Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award Nominee, Kathy Selvia

From "Counselor" magazine, January 2007, Vol. 54, page 70:

"Considering that New England Promotional Marketing (asi/279381) of Wilbraham, MA, is located in a former church, it’s not surprising that the business has a deep commitment to charity and its local community. “We’ve been here nine years and there’s a feeling of peace and tranquility,” says owner Kathy Selvia of her 110-year-old white clapboard chapel.

"It’s that feeling combined with owner Selvia’s readiness to help that has led so many groups to NEPM’s door. “I think it’s important for small businesses to be involved in the community,” says Selvia. Referencing the consolidation of many companies, she asks, “If small businesses start saying ‘no,’ who will help these organizations?”

"Answering the call has taken many forms over the years for the NEPM family. “We very seldom throw anything out,” Selvia says. Her company regularly gives old samples to the elderly at the local nursing home, and each fall the NEPM staff fills up boxes of overstock supplies for teachers at area schools. Recently, a client discontinued a logo, rendering the 1,000 remaining branded t-shirts NEPM had in stock unuseable. The ever-resourceful distributor shipped the shirts to a Veteran’s Affairs hospital in Bethesda, MD, for wear during physical therapy.

"Selvia herself serves on numerous boards including her local chamber of commerce and that of her favorite charity, the Children’s Study Home, which serves at-risk youth and families. She is also a founding corporator of the Association for Community Living that promotes dignified community living for those with developmental disabilities and their families. “I happen to be a real softie,” she says with a laugh.

"Not to be outdone, the NEPM’s staff of about 50 has formed their own walking group for the American Heart Association. Each holiday season they sponsor 20 children at the Children’s Study Home. All of their hard work, while rewarding in its own right, has not gone unnoticed by NEPM clients. The company was named one of the top 100 woman-led businesses in Massachusetts by the Commonwealth Institute and last year it qualified for Counselor’s Multimillion-Dollar Roundtable. “Companies small or large like to know that they’re working with someone who gives back to the community,” says Selvia."