President’s Report – December 2020
Well, it’s December. As we near the close of 2020, I look back on the year that held so much promise with a little melancholy. Our Chamber has been a staple in the community for 65 years, and we began this year in great anticipation to celebrate all year long. Although we weren’t able to celebrate the year as intended, we have so much to be thankful for. We were able to get through this difficulty because of the foundation that was laid for our Chamber 65 years ago. Leadership that had the foresight to create a Chamber with staying power. We had amazing leadership on our Board this year, thank you to Dr. Misty Farr that was an amazing Chairwoman. Her leadership and faith in our Chamber staff gave us the opportunity to succeed during the insurmountable difficulty we faced. There’s no way I could’ve faced this year without my amazing staff: Jaime and Danielle. We’ve gone through this plague together becoming a little stronger, a little closer, a little crazier with a lot of laughter. There’s no two I’d rather work with and annoy with my singing and random ideas. I’ll speak for all three of us when I say, we can’t wait to see you all in 2021!
Just a reminder, we are still collecting new and unused toys for the Bennet Project! Please drop by the chamber office until December 18th and help us give the gift of joy and hope!
Please be sure to sign up for our December Membership meeting as we will present the State of the Chamber: Where you’re Investments are Invested! The ZOOM Meeting will be on December 16th at 11:30 a.m.
This year’s virtual Nite of Stars Bon Voyage to 2020 was incredible! We had a lot of fun creating an exciting, albeit virtual event that is sure to be remembered. Thanks to Chair, Kitty Harrison 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 our virtual 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 our virtual experience was amazing. We danced the evening away with DJ Scott Palermo, and we now know that Kitty Harrison missed her calling as a professional auctioneer… she will be our auctioneer until the end of time! Thank you to Bebe’s Balloon Biz for the amazing anchor balloon that anchored our Chamber studio for the evening!
Special thanks our party box sponsors: Goldkamp Heating & Cooling; Hendels Market; Narrow Gauge Brewing Co.; Pirrone’s; Stems Florist & Gifts; and Sugary Bliss Candy Buffet!
Thank you to our 2020 Partners: Elite Sponsor Christian Hospital; Premier Partner SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis; Gold Partner – Garden Plaza of Florissant; Corporate Event Partner: North County Inc.; Silver Sponsors – A Savvy Employment Solutions, City of Florissant, Delmar Gardens North, Garden Villas North, Gayr’s Auto Service, Handyman TrueValue Hardware, Life Development Support Center, St Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, and Valley Industries. Bronze Sponsors: A Hart of Pearls Healthcare, A Skeetz Production, Alltru Credit Union, Central Bank of St. Louis, City of Bellefontaine Neighbors, Denny & Associates, Emerson Family YMCA, Hope Hospice, Paramount Bank, Stems Florist & Gifts, Trinity Catholic High School, & Vantage Credit Union.
Also, please note that the Chamber office will be closed for the season from Thursday, December 24th until Monday, January 4th, 2021! See you all in 2021!
I leave you with my last quote for the year: “Remember when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given; a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage” – Saint Francis of Assisi
Venus Martz
