The Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce is planning its annual awards celebration for Jan. 28, 2014 at Larkin’s Carolina Grill.

Each year the chamber gives recognition for the following awards from nominations made by membership and community.  If you would like to submit a nomination, write to the chamber with reasons for your nomination, or call Janet Sciacca at 828-859-6236.

Nominations should be received no later than Jan. 10, 2014.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Recognized for consistent time and effort contributing to the chamber’s activities, who has done something extraordinary for the activities of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer.

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR: An individual who runs an established business or tax-exempt or not-for-profit organization that generates revenues, pays salaries and functions as any business, has operated for a generous period of time, is good for our communities, participates in community activities, well respected by fellow businesses, and not a current chamber board member.

MOST OUTSTANDING CITIZEN: (Not given every year) Presented to one who: is not necessarily a business, nor a chamber member, is certainly an individual who has contributed in an exceptional way to the vitality of our communities or to other goals of the chamber through his/her philanthropic, entrepreneurial or creative efforts; given only whenever there is the rare evidence of a person who has made such an extraordinary contribution.

HALL OF FAME: (Not given every year) Criteria is same as Volunteer of the Year, but for a longer period of time, or any person who has made an exceptional contribution to the goals of the chamber consistently over an extended period of time.

– article submitted by Janet Sciacca