USA Luge announced a new partnership with Sitka^® Creations, LLC, a graphic design studio providing clients with creative and effective graphic and web design, and visual communication services, making Sitka Creations the official marketing partner for the organization.

Founded by Tamar Russell Brown in 2002, Sitka Creations was first opened in Rockland, Maine with Russell Brown and a few freelance staff. Over the years, the business has expanded to locations in Martha’s Vineyard, New York City, and Leominster, Massachusetts. The business is currently based in Shirley, Massachusetts.

“While we were only recently introduced to USA Luge, our team at Sitka Creations was quickly embraced by the USA Luge family,” said Russell Brown. “We are proud to support the organization and its hardworking athletes with our expertise and knowledge in marketing and social media and look forward to sharing the journey toward the 2026 Games with the athletes, staff and fans.”

The partnership includes working to enhance USA Luge’s social media presence as well as offering the organization with a consistent look and voice as the 2026 Olympics approach.

“USA Luge is responsible for recruiting, developing, training, and supporting athletes to represent the United States at all levels of competition, including the Olympic Games. Most of our resources go to making the athletes and their sleds go as fast as possible and we operate very lean on the marketing side,” said Gordy Sheer, 1998 Olympic silver medalist and director, marketing and sponsorship, USA Luge. “Aside from creating visual templates for social media posts, creating posts, working with USA Luge on a monthly posting schedule, the Sitka Creations team also provided much-needed guidance. In short, they serve as an additional staff member and have fully (and easily) integrated themselves into our operations for which we are most grateful.”

The nine-circuit World Cup season will kick-off in Lillehammer, Norway on November 29-December 1, 2024, with the 53^rd World Championships scheduled for February 6-8, 2025, on the 2010 Olympic track in Whistler, British Columbia.

This year’s Leominster Cleanup will kick off on Monday April 22, which is Earth Day, and will run through Wednesday May 22. Volunteers can pick their time, pick their location, and pick up some trash. We will be giving out supplies, including t-shirts, trash bags, and gloves (while supplies last) at Leominster City Hall starting April 16.

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring this event can confirm their interest to Melissa Tasca at through Tuesday March 19. A $100 sponsorship puts their logo on the back of the t-shirt distributed to the first 150 volunteers.

Fidelity Bank announced its 2023 LifeDesign Community Dividend completed the year with a record of nearly $500,000 donated to more than 250 organizations, events, and charitable endeavors throughout the communities the bank serves in Central and Eastern Massachusetts.

The LifeDesign Community Dividend provides funding to support local nonprofit organizations that directly impact and benefit the communities in Fidelity Bank service areas. Eligible programs include those that support inclusion and diversity, culture and arts, elder services, and youth programming, among others.

“These community investments are at the core of Fidelity’s LifeDesign banking brand promise,” said Ed Manzi Jr., chairman and CEO, Fidelity Bank. “Focusing on care, clarity and confidence, our Community Dividend supports the communities that support us, while also providing funding to ensure organizations continue providing important services needed to help our communities thrive.”

Organizations receiving contributions in 2023 included the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster & Gardner, City of Gardner’s 100^th Anniversary, Ginny’s Helping Hand and Food Pantry, Girls Inc. of Worcester, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Needham Education Foundation, Shine Initiative, and the Spanish American Community Center, to name a few.

“The funds we received were immensely helpful, particularly as we embarked on a collaboration with the Needham Public Schools to bring transformative change to the district through equity-centered professional learning for their educators and administrators, in addition to the grants we fund for innovative educational programs in the schools,” said Sarah Winig, administrative director, Needham Education Foundation.

In addition to the many deserving organizations who received support through the Bank’s LifeDesign Community Dividend, more than 18,000 area residents received sweet treats from Fidelity’s Frosty Flyer ice cream truck last summer at over 100 local community and non-profit events, and banking center locations. Fidelity Bank colleagues also got involved with outreach in their communities by participating in more than 150 Random Acts of Care, including delivering meals to first responders in the days following the Leominster floods, donating supplies to animal shelters, purchasing backpacks and supplies for local youth, and donating winter hats and mittens to organizations serving the homeless.

“We love the communities we serve,” added Manzi. “It is truly a privilege to support community initiatives that help others, particularly in the areas where Fidelity Team Members live and work. It is a total team effort, done with true intention and gratitude.”

Since the program was renamed in 2013, the Fidelity LifeDesign Community Dividend has committed approximately $3.6 million to organizations in Central and Eastern Massachusetts.