Send news about your local business to MWBusiness@wickedlocal.com. We're interested in news about business people, expansions, openings and community involvement by MetroWest businesses and business people. Follow Daily News Business Editor Bob Tremblay on Twitter @Bob Tremblay_MW.

Hannaford Helps Schools celebrates 20 years of giving back

Hannaford Supermarkets announced the return of its Hannaford Helps Schools program for its 20th season. Now through Nov. 30, shoppers can help local schools meet fundraising goals by purchasing specially marked items in Hannaford stores, including in Marlborough, Waltham, Clinton and Uxbridge. Each store features more than 1,500 eligible products on its shelves. For every four participating products purchased, a shopper will receive three School Dollars that they can then donate in-store to the school of their choice. Additionally, Hannaford will award $1,000 to the school that raises the most funds in each community. Money raised will support needs designated by individual schools, including things like new computers, musical instruments, sports gear, field trips or playground equipment. In its 20 years, Hannaford Helps Schools has raised more than $12 million for schools in New England and New York.

The Shops at Chestnut Hill to host Halloween-themed Disney Junior Play Date

The Shops at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston St., will host a Halloween-themed Disney Junior Play Date from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24. The event will feature activities inspired by some of Disney Junior's television series including Vampirina, Puppy Dog Pals and TOTS. Attendees can come dressed in a Halloween costume and experience Disney Junior Halloween-themed arts and crafts, photo fun with Halloween props, a dance party with DJ Katie and visit with the Newton Police Department on-site handing out Halloween candy. Families will be able to participate in various activities including a craft project to create their own Disney Junior character mask and a Halloween-themed photo booth. This event does not include live character appearances.

Solect Energy installs solar energy system at Daniel L. Joyce Middle School

Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin announced Solect Energy has completed the installation of a 300-kilowatt DC solar energy system on the roof of the Daniel L. Joyce Middle School at 55 Locust St., Woburn. The 798-panel system will reduce the schools price per kilowatt-hour for electricity by 64%, saving about $29,000 in the first year. Over the life of the contract, electric bill savings are projected to be at least $500,000, based on current Eversource electricity rates. If the utilitys rates rise, the savings to the school increase. The renewable energy system will reduce air pollution by avoiding the emission of 580,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air per year. Over 20 years, the avoided CO2 emissions equate to that of driving a car 13,450,000 miles. The Joyce Middle School solar energy system is the first of three the city is installing on local schools with Solect Energy, under the PowerOptions consortium program. Solar panels will also be installed on the Hurld-Wyman Elementary School and the Goodyear Elementary School. The solar panels will produce clean energy, which will be used right at the site to power the schools. Solect Energy and PowerOptions have reduced energy costs for more than 60 government agencies, cities, towns, schools and nonprofits across Massachusetts.

RAIN Group to host webinar

Framingham-based RAIN Group, a global sales training and performance improvement company, announced it will host a complimentary webinar, How to Inspire Buyers with Ideas, Differentiate, and Win Sales, at 11 a.m. Oct. 24. In this webinar, RAIN Groups President Mike Schultz will reveal the keys to inspiring buyers with new ideas. Attendees will learn five key elements of a Convincing Story that intrigues buyers and shapes their thinking; how to redefine buyer needs, position themselves as a valuable adviser and differentiate; how to help buyers make sense of their challenges in new ways and ignite their desire to take different action; the two types of insights and how to use them in conversations; and three keys to inspiring buyers with ideas that matter to them Register for the webinar at https://raingrp.com/InspiringWithIdeasWebinar.

MetroWest Chamber, Essential Dermatology to hold ribbon-cutting

The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce and Essential Dermatology, Suite 201, 220 N. Main St., Natick, will hold a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Oct. 22. Light refreshments will be served. For information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/33ENBqv.

Read more from the original source:
Five items on area businesses for Oct. 19, 2019 - News - MetroWest Daily News