explains the offer clearly and makes the next step easy to understand. More promotion does not resolve an unclear message.

Planning should also distinguish between an ongoing commitment and work that needs to happen before a campaign begins. Preparing a landing page, developing useful content, or improving reporting may require resources beyond the media expense itself. Those needs should be visible when the budget is discussed.

A practical plan identifies what matters most, who is responsible, and when the company will review progress. It also leaves room to adjust when the evidence calls for a change. The purpose is to support consistent implementation without treating every initial decision as permanent.

Practical Guidance From Brick Marketing:
The webinar presenters are Nick Stamoulis, President of Brick Marketing, and Katherine Tsoukalas, the agency’s Director of Marketing. Stamoulis works directly with clients on marketing strategy and implementation. Tsoukalas brings experience in content strategy, SEO, and B2B marketing, along with an MBA. Their work connects marketing decisions with the goals businesses are trying to achieve.

The session is relevant to business owners, executives, marketing managers, and others involved in deciding how marketing resources should be used. The budget questions apply both to organizations with established internal teams and to businesses that rely on outside support for some or all of their marketing.

Participants can consider the discussion in relation to their own planning decisions. Useful questions include which business goals have changed, where current spending needs closer review, and whether the proposed work is realistic for the people responsible for it. The objective is a clearer basis for deciding what deserves attention in 2027.

For businesses seeking guidance specific to their organization, Brick Marketing also offers marketing consulting. The service includes reviewing existing marketing activity, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing recommendations tied to business goals. Its scope can include website conversion, content, SEO, AI search, paid advertising, social media, email, and offline marketing.

Information about the agency’s marketing consulting service is available at https://www.brickmarketing.com/consulting-service.

Webinar Registration
“2027 Marketing Budget Planning in the AI Search Era” will take place on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST. The session lasts 60 minutes, and there is no cost to attend. Spaces are limited, so interested business owners and marketing professionals are encouraged to register.

Those who cannot attend at the scheduled time should still register to receive the webinar replay recording. Registration is available through Brick Marketing’s webinar page at https://www.brickmarketing.com/webinars.

The webinar offers an opportunity to step back from individual marketing expenses and consider what the business needs from its overall investment. Whether a company is reviewing an existing plan or deciding where additional resources should go, the discussion will focus on practical strategic insight for 2027.

About Brick Marketing
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Brick Marketing is a digital marketing agency that brings strategy and implementation together. The agency works with businesses throughout the United States and offers digital marketing services, custom training, and marketing consulting.

Brick Marketing develops strategies around each client’s business, marketing, and sales goals, with an emphasis on practical recommendations and measurable outcomes. Its areas of expertise include SEO, AI search, content marketing, paid advertising, and other digital marketing activities that support business growth. Brick Marketing

Additional information about Brick Marketing, its background, and its approach to working with clients is available at https://www.brickmarketing.com/about.

Eastern’s local banking teams serving Greater Plymouth County, the Eastern Bank Foundation and the United Way of Greater Plymouth County

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Eastern Bank Foundation announced its annual support for United Way of Greater Plymouth County’s mission to build a stronger community by identifying needs, mobilizing resources, and creating solutions that make a real difference. Members of the Foundation and Eastern Bank teams serving Brockton and Greater Plymouth County joined leaders of the regional nonprofit at their headquarters in Brockton for a formal check presentation.

Pictured from left to right are:

Matthew Hunt, SVP and Commercial Team Leader, Eastern Bank
Carole Martyn, Interim President & CEO, United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Joanne Schneider, Branch Manager, Belmont Street, Brockton, Eastern Bank
Suzy Nguyen, Community Grants Manager, Eastern Bank Foundation
Ana Andrade, Branch Manager, Legion Parkway, Brockton, Eastern Bank
Kelly Khan, Director of Volunteer & Community Engagement, Eastern Bank Foundation
Heather Nelson, SVP and Retail Regional Manager, Eastern Bank
Jared Rogers, Director of Resource Development, United Way of Greater Plymouth County

Photo Credit: Eastern Bank

Help Wanted Ad: Almeida & Carlson Insurance

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Helping to End Clothing Insecurity – TLC Supply in Braintree to Hold Clothing Drive Beginning October 15th

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

One in three children in Massachusetts lack access to affordable, appropriate clothing.

