Start your New Year right ...

Some wait for Spring to do their deep cleaning. Since Florida doesn't have the traditional seasons, we got started this week! What has made the most difference for us is getting rid of stuff we no longer use or need.

Rather than letting perfectly good items go to waste, we always donate what is in good condition. Here are some of our favorite resources:

Furniture and household goods:

Manatee Habitat for Humanity 355-7082

Sarasota Habitat for Humanity 363-0777

South Sarasota Habitat 493-0529

Food:

All Faiths Food Bank (Sarasota) 379-6333

Food Bank of Manatee 747-FOOD (3662)

Clothing:

Goodwill 351-8945 (for home pick-up)

Salvation Army 1-800-958-7825

Of course there are many other places that welcome your donations and you may have your favorites already established. But if you have not, please look into these or do your own research because the charities who receive donations can turn the proceeds of sales into life-changing intervention programs.

Not only will you enjoy the benefits of cleaning out and making a fresh start in 2012 but also local nonprofits will be able to reach more families in need and do more good.

Got change?

Recent survey data we saw today showed that in 2011, 61% of moves in 2011 were for "life stage reasons." Our clientele definitely reflect this trend - getting married, having children, children moving out, job-related relocation and retirement - are common among the people we move.

No wonder moving can be so stressful! People are not only dealing with the logistics of the move but also these BIG life changes. No matter how joyful or welcome they may be, stress always accompanies change on this scale.

Add to it moving during the Holidays and WOW! So if you or someone you know is going through this all at once - moving, the holidays and a big life change - we welcome the chance to make at least one area of your or their life less stressful: the move!

Making the Better Business Council Directory STRONGER

Just wanted to share the Bradenton Herald's Better Business Council Directory with everyone today.  Check the "Movers" category and you'll find us there with some of our colleagues in the moving business:

Better Business Council Directory - Your 2011 Official Guide to Better Business (Bradenton Herald)

Thank you to the Manatee Chamber and Bradenton Herald for getting the word out in the community. 

What is the Better Business Council? As the article explains: "Members of the BBC agree to certain terms and conditions including clarification and confirmation of required licensing and proper insurance.  In addition, they must agree to respond to formal complaints filed through the Better Business Council and make every effort to resolve conflicts in a reasonable, prompt manner outlined by the BBC."

We're proud to be entering our 3rd year as both Chamber and BBC members.

Happy New Year from Stronger!

We are proud to bring you even better customer service, more options and lower prices all the time.  Since we were founded in June of 2008, we have expanded to offer:

• increased staff capacity to do larger and more complicated jobs
• new and improved equipment to better meet your moving needs
• experience working as a team to better serve you
• giving back through donations to worthy social service organizations
  
• office location for client consultations
• secure storage at low rates
  

Coming soon this year from Stronger Moving & Delivery Service, you will soon see:

• Stronger video series giving tips and how-to knowledge about packing
• improved technology systems to ensure more efficient operations
• welcome packets for clients new to Florida or relocating within Florida municipalities
• assistance with sending packages to Latin America

Happy New Year - and New Decade - to you and your family from Stronger!  We look forward to providing the best service to our clients in 2010!

Stronger just got ... BETTER!!

We are proud to report that we are now members of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to joining the Chamber, we took the extra step of getting certified in the Chamber's Better Business Council.