Amanda Church Special Olympics World Games Training Update (April 2015)

Amanda Church_Olympia MovingOlympia Moving’s sponsored athlete, Amanda Church, is training hard for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. She was kind enough to send us an update on her progress. You’re crushing it, Amanda! We’re so proud of you and your training achievements!

Amanda’s Training Update: April 12th

Current Event Times:

Event Current Time
100 Breaststroke 2:04.00
100 Freestyle 2:29.00
200 Breaststroke 4:32.00

“Today I went to the YMCA in Easton to get some training in. I have set goal times for each of my events:”

  • 100 Breast Stroke goal time: 2:00.00
  • 100 Freestyle goal time: 2:20.00
  • 200 Breast Stroke goal time: 4:20.00

“Besides getting ready for Summer Games and World Games, The Life Program is having family week coming up the first weekend in May. I am going to be giving a speech about both of my experiences at life and Special Olympics.”

Amanda’s Training Update: April 30th

Current Event Times:

Event Current Time
100 Breaststroke 2:06.00
100 Freestyle 2:19.00
200 Breaststroke 4:29.00

“Today was my Swim Qualifier at Bridgewater State University. I competed in 3 out of my 4 events.  I even beat my goal time in the 100 Meter Freestyle . My goal was 2:20.00 and I did it with a time of 2:19.00.  I also competed in the 200 Breaststroke and the 100 Breaststroke.  I got a Gold Medal in both my 200 and 100 Meter Breaststroke, and a Silver in my 100 Meter Freestyle. I am ready to keep training for State Games in June, and World Games.”

“Another exciting thing that is coming up in my life is my brother Jared is getting married in October in California. I am very much excited to have another soon to be sister in law.”

Way to go, Amanda, on your medals and wins!  Read more about our sponsorship of Amanda.  

Olympia Driver Roberto Belony is Wheaton’s Driver of the Month!

Driver of the Month_BelonyA big congrats to Olympia Moving & Storage driver Roberto Belony! He has been selected among hundreds of drivers as Wheaton World Wide’s April 2015 driver of the month! Roberto is being recognized as the best among Wheaton’s intermittent fleet.

Roberto has been working with Olympia for 7 years and has been driving with Wheaton since 2009. He is a top-rated driver and this is his first driver of the month award. In his years working with Olympia, Roberto has become known for his dedication and high spirits and happy nature, no matter how tough or long the move. Roberto’s extensive experience shows in the way he handles every move.

These qualities are exemplified in a comment we received from a client Roberto moved interstate from Chelmsford, MA to Hubbard Lake, MI earlier this year:

“Roberto and his crew at our house in Chelmsford worked very hard and diligently packing and loading the truck and deserve to be recognized for a hard job done very well. They were very professional and courteous under a difficult situation….Just a few days after the 30 inch blizzard.

At the Michigan end of things …again Roberto and his Michigan crew did a marvelous job unloading the truck and relocating our furniture into our new home. I cannot say enough about the wonderful job Roberto did at both ends of the move. All of our “”Stuff”” arrived intact and we have found nothing broken or missing. At the Michigan end we are in a fairly remote location and it would be difficult for anyone unfamiliar with this area to find our house but Roberto did it contending with weather and unpaved roads.
He should be recognized for a job well done…..!!!”

Thank you, Roberto, for all you do to give Olympia Moving & Storage’s clients an exceptional relocation experience!

Roberto will receive a cash award, plaque, Driver of the Month uniform patches and equipment decals. Roberto is also now a nominee for 2015 Driver of the Year.

Roberto is one of Olympia Moving & Storage’s trained moving professionals. Olympia’s team has won several awards with Wheaton World Wide. Olympia driver Lucian Tistu also won the driver of the month recognition in 2014, and Olympia Moving won their highest honor in 2013, Agent of the Year.

Click here to read the official press release.

Sponsor of Special Olympics World Games Athlete Amanda Church

IMG_0965Olympia Moving & Storage is proud to announce their sponsorship of Special Olympics World Games athlete Amanda Church. Special Olympics World Games, which will take place in Los Angeles beginning July 25th, will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2015. Amanda will be one of 7,000 athletes from 177 countries competing in the Games, and one of only 7 athletes representing Massachusetts. She will be representing team USA in two aquatics events: breaststroke & freestyle.

