Olney Chamber marks annual banquet
The Olney Chamber of Commerce held the 96th Annual Chamber Banquet – one of the most popular and upscale events of the year – at the Main Room on Jan. 19. The Banquet raises much-needed funds the Chamber will use all year but, more importantly, recognizes businesses and individuals for their outstanding service to the community.
This year’s Olney Chamber Award recipients: Citizen of the Year-Rue Rogers, Volunteer of the Year-Junior Altruistic Club, Pioneer Award-Sherry Altmiller, Pipeline Spirit Award-Katie Carls, and Business of the Year-Lunn Funeral Home. Mayor Rue Rogers expressed his love for the community during his acceptance speech, adding that what makes Olney great is its people.
Olney Chamber Director Deidre Brown described the event as “incredible.” “We had a great turnout with 216 on our guest list,” Ms. Brown said. “Each award recipient was well-deserving and the presentations were both meaningful and heartfelt. The auctions and raffle would not have been suc- cessful without the donations from so many of our wonderful members and citizens of the community. Thank you to everyone that contributed. We hope all in attendance had a wonderful time!”
Ms. Brown gave special thanks to board member Lacey Bullock and Junior Class Sponsor Ashley Ballard for doing a fine job training and directing the OHS Junior Class on how to wait on tables. “The juniors did an outstanding job and were very professional,” she said. “We appreciated their help very much!”
She also thanked the Chamber’s Board Members and welcomed the following new board members: Jason Pack-President, Tatum Wiley-Vice President, Lacey Bullock-Secretary and Luke Leonard-Secretary of Finance.
Ms. Brown expressed great gratitude to all the sponsors and those businesses and members who donated auction items. The title sponsor for the event was Cemco Inc. Other sponsors included: First State Bank, Tower Extrusions, Fort Belknap Electric Co-Op, Air Tractor, Spirit of Texas Ranch, Interbank, Horizon Country Church, Cub Nutrition, 3T Meats, Olney Country Club, Trudy Capps, Jan Myers, Livingston Gundogs and Brazos Communications.
Special guests attending were: Texas State Rep. David Spiller and his wife, Ginger; Young County Precinct 3 Commissioner Stacey Rogers and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jimmy Wiley; members of the Olney City Council and Police Department. The Olney Hamilton Hospital board and members of the hospital staff.
Upcoming Chamber events include February’s Networking Night (Member Social), on a date to be determined; the Quarterly Luncheon in March on a date to be determined; the Spring Citywide Yard Sale on April 15, the Quarterly Luncheon in June on a date to be determined; Olney in America on June 29; the Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade on July 4; and the Golf Tournament in May on a