President’s Report – December 2018

Hello December! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays bring so much hope for what’s to come.  Hopefully, this season allows you to stop from your busy day-to-day and cherish those most dear to you.  As we look ahead and close out 2018, I want to thank you for working, living, and serving our North County community.  Together, we are making a difference for our community and look forward with anticipation for 2019.

Just a reminder, we are still collecting new toys and cleaning supplies for are area member non-profits! Our non-profits do so much for those in need in our community, please drop by the chamber office until December 14th and help us give the gift of joy and hope!

Please be sure to sign up for our December Luncheon as we will present the State of the Chamber: Where you’re Investments are Invested! The luncheon will be at Norwood Hills Country Club on December 19th at 11 a.m.  We will also have our Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest that afternoon, so please sign up and celebrate the last Chamber luncheon of 2018!

This year’s Nite of Stars Winter Wonderland was incredible! If you were unable to attend the SOLD OUT event, it was spectacular and absolutely magical! During the event, it was my pleasure to announce our 2019 Business Person of the Year! This prestigious honor is awarded to an individual that exemplifies true leadership, dedication and hard work: Cathy Bono, Delmar Gardens Family.  Cathy Bono has devoted over 37 years of her life to caring for thousands and thousands of dear residents with a passionate focus of adhering to the Delmar Gardens Philosophy of “Love, Care and Understanding” each and every day.  No task is too small or challenge too great for Cathy.  Please help us honor Cathy at our January at our Installation Awards luncheon.

Our committee did such a wonderful job creating a memorable evening.  Thanks to Chair, Kitty Harrison and Vice-Chair, Darla Tinker for spearheading such a wonderful event and to all the committee members, Board of Directors, and chamber members that donated, gave and volunteered to make the event a success.  We couldn’t have pulled off Nite of Stars without you and of course, Jaime and Danielle worked tirelessly to make sure that no detail was missed.  We danced the evening away with Big Papa G, while Kent Miller Photography captured the evening forever! We also had a photo booth sponsored by Delmar Gardens! Specials thanks to everyone that donated silent and live auction items! We had some amazing packages!

I have to say thank you to our amazing sponsors: Presenting Sponsor Christian Hospital; Gold Sponsors Life Care Center of Florissant and the Bridget at Florissant; Silver Sponsors Aperion Care Hidden Lake, Central Bank of St. Louis, Delmar Gardens North, Garden Villas North, Gary’s Auto Service, Handyman TrueValue Hardware, Life Development Support Center, Inc., St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, US Bank, and Valley Industries.  Bronze Sponsors A Skeetz Production, Citizens National Bank, City of Bellefontaine Neighbors, Denny & Associates, Inc., Hazelwood School District, Kwik Kopy Printing, Pallottine Renewal Center, Paramount Bank, Stems Florist, St. Catherine Retirement Community, St. Louis Ambush, and Vivial.

Special thanks to Table Centerpiece Sponsor: Stems Florist, and St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley; Ice & Easy Sponsor: Fogarty’s House of Vapor, Blizzard Bucket of Booze Sponsor: GFI Digital, The Lipton Group, and the Greater North County Chamber Board of Directors; Snowy Sweets & Treats Sponsor: Nimmons Wealth Management; Program Sponsors Hazelwood School District, Life Development Support Center; Valet Sponsors Deer Valley Home Health Services, Hope Hospice, Ronsick’s Auto Care Inc., SSM Health DePaul House, Vivial, and Johnny Londoff Chevrolet.  Airfare Sponsor: Specialist of North County Behavioral Health.  And last but not least, thank you to Mystery Box Sponsors: Commercial Bank, and Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Also, please note that the Chamber office will be closed for the season From Monday, December 24th until Tuesday, January 1st, 2019! See you all in 2019!!!

I leave you with my last quote for the year:

“For it is in giving that we receive” – Saint Francis of Assisi

Venus Martz
Chamber President