The Boston moving company’s sponsorship of $5,000 will help cover Amanda’s training and travel expenses. As part of the sponsorship, the company will be cheering Amanda on at her competitions leading up to the games, and reporting on her training progress on olympiamoving.com and Olympia’s Facebook page.

Olympia Moving & Storage has been the official logistics sponsor of Special Olympics Massachusetts since 2013. Last year, the company’s fundraising and donated logistics services for Special Olympics competitions exceeded $50,000. While planning for the company’s 2015 sponsorship, Olympia Moving inquired if there was any way they could assist with the upcoming World Games.

Olympia Moving President Michael Gilmartin presenting Amanda Church with her sponsorship check
Olympia Moving President Michael Gilmartin presenting Amanda Church with her sponsorship check

The Boston moving company was immediately impressed by Amanda’s accomplishments. She has won many gold medals since she began competing with Special Olympics in 1998 and was inducted into the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Amanda lives independently with the LIFE program and has held jobs as a receptionist and Special Olympics intern.

This is a dream come true for me as I’ve wanted to compete in World Games for a long time. With the help of my coaches I know I will be ready to swim for the gold this summer,” says Amanda Church. “Special Olympics Massachusetts is honored to have sponsors like Olympia Moving.”

Be sure to watch this blog for updates on Amanda’s training as she prepares for the Games!

You can learn more about Olympia Moving & Storage’s work with Special Olympics at http://www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Click here to read the official press release

Guide To Moving Wine

moving wineAre you a wine enthusiast preparing for a relocation? Have you considered how to move a wine collection you have been amassing over the years?

Wine bottles are unique items to relocate because they are fragile, often extremely valuable, and the contents are very volatile.

Methods of Moving Wine

Move it Yourself: This is a good option if you have a small, valuable collection. We often tell families to move the items that are most valuable to them in their own cars if possible. This allows you to have complete control and peace of mind. Just be sure to follow our wine packing and moving tips below. You can also opt to have the moving company pack the wine, but move it yourself.

Trust to a Moving Company: This option is better for local moves than for interstate moves. You can include wine in your move along with your other household goods. This probably the best option if your wine collection is not valuable, or if it is the spring or fall seasons, when the temperatures are not extreme. If the moving company is relocating your wine, ask your consultant or coordinator if the company has wine moving experience and their method for packing and moving the wine. Some moving companies may even be able to refrigerate your wine throughout the relocation. If your wine is valuable and you select to have the moving company relocate your collection, be absolutely sure that you fill our a High Value Inventory for your collection.

Hire a Wine Relocation Professional: There are some companies that specialize in only moving wine. This option can be pricey, but it is the best choice if you have a valuable collection and you are moving over a long distance. Your moving company will have a recommendation or can coordinate the service for you. Some wine relocation companies include:

Considerations For Your Transport Decision

When you are trying to choose the best method for your wine relocation, consider the following:

Am I moving local or interstate? For local moves, a better option is moving the wine yourself or with the moving company. For interstate moves, the better option is hiring a specialized company.

How long will your items be on the truck? If your wine is valuable and the move takes multiple days, the more your wine will be exposed to temperature fluctuations. There longer the transport time, the more you should consider moving the wine on your own or with a specialist.

How extensive is your wine collection? A larger collection should be moved with a moving company or wine specialist.

How valuable is your wine collection? If your collection is valuable, you should definitely choose a refrigerated, specialized option.

What is the weather like around you move date? When the temperatures are extreme in the summer and winter, it’s more important to ensure that your collection is in controlled refrigeration during the relocation.

How to Pack Wine Bottles for Moving

Appraise your wine before you move: This is important because if there is any damage to your collection during the relocation, you will have the documentation to obtain the full value in your claim. You can often ask your local wine vendor for a recommendation for an appraiser.

Fill out a high value inventory: If a company is relocating your wine, be sure it is listed on a high value inventory. This will ensure the company keeps a special eye on it, and it will help ensure that you receive the full value in the case of a claim.

Pack wine with care: Purchase specialized wine boxes like this one. Be sure to pack wine on its side to keep the corks wet. Never pack and move an open bottle of wine.

Keep the temperature stable: To maintain the best taste and prevent the bottle from corking, keep the wine around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Allow the wine to rest: Due to the movement, do not open your wine for 7 days after the relocation.

Check customs laws: Some states or countries do not allow you to relocate wine across their borders.

 

Are you ready to move your wine the rest of your belongings?  Call 800.222.4744 for a free moving estimate from Olympia Moving & Storage, or request an estimate online.

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