TLC Supply is joining Cradles to Crayons in their mission to end clothing insecurity. In an effort to ensure every child has the essentials they need to thrive, TLC Supply is holding a clothing drive, October 15-November 12, 2026, at their 48 Arnold Street, Braintree location.

Donations of new or gently used clothing items, including winter coats, hats, gloves and mittens, may be brought to the collection bin inside TLC Supply hardscape and masonry superstore. All sizes of clothing, including adult, are accepted.

Donations may be made at TLC Supply during regular business hours: Monday through Friday 6:30am – 3:00pm, and Saturday 7:00am – 11:00am.

There is also an option to support the clothing drive online. Shop Cradles to Crayons’ Amazon Wish List at https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/

For more information about TLC Supply, visit https://www.tlcsupply.com

About Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit organization based in Newton, MA that provides children, living in homeless and low-income situations, with the essentials they need to thrive at home, at school and at play. Cradles to Crayons mission to end clothing insecurity so one day all children will have the essentials they need for a safe and healthy childhood. Visit https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston

About TLC Supply, Inc.
TLC Supply, Inc. is a “one-stop-shop” renowned for their comprehensive hardscape and masonry building materials used in commercial and residential construction. TLC Supply is a family-owned hardscape and masonry supplier dedicated to providing top-quality materials and expert service to general contractors, masons, architects, towns, municipalities, and homeowners throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire. Operating from their expansive location in Braintree, MA, TLC Supply offers a complete range of hardscaping and masonry products, rebar and other concrete reinforcement, custom fabrication services, and efficient delivery to help customers get the job done right. Their commitment to quality, expertise, and customer satisfaction sets them apart in the industry. Visit TLC Supply’s showroom at 48 Arnold Street, Braintree, MA or online at https://www.tlcsupply.com

We Print Today completes major upgrade to company website, https://weprinttoday.com

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

KINGSTON, MA, ISSUED OCTOBER 1, 2026…We Print Today (https://weprinttoday.com), a commercial print and sign shop serving the region since 1980, has completed a significant upgrade to its website, which will make online ordering easier for its customers.

Among the upgrades are mobile access to the site, online quote requests and published starting prices, all to help customers plan their printing jobs.

The 46-year-old family business has a strong online customer base as well as a brisk walk-in trade. In planning the upgrade to https://weprinttoday.com owner David Struski said that the goal was customer convenience, particularly for online ordering.

He noted that, as an example, customers can now send artwork directly to the Kingston shop, request a quote and check starting prices before even visiting the counter. The upgraded site is mobile phone-friendly and also easily accessed via a desktop computer.

Struski said that another significant change is a simplified file upload process. A customer can use the website’s “Send a File” page (https://weprinttoday.com/send-file) to submit a print-ready PDF or image, and include the requested quantity, materials requested and deadline needed. We Print Today will review the file, send a proof (if necessary), price confirmation and confirm the turnaround before production. Customers do not need a website account to upload their files.

Another benefit for customers who need a price before sending artwork is the online quote form. A separate pricing page, https://weprinttoday.com/pricing lists starting prices for common printing jobs, including copies, signs and banners. We Print Today will provide an exact quote for each job based on its specifications (https://weprinttoday.com/quote)

“People often have the file ready but need an easy way to get it to us and understand what happens next,” said Struski. “We wanted the website to make that first step simple, whether someone is across town or sending us a project from farther away.”

The company produces almost everything in-house, and the largest portion of its printing is digital as opposed to offset. Its trademarked name amplifies the philosophy, “We Print TODAY, because tomorrow may be too late!”

