Chamber honors Barb Merritt as Volunteer of the Month

 The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honors Barb Merritt as April’s Volunteer of the Month for her service to our community. Barb is a full-time volunteer with a passion for making a difference which runs through every vein in her body. 

Barb was born in Pocatello, Idaho, lived in Sandpoint as a child, and relocated back to Sandpoint in 1996 after spending much of her life in California working in the Title Insurance industry. Since moving back to Sandpoint, she has found a calling in doing more than Title Insurance work by volunteering a majority of her time with many local organizations. From the Chamber Ambassador program to the Special Winter Olympics, she’s touched a lot of people.

The many nonprofits she is a longtime volunteer for includes, but is not exclusive to: Kinderhaven, Habitat For Humanity, Bird Aviation Museum, Women Honoring Women, Pandhandle Animal Shelter, Lost In The ’50s, Special Winter Olympics, Friends of Memorial Field and Children’s Healing Hospital.

In October of 2011, Barb was given the Community Star award from Panhandle State Bank because she is an outstanding Bonner County resident. Current Mayor Marsha Ogilvie has this to say of Barb after the Community Star was awarded, “Barb has touch so many lives and has made an incredible difference. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this honor more than she.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Barb Merritt in being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking her for all of her contributions to our community. Her hard work has done a lot for so many causes in our community. Thank you Barb!

Photo: Barb Merritt is honored with the Volunteer of the Month award by Chamber Board Member Barb Schriber.

Greater Sandpoint Chamber welcomes Northwest MedStar

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Northwest MedStar to the Chamber. Based out of Spokane, WA Northwest MedStar serves the entire region including the Sandpoint, northern Idaho and eastern Washington area. They have done so for almost two decades and promise that northing has or ever will change.

Northwest MedStar provides critical care transport services and is a vital part of our region’s emergency response system. Each year more than 3,500 critically ill or injured patients are transported by NW MedStar’s fixed wing, helicopter or ground ambulances from bases in Spokane, Moses Lake and Tri-Cities. 

NW MedStar provides more than just fast transport. With their Registered Nurses, Registered Respiratory Therapists and specialty perinatal/pediatric flight team, NW MedStar provides a level of care that is similar to the receiving critical care or specialty care unit at a major medical center. Their teams work with care providers to care for pediatric, newborns, new moms, cardiac, trauma, stroke and other patients ensuring the best possible outcomes. Patients are moved fast and their care remains continuous and uninterrupted.

In an emergency the last thing you want to think about is the bill. NW MedStar Membership provides peace of mind knowing your flight will not create extra financial hardship if you or your family ever become ill or seriously injured and need to be flown. Membership benefits cover any out of pocket costs for transport. It includes you, your spouse or domestic partner, as well as family members claimed on income tax and is affordable. The cost per family is $59 for one year or $150 for three years. Thanks to reciprocal agreements, your NW MedStar membership will also be honored for air transport by several other critical care air transport partner programs through the western United States through its participation in the Association of Air Medical Membership Programs (AAMMP), a collaboration of non-profit critical care transport providers. Membership discounts are available for business groups of 10 or more.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes Northwest MedStar continued success and thanks them for their services to our area. Visit www.nwmedstar.org for more information about Northwest MedStar’s services or membership, or call their membership office at (855) 856-4687. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

In Photo: Northwest MedStar cuts the ribbon at the Chamber’s April General Membership Luncheon with Chamber staff, Board Members and Ambassadors.

Greater Sandpoint Chamber welcomes Exercise Institute

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recently welcomes the Exercise Institute. Located inside of 360 Fit club, 606 N. 5th Ave, the Exercise Institute is ideal for busy professionals and is even specialized for those over 40 years old who want great results, more safely, in less time. With more than 500,000 personal training sessions of experience, they have refined their programs and services for more than 15 years now.

Founder, Michael Teater, started Exercise Institute in 1995 has personally supervised over 100,000 personal training sessions. He has grown the company to four locations with Sandpoint being their newest addition to their family. He is a 1991 graduate of the University of Idaho with a B.S. major emphasis in Corporate Wellness and Athletic Training. Additionally, he has minors in Nutrition, Coaching, and Physical Education and has three personal trainer Certifications.

 What sets them apart from the competition? It is a total body, zero momentum high-intensity, resistance workout that takes about 15 minutes, one or two times per week. This workout method couples the latest in engineering technology of equipment design and the most recent, up-to-date research involving exercise physiology. All movements are performed under a controlled zero-momentum tension. It is a technique that is safer and more effective.

This method of exercise is the only one that addresses all 6 main health categories: 1) Strength, endurance, stamina 2) Cardiovascular efficiency 3) Enhanced flexibility 4) Bone density 5) Fat loss 6) Resistance to injury and illness.

 “Our exercise facility is designed with all private rooms, along with a qualified & educated professional instructor,” explained Teater. “Our Grand Opening Special until May 1st is get 40% off any program purchased or test drive us first with a free consultation plus two free personal training sessions.”

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes the Exercise Institute success in our community. Visit www.exerciseinstitute.com for more information about the Exercise Institute’s services, call them at 208-263-7271 or email them at sandpointinfo@exerciseinstitute.com. Like them on Facebook.

In Photo: Spirit Marley, Exercise Institute Instructor, cuts the ribbon with the Chamber Ambassadors.