Business Briefs

Dwayne Gethard, a senior claims adjuster with Allstate New Jersey, working out of the company’s claims facility in Howell, recently donated some of his free time to help with a relief effort for people in Captiva Island, Fla. People in the island community off the Florida coast are still reeling from this year’s series of hurricanes that struck the Sunshine State.

Gethard, who is also a volunteer firefighter with the Toms River Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, was one of the lead organizers of an effort to collect supplies for the hurricane victims. Through the role being played by Gethard, Allstate New Jersey supported his effort with a financial donation.

Gethard also pointed out that Florida fire companies suffered property damage to their buildings and lost some of thier fire and rescue equipment. So, part of the relief help also focused on equipment for the firefighters. A few weeks ago William Byrnes, a member of the Toms River company who has a winter residence in that region, traveled to Florida to loan the firefighters fire and rescue equipment to help with their immediate rescue efforts.

Commerce Bank has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) top lender in New Jersey during the agency’s fiscal year 2004. This marks the second consecutive year that

Commerce Bank has received this honor. The Cherry Hill-based bank was cited for approving 479 SBA loans for $137.3 million to New Jersey small business owners in 2004.

For its efforts, Commerce Bank received SBA’s Diamond Award at the SBA’s Annual Lenders’ Awards Ceremony held at the Newark Club in downtown Newark. This year’s ceremony was sponsored by Coastal Securities.

In addition to receiving SBA’s Diamond Award, Commerce Bank received District Director Awards for the Number One Participating Lender in the SBA’s 504 Loan Program, Number One Lender in International Trade Loans, and Number One Lender in Veteran-Owned Business Loans.

Kimball Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in CT Scan as a result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are considered to be experts in their field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of facility equipment and then report their findings to the ACR’s Committee on Accreditation.

Kimball Medical Center also maintains ACR accreditation for ultrasound and its vascular lab. Mammography services at Kimball are accredited by the ACR and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Mammography Quality Standards Act.

Jean Pauciello, owner and manager of When Details Count LLC, recently completed the requirements for Cruise Lines International Association’s Cruise Counselor Certification Program. Pauciello is now recognized by the cruise industry as an accredited cruise counselor. In achieving Cruise Counselor Certification, Pauciello has made a significant effort to learn all aspects of the cruise vacation experience through extensive classroom training and personal cruise product involvement. When Details Count is one of more than 22,000 travel businesses across North America that is affiliated with Cruise Lines International Association.

Starbucks is sponsoring its fifth annual Holiday Angels Joy Drive to benefit the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. Through Dec. 25, customers can donate gifts for seriously ill children served by the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation at all Starbucks retail locations in the tri-state area. Customers are invited to drop off new, unwrapped books and toys at local Starbucks stores. Recommended gifts include books, board games, puzzles, hand-hold games (including batteries), craft its, building toys, DVDs, compact discs, dolls and infant items. Customers who wish to make a financial donation can visit Starbucks.com or slsb.org. Donated toys will be distributed to local hospitals or to hospitals that are a part of Starlight Starbright’s network of medical facilities in North America.