The family business began in Kingston in 1980 under the ownership of David Struski’s parents, Chet and Shirley Struski. For its entire history, the company has operated at 66 Summer Street, beginning with 400 square feet and expanding today to 6,000 square feet. Its production equipment now includes digital presses and wide-format printers for jobs ranging from copies and booklets to posters, building plans and signs. Customers can continue to visit the shop in person; and online file submission gives them another way to start a project.

About We Print Today
We Print Today is a family-owned commercial print and sign shop founded in 1980 in Kingston, Massachusetts. It provides printing, copying, blueprints, signs, banners, invitations and related services from 66 Summer Street. The company also offers document shredding via its Docustroy division, FAX services and UPS shipping. We Print Today is active in community events, supporting local sports teams, the Kingston Public Library Foundation, the Kingston Garden Club and the Jones River Village Historical Society. We Print Today is also a founding member of the Kingston Business Association. For information, call 781-585-6021 or visit weprinttoday.com. We Print Today can also be found on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/weprinttoday/ or Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/weprinttoday/

Cohasset Concierge Medicine Celebrates Grand Opening and South Shore Magazine Feature

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Cohasset Concierge Medicine recently celebrated the Grand Opening of its Cohasset practice with a ribbon-cutting gathering attended by family, friends and members of the local community.

Led by Dr. Carole Vincent, Cohasset Concierge Medicine provides membership-based internal medicine with an emphasis on personalized care, longer appointments and greater physician accessibility. The practice opened with

Cybersecurity Certificate Program offerings at Curry College!

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

These programs are designed to be especially valuable for small businesses looking to strengthen their cybersecurity knowledge and practices while investing in the professional development of their employees.

One of the most exciting aspects is that these opportunities can be available at little to no cost to the business.

Eligible businesses can apply for available funding and, if awarded, use those funds directly toward our approved courses, making it easier to provide employees with high-quality professional development without creating a significant additional expense for the organization.

Learn more about finding opportunities here!

https://commcorp.org/subprogram/wtfp-express-program/

Eastern Bank Foundation Honors Deval Patrick With 2026 Social Justice Award, and Recognizes Nonprofit Just A Start With Inaugural Collaborative Impact Award

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Eastern Bank Foundation Honors Deval Patrick With 2026 Social Justice Award, and Recognizes Nonprofit Just A Start With Inaugural Collaborative Impact Award

BOSTON, MA, September 2026 – Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank, honored Massachusetts’ 71st Governor, Deval Patrick, with its 2026 Social Justice Award at its annual Celebration of Social Justice. The event also recognized the nonprofit Just A Start with the inaugural Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award, in recognition of a collaborative, integrated model they and their partners have created to advance economic and social change through housing, workforce development, and two-generation supports. Hundreds of business, philanthropic and community leaders gathered to honor these outstanding leaders and their contributions.

“Each year, the Celebration of Social Justice is an opportunity to recognize the people and organizations whose courage and persistence make our communities more just and inclusive,” said Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank. “Deval Patrick has devoted his career to expanding opportunity and defending civil rights. Just A Start has spent decades opening doors to housing, education and careers for families across Cambridge and Greater Boston. Both show us that lasting change is built together, and we could not be prouder to celebrate them this year.”

2026 Social Justice Honoree: Deval Patrick

Deval Patrick served as the first African American governor of Massachusetts from 2006 to 2015, dedicating his time in office to social equity, education, and economic development. Patrick led the expansion of affordable health care coverage to over 98% of state residents and championed public school funding. As Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under President Bill Clinton, Patrick tackled enforcement of fair housing, employment discrimination, and hate crime laws, and coordinated a federal investigation into the arsons of predominantly Black churches.

The former governor now serves as a Senior Partner at Vistria Group. He is a Hauser Leader at Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, and previously served as the David R. Gergen Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he was co-director of the Center for Public Leadership from 2022 to 2024. He is the founder and a former Managing Partner of Bain Capital Double Impact, a Rockefeller Fellow, a Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, and the author of two books.

