Vilonia chamber members offered 'freebies'

Vilonia Discounts and freebies are being used as recruitment draws to the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber has launched a membership drive, and literature is to be sent to the current membership as well as to the potential members informing them of a variety of benefits including group heath insurance rates, reduced membership rates to Air Evac Lifeteam, ambulance service and cards that may provide them with discounted prescription drugs.

"These are all good benefits to the community," Joe Maxwell, chamber president, said Monday night.

The board approved mailing out an overview of all the latest benefits. It was said the board was recently made aware of the Arkansas Drug Card Program. And, they approved paying for printing and distributing about 2,500 of the "free" discount prescription drug cards. It was said there are no income restrictions, age limits and no applications to fill out to receive them. According to the state Web site, residents may receive savings of up to 75 percent (savings average around 30 percent) at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies. Participating pharmacies include Fred's, Walgreens, Kmart, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies.

Two speakers also addressed chamber members concerning benefits and agreed to provide materials to be placed in the mailings detailing their offerings. Sue Shock of Shock Insurance in Vilonia, spoke concerning the Chamber Alliance Program that the chamber has been a member for a couple of months, which allows members to apply for group health rates through Qual-Choice at a reduced rate.

Jamie Eatmon of the Air Evac Lifeteam in Vilonia, addressed the group offering membership to the air ambulance service at a reduced rate. The air ambulance service based in Vilonia, he said, is one of nine bases in the state. He provided an overview of the services provided.

"Every square inch of the state can be covered within 20 minutes of one of our helicopters being put in the air," he said. Also, he said, the helicopter service, which is equipped with a critical care registered nurse and paramedic, can "overfly" smaller hospitals to get those in need to "hospitals where they can be treated."

"It's a good thing," he offered.

The cost of an air flight service, he said, can be costly, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 per flight. However, he said, a membership to the air service prevents such a bill. The regular membership rate is $55 per year for a two-member household. Chamber members, under a recent agreement, are being offered a $10 discount, Eatmon said.

As well, he encouraged those in attendance to watch for a "nice, new" helicopter to be placed at the Vilonia base within the next three months or so.

In other business:

Laura McNeel, chamber executive officer, encouraged the membership to begin thinking about the annual banquet set for the first Saturday in February. Potential names for the guest speaker, she said, should be submitted. In turn, a couple of names were mentioned. She asked that suggestions for a speaker be e-mailed to her at laura_mcneel@hotmail.com.

Reports included:

The Vilonia Royalty Pageant brought in $3,613 with a profit of $1,909.19. Of that, $1,000 will go into a sign account designated to place entry signs into Vilonia.

The 27 booths sold at the Vilonia Fest provided the chamber a profit of $1,200. Also, Snow cone sales brought in $162.50.

Gentle Hands and Promise Ministries were announced as being new members. As well, it was said that Lane Dentistry renewed a membership.