Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About
Email us your latest boast: pjstchamber@gmail.com

Pictured above center Kristin Winter, Branch Manager Flushing Bank Port Jefferson Station, flanked by Jennifer Dzvonar Ex. Director of PJS/T Chamber of Commerce, and Paul Perrone Pres. and members of PJS/T Chamber of Commerce. Photo credit Paula Mauro

Member of the Year Kristin Winter

Generous in spirit, a virtuoso with a spreadsheet and as considerate a person you’ll ever meet; our member of the year is Kristin Winter; long time member and Treasurer of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce. 

Branch manager of Flushing Bank in Port Jefferson Station, Kristin has been our secret weapon. She hears our chamber wish list, and balances it against the incoming and the outgoing, often managing the impossible. For over five years we have relied on her expertise, vision and skill. We never had to think twice about our budget, knowing Kristin was at the rudder.

Volunteering is not always easy, but Kristin managed our finances with grace.  She sought out efficient resources and cost saving options, magically kept us solvent as we awaited various grant reimbursements.  She could be counted on to give us the affirmative, and a, ‘Yes we can’, as we started new projects for our members.

 Kristin has also been co-chair of the springtime HOP film fundraiser at our antique train car, and served every year transforming the traincar into the Polar Express, running the film event dozens of times annually.  She filled the theater with private groups and found us our first ‘Santa’ for the film’s surprise ending.  Her enthusiasm for transforming the interior of the car at christmastime was contagious. Kristin helped grow our membership.

She has been instrumental at our Free Summer Concerts, connecting us with food truck vendors. She is dependable and efficient, making sure all our musicians, vendors, and all off site venues are paid in full and on time.  

We are eternally grateful to Kristin for her service, support and her friendship.

Member Spotlight

Opening Doors, Delivering Dreams
by Joan Nickeson

As the first furniture bank on Long Island, Open Door Exchange connects donated furniture at no cost to individuals and families in crisis or transition. They believe furniture is essential to building a safe and comfortable home.

Created in 2015 as an outreach mission of the Setauket Presbyterian Church, they are becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a warehouse and a full-fledged volunteer crew. “Volunteer recruitment is ongoing. Adults with energy who want to assist us are encouraged to call,” Ryan added. As an all-volunteer chamber, we understand.

Ryan was a guest presenter at the Earth Day themed member meeting. While helping people create healthy homes, ODE has kept 1.2 million pounds of furniture out of the Brookhaven landfill.

They are now an official PaintCare drop-off location. Used paint cans can be recycled, and partially full cans are reused to support families moving into new homes.

It is always a good time to do the right thing. Assess your home, office, and garage.

Contact ODE at opendoorexchange.org or call 631-743-6903 for more information about donations, services volunteering and trivia!