Rochester-opoly Now Available, Just in Time for the Holidays

This holiday season the places of Rochester will be spaces on a customized board game, Rochester-opoly. The game will feature all of the fun and memorable places in our community, including Leader Dogs for the Blind, Oakland University, Rochester Hills Public Library and many more.

The game was created by Lynne Vettraino, a local entrepreneur, after she was inspired by a similar game in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, “While visiting my hometown, I saw a custom city-based ‘opoly’ game and was instantly excited. It was so cool to see places I know as spaces on a board game. While examining the game, I couldn’t help myself from thinking what an awesome idea this would be for Rochester. As someone who finds myself always saying how great this region is, I have finally found a way to focus my enthusiasm on a project that can market the fantastic place I live and love.”

A portion of the proceeds from every game sold will benefit the Rochester Community Schools Foundation. “We are excited to partner with Lynne and her company and are honored to be selected as the recipient of a portion of the Rochester-opoly sales,” said RCSF Director Lori Grein. “Community partnerships such as this play an important role in supporting the advanced learning for all our students.”

In addition to promoting local businesses and community non-profits, Rochester-opoly partnered with the Charter Township of Oakland, the City of Rochester, the City of Rochester Hills, Downtown Rochester and the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce to create an inclusive regional project. Rochester Regional Chamber President Sheri Heiney said, “Rochester-opoly is a wonderful and playful way to celebrate the great community that we are so lucky to live, work, and play in. What better way for families to celebrate our rich community history; playing a game about their hometown. Congratulations to Lynne for bringing this vision to our community.”

Rochester Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Kristi Trevarrow added, “Rochester-opoly celebrates everyone’s favorite things about our community and will be a treasured keepsake for years to come.”

Every new project needs committed partners willing to believe in a vision. Rochester-opoly has been embraced by dozens of organizations. “The support and enthusiasm of the community has been amazing, said Vettraino. “I would like to specifically thank the top sponsors that really made the project possible—Crittenton Hospital, Frank Rewold & Son, Inc., Chief Financial Credit Union, Great Oaks Country Club, Village of Rochester Hills, Rochester Post, Rochester Telemessaging Center and Royal Park Hotel.”

In addition to featuring local businesses, community nonprofits are also featured as part of the game. Thanks to the Village of Rochester Hills, community nonprofits were given a fun and creative opportunity to market themselves on the game playing cards. Marketing Director for the Village of Rochester Hills Shelleen McHale said, “When I met with Lynne and talked about her vision for the game, we instantly agreed that it would be an awesome opportunity for our great local nonprofits to introduce themselves to parents and kids in our community.”

Rochester-opoly is truly a community board game. It is a snapshot, a time capsule, of the great community in which we live. In a unique partnership with the Rochester Community Schools Foundation and many other community partners, Rochester-opoly embraces the opportunity to provide a fun activity, designed especially for the families of the Greater Rochester area.

“What better way than a board game to collaborate on a project that exhibits community cooperation and pride. We are so lucky and fortunate to be working and living in the greater Rochester community; and supporting our school district’s Foundation is an excellent way to give back to our hometown,” said Vettraino.

The game is currently available and sells for $30.00, plus tax. Vendors selling the game include: Chief Financial Credit Union, Crittenton Hospital Gift Shop, Dillman & Upton, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Olive Vinegar, the OPC, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Rochester College Bookstore, Rochester Hills Public Library, Royal Park Hotel, South Street and Twin Lakes Golf & Swim Club.

Rochester-opoly is a limited edition, so people are encouraged to purchase them while supplies last.