“Deval Patrick’s career-long dedication to civil rights leadership speaks for itself – leading by example as Governor of Massachusetts, fighting for voting rights, prosecuting hate crimes, advocating for same-sex marriage equality, and carrying forward his long-standing dedication to impact through his work across multiple sectors. We are proud to honor his extraordinary commitment and achievements and continue to follow his lead,” said Turahn Dorsey, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation.

Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award Honoree: Just A Start and the Rindge Commons Partners
Recognizing that collective action, collaborations, and coalitions of partners across sectors working together to create innovative solutions are essential to strengthening communities, the award in its inaugural year was presented to Just A Start, a Cambridge-based nonprofit that expands opportunity and economic mobility for individuals and families in Cambridge, MA and Greater Boston’s Metro North region. The award is named after former Eastern Bank Foundation leader Nancy Huntington Stager, who during her 25 years leading the Foundation, redefined its focus, transforming it from a model of charitable giving to one of advancing economic inclusion and mobility through collaborative approaches across the communities Eastern serves.

Housing instability, limited access to workforce opportunities, and a lack of affordable early childhood education are interconnected barriers to economic mobility. Just A Start convened a cross-sector coalition to address them together, resulting in the Rindge Commons Economic Mobility Hub: a 70,000-square-foot mixed-use development that integrates affordable housing, workforce training, and early childhood education under one roof.

“We’re thrilled to announce the Collaborative Impact Award to honor the kind of partnership and cooperation that creates lasting social and systemic change in the communities we serve,” said Turahn Dorsey, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. “There is no more fitting first recipient than Just A Start and its partners. At the center of their work is colocation: the idea that housing, education, and workforce training are most effective when delivered together, in response to the full scope of a family’s needs. By combining all of the elements they have, these partners created a model none of them could have alone. Forging cross-sector partnerships to drive systemic change is exactly the effort and impact this award celebrates.”

Pictured at the 2026 Celebration of Social Justice are, left to right: Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank; Deval Patrick, 2026 Social Justice Award Honoree; and Turahn Dorsey, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. Photo Credit: Nathan Fontes-Fried

Hundreds of business, philanthropic and community leaders gathered to honor the outstanding contributions of the Eastern Bank Foundation 2026 Social Justice Award honoree, Massachusetts’ 71st Governor, Deval Patrick. The Celebration of Social Justice is an opportunity to recognize the people and organizations whose courage and persistence make our communities stronger. Pictured at the celebration are, left to right: John Yazwinski, President and CEO, Father Bill’s & MainSpring; Marie Kelly, Director, Office of Corporate Foundation and Donor Relations, Stonehill College; Maxine Depina, Resource Development Director, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions; Robert Corley, CEO, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions; and Doug Smith, Vice President for Advancement, Stonehill College. Photo Credit: Nathan Fontes-Fried

About Eastern Bank Foundation

Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank, supports grassroots community solutions and collaborates with community-led organizations working to build economic inclusion, mobility, and social justice in four focus areas: advancing equity in the small business ecosystem, enriching early childhood development, securing safe and affordable housing, and promoting workforce development. Because the roots of social and economic injustice run deep, we employ a variety of levers – including Philanthropy, Employee Volunteerism, and Collaboration – to strengthen the communities we serve. Learn more here.

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South Shore Conservatory Welcomes Eve Montague Back to Lead Creative Arts Therapies

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

South Shore Conservatory (SSC) is pleased to welcome Eve Montague, MSM, MT-BC, back to its Creative Arts Therapies Department as Creative Arts Therapies Program Manager.

For Montague, the role marks a return to a program she helped build. A board-certified music therapist with 4 decades of experience working with individuals of all ages and abilities, Montague established SSC’s Creative Arts Therapies Department and previously led the program for 13 years. During her tenure, she helped develop and champion programs that became hallmarks of SSC’s commitment to accessible arts experiences, including SSC Community Voices, Singing with Parkinson’s and SSC Memory Cafe.

