By TERESA LEE
The Wellington News
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual chamber banquet next Thursday, and organizers say this year will be stellar.
Chamber Director Shelley Hansel-Williams says the annual celebration is a way to look back at the past year and recognize those who made a difference in the community.
“It’s a time when we look back at the past year and say thank you to those who helped contribute and give a good pat on the back to old board members and all that they did in their time of service and then we welcome on our new board members,” she said.
In conjunction with that idea, Hansel-Williams says the best part of the chamber banquet is the recognition of those who have made the biggest contribution of self to the community through the Distinguished Service Award and the Business of the Year Award.
“These two awards have gone to some pretty amazing people and companies and to be able to receive this award, you are in some pretty awesome company,” Hansel-Williams said. “This year’s honorees are no exception and the Business of the Year this year is phenomenal and people will be very pleased and excited when they hear who wins that.”
Former Business of the Year recipients have included Wal-Mart, First National Bank, Air Plains Services Corporation, Ewing Radio and Electronics and the Wellington Noon Lion’s Club.
The same exceptional work is recognized during the Distinguished Service Award as well, only on a more personal level.
“It’s one of those people who a lot of people will say, ‘Really? That person hasn’t won this?’ That person has given so much to our community,” said Hansel-Williams.
Past winners have included Raymond Schalk, Vivian Hay, Marvin White, Bob Renn, Steve Sturgis, Jim Chisham and Dr. Larry Anderson.
The luau-themed banquet will start at 6 p.m. with a social hosted by the Chamber Ambassadors. The dinner and program will start at 7 p.m.
“It’s casual, we don’t want anyone to feel they have to feel anything of any kind of status. I told somebody that if they want to throw on a pair of khaki shorts and t-shirt and some flip-flops that would be perfect. We just want people to feel comfortable and welcome,” Hansel-Williams said.
Dinner will be catered by Penny’s Dinner and will feature Hawaiian chicken and burgundy beef tips.
Reservations made before Friday are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. After Friday, the price goes up $5. Ticket prices include dinner. Reservations can be made by calling the chamber office at 326-7466. Those who make their reservations by Friday will also be entered into a drawing to win $50 in Wellington Bucks.
“You could essentially make money by going to the chamber banquet,” said Hansel-Williams.
Hansel-Williams says anyone and everyone is invited to join in on the banquet.
“We think this banquet isn’t important just for chamber members, but for the entire community,” she said. “And I think it’s a time when the entire community can come together and celebrate the chamber — which we hope people see as the community cheerleader, the community public relations and marketing arm. But we think it’s a good time to come together and set the course for the year,” she said.
For more information on the event, contact the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at 620-326-7466.
