News & Events
Volunteer Recognition Award
March 03, 2007
LAUREL MOUNTAIN BASKET COMPANY:
A small business making a big difference in the community.
By Stacey Fonseca, Staff Writer,
Info@westernmassbusinesswoman.com (reprinted from Western Mass Business Woman Vol II, Issue II)
Ever feel like a basket case when it comes to gift giving? Marie Lisewski, owner of Laurel Mountain Basket Company in Easthampton, has just the remedy.Voted Best in the Valley in 2005 and 2006, Lisewski has won national awards for excellence in gift basket design and, in the process, finds ways to give back to her community.
Celebrating a birthday and need a gift for that impossible-to-please person? Popular birthday treats include the Breakfast Basket, filled with New England jam, assorted drink mixes, chocolates and coffee.
Know a dog that needs a pick-me-up? Why not send the pet pooch a Spoiled Rotten Dog basket, which also benefits F.A.C.E.S. Inc., a volunteer based, non-profit organization in West Springfield, (MA) providing help and rescue programs for dogs. “We donate $5 dollars for every
Spoiled Rotten Dog basket,” Lisewski said. “As a dog lover, it’s something that means a lot to me.”
That’s why when Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society sent out their newsletter with a “wish list” of much needed supplies, Lisewski knew she had to help. She gathered everything she could from the list and sent them right over.
“If I hear someone say there is a need for something,” she said, “I do what I can to fill that need.” That’s why any time one of her Chris Moose baskets is purchased, a portion of the proceeds is donated to the Hampshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Lisewski feels that giving back to the community isn’t something she has to do, it’s something she wants to do. She also participates in many community programs such as the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce where she serves on the Board as a Director. Additionally, she is a member of BNI, an international referral and mentoring organization.
“If I had more time, I’d be more places,” she said.
Lisewski recently joined together with other area businesses at the Marketplace at Eastworks to bring outside vendors into the building to showcase their work to the public, an event which is held annually around the holidays. “We brought in candle makers, soap makers and stained glass businesses,” she said.
This year the Eastworks’ businesses stepped it up a notch and invited a number of area non-profit agencies such as The Red Cross and Animal Rescue Services. Any donations received during the events were given to the Easthampton Library. “These are the little things I do, which don’t take up a lot of time,” she said. “And if everyone did just a little,” she said. “It would really make a difference.” For more information call 413-527-1243.