“I’m so excited to have Eve Montague back at SSC as our Program Manager of Creative Arts Therapies,” said Todd Swavey, Director of Arts Education at South Shore Conservatory. “Eve is passionate, thoughtful and incredibly detail-oriented, and she’s such a wonderful resource for our faculty and our community. She brings so much knowledge and care to the work she does, and we’re really lucky to have her back on the team.”

SSC’s Creative Arts Therapies Department provides opportunities for individuals of varying ages and abilities to experience the arts in ways that support connection, communication, self-expression and overall well-being. Current offerings include individual music therapy, SSC Community Voices and Community Voices Too!, Percussion Commotion, SSC Memory Cafe, Community Jam and a songwriting series.

Montague brings extensive experience in clinical practice, program development, supervision, inclusion, access and accommodation. She earned her degree in music education from the University of Western Ontario, completed a music therapy equivalency at Western Michigan University and holds a Master of Science in Management from Emmanuel College. In addition to her clinical and nonprofit leadership experience, she is a professor of music therapy at Berklee College of Music and has taught and presented at academic institutions throughout the region.

Montague’s return comes at an important moment for SSC’s Creative Arts Therapies work as the Conservatory continues to expand awareness of programs designed to make meaningful arts experiences accessible to individuals throughout the South Shore.

“Music is the great equalizer,” Montague has said in describing the philosophy behind her work in music therapy. Throughout her career, that belief has shaped an approach centered on adapting the creative experience to the individual rather than asking the individual to adapt to it.

To learn more about South Shore Conservatory’s Creative Arts Therapies programs, visit sscmusic.org/cat.

South Shore Conservatory (SSC) is a community school for the arts on Boston's South Shore, welcoming individuals of all ages and abilities. With campuses in Hingham and Duxbury, SSC’s arts-based programs provide a creative path for a lifetime of learning, from childhood through adulthood, through outstanding faculty and nationally-celebrated programming in music instruction, ensembles, dance, early childhood education, creative arts therapies, performance, and community and school partnerships.

Press Release

TruNorth Bank to Host Two Free Shred Days

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
TruNorth Bank
Audrey Chechile
Marketing Communications Manager
O: 413.779.2267 | M: 518.944.4626

TruNorth Bank to Host Two Free Shred Days

Easthampton, Massachusetts, September 14, 2026 — TruNorth Bank invites customers and members of the community to two free Shred Days. The first will be on Saturday, September 19, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the bank’s 800 Chief Justice Cushing Highway location in Cohasset, MA, and the second will be held on September 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the bank’s 248 Andover Street location in Peabody, MA.

Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, cancelled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. Bay State Shredding, a professional document destruction company, will be on site and can accept up to two boxes of documents per car. No appointment is necessary.

About TruNorth Bank

Headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts, TruNorth Bank and its TruNorth Mortgage division have more than $6.9 billion in assets and offer consumer and business banking in 54 locations throughout Massachusetts, northeastern Connecticut, and southern New Hampshire. We’re proud to fulfill our community banking mission—providing individualized financial support, a suite of comprehensive products and services, and banking tools and technology—all to ensure our customers can unlock their potential and build a successful future.

Through our sponsorship and charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, TruNorth Bank supports non-profit organizations and causes throughout the communities we serve. In 2025 alone, we donated more than $2.2 million and over the last decade, more than $13 million. We were named a Corporate Citizenship Award winner by Boston Business Journal, reaffirming our status as one of Massachusetts’ most charitable companies.

As an employer of choice, we’ve been recognized nationally as a four-time USA TODAY Top Workplaces award winner, an America’s Best-in-State Bank by Forbes, and a top place to work by The Boston Globe. For more information, visit TruNorthBank.com.

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Digital Marketing Agency Brick Marketing to Exhibit at MedTech Conference in Boston

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:44:23 GMT

BOSTON, August 18, 2026 — Brick Marketing, a Boston digital marketing agency, will exhibit at The MedTech Conference from October 18 through October 21, 2026, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston. Hosted by AdvaMed, the four day conferenceDigital Marketing Agency Brick Marketing to Exhibit at MedTech Conference in Boston brings together leaders from across the global medical technology community for education, relationship building, and business development.

Conference attendees can meet the Brick Marketing team at Booth 637 to discuss practical ways to improve marketing performance, reach qualified audiences, communicate complex offerings, and support business growth. Event details and information about meeting Brick Marketing at the conference are available at:

https://www.brickmarketing.com/event/medtech-conference-boston

The MedTech Conference offers an important opportunity for medical device companies, health technology organizations, service providers, investors, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and form valuable connections. Brick Marketing will attend as a resource for organizations that need experienced marketing guidance and consistent implementation across search, content, advertising, social media, email, websites, and AI search.

“Medical technology companies often have sophisticated products, specialized audiences, and important stories that require clarity, credibility, and careful communication,” said Nick Stamoulis, President of Brick Marketing. “We are looking forward to meeting leaders at The MedTech Conference and learning about their goals. Our team helps organizations turn their expertise into marketing programs that improve visibility, generate qualified interest, achieve desired outcomes and give teams stronger marketing support.”

At Booth number 637, Brick Marketing representatives will speak with attendees about SEO strategy, AI SEO, Generative Engine Optimization, Answer Engine Optimization, content planning, paid advertising, social media management, email marketing, website development, marketing consulting, and fractional CMO support. Conversations can address a company’s current priorities, internal resources, sales process, target audiences, and opportunities for stronger coordination between marketing and business development.

Search behavior is changing as prospective buyers use both traditional search engines and AI platforms to research companies, products, technical topics, and potential partners. Brick Marketing helps businesses create clear website content, strengthen authority, improve technical foundations, and present consistent information that search engines and AI systems can understand. This work can support brand recognition, website traffic, inquiries, sales conversations, and inclusion in relevant AI responses.

For medtech organizations, effective marketing also depends on translating specialized knowledge into useful information for distinct audiences. Engineers, clinicians, procurement teams, executives, investors, distributors, and potential partners may each look for different evidence. A coordinated strategy can help a company explain its capabilities, publish credible educational content, showcase experience, answer common questions, and create useful paths from initial research to direct contact.

Brick Marketing combines planning with implementation. The agency begins by understanding business goals, marketing needs, sales objectives, current performance, and available resources. Its team can then develop and manage a customized program with defined priorities, measurable activity, and ongoing review. This approach allows clients to receive senior marketing guidance while also gaining the execution support needed to move approved work forward.

Attendees can discuss how public relations, executive thought leadership, case studies, service pages, technical articles, and company background content contribute to brand authority. Useful information helps prospective customers evaluate expertise while giving search and AI platforms context about the organization.

More information about Brick Marketing and its digital and AI marketing services is available at:

https://www.brickmarketing.com/
Organizations attending The MedTech Conference can use the event page to learn where to find Brick Marketing and plan a conversation with the team. Meetings at Booth 637 can focus on a specific marketing challenge, a broader growth objective, or the need for an experienced agency partner that can provide services, consulting, training, and implementation.

About Brick Marketing – Digital Marketing Agency

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Brick Marketing is a full service digital marketing agency serving companies throughout the United States. The agency brings marketing strategy and implementation together through SEO, AI search optimization, content marketing, paid advertising, social media management, email marketing, website development, marketing consulting, fractional CMO services, and training.

Brick Marketing has served more than 600 companies across a wide range of industries. Its team develops customized programs based on each client’s goals, audience, resources, sales process, and current marketing performance. The agency also publishes educational resources through webinars, a marketing newsletter, a company blog, and the Brick Marketing Live podcast.

Learn more about Brick Marketing at:

https://www.brickmarketing.com/about

Media Contact

Brick Marketing
101 Federal Street, Suite 1900
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
781 999 1222
info@brickmarketing.com