Roundup of Good Deeds and Business News

Westhartford.patch.com has been "live" for five weeks now, and we really appreciate the feedback and participation that our readers have provided. Keep on sending me your press releases and story ideas!

From time to time I will put together a column that rounds up all of the miscellaneous news bits I've received. These might be unrelated items – but are all accomplishments or good deeds definitely worth mentioning.

George Chappell, communications officer for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, reported that his organization donated $3,000 to West Hartford's food pantry.

For the fifth year in a row, Jody Ferrer, West Hartford resident and owner of The Perfect Promotion, donated a percentage of October sales to Hartford Hospital's Partnership for Breast Care in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. "So many people's lives have been affected by breast cancer and I am determined to do everything I can to support a cure and to help care for the women and families in these challenging circumstances," said Ferrer, who lost her mother to breast cancer.

The Perfect Promotion also collaborated with the Partnership for Breast Care at Hartford Hospital to provide post-mastectomy care kits for patients. The company produced several of the items in the kit, which includes specially made pillows and bed jackets, lip balm, emery board, notebook and pen, educational materials, cookbook, and more.

Ava Grace, who also works for Patch.com, reported that her daughter's 3^rd grade Brownie troop at recently teamed up with the Girl Scouts at the school for a book drive. The girls collected new and gently used books for the Covenant to Care. "In one month this little group of girls and great group of troop leaders raised over 6,000 books. To celebrate they then had a PJ party and asked all the kids who came to bring a new pair of PJ's to donate to this same group," Grace said.

In business news, Filomeno & Company reported that Kathy Athorne, CPA, recently joined their audit practice. According to a press release, Athorne brings ten years experience to the firm's audit practice.  Most recently, Athorne served as a CPA at a Hartford area firm where she was responsible for accounting and general taxation, financial statement reporting, consulting, accounting policies and procedures, training and supervision, budgeting, scheduling and business process improvements.

"We are pleased to welcome Kathy to our growing audit practice," said George Thomson, Director of Accounting and Auditing Services for Filomeno & Company.  "We are confident that her skills and experience will be a great asset to our firm and our clients."

Carl R. Johnson, managing partner of BlumShapiro announced the election of Rick C. Parmelee, CPA, and Anthony J. Switajewski, CPA, as new partners of the firm, effective Jan. 1.

According to a press release, Parmelee joined BlumShapiro in 2002 as a member of the firm's accounting and audit practice. He services the firm's automobile dealer and employee benefit plan clients. He also serves as one of BlumShapiro's representatives to AutoTeam America (ATA), where he recently completed a three year term as the chair of the accounting and audit committee.

Switajewski joined BlumShapiro in 2004 as a member of the firm's tax practice and was promoted to Tax Principal in 2008. He currently specializes in multi-state tax consulting and planning for the firm's business and individual clients. Switajewski is also the chairperson of BlumShapiro network partner Baker Tilly International's State and Local Tax Committee. Before joining BlumShapiro, Switajewski worked for over 20 years within the "Big Four" accounting firms, specializing in both federal and multi-state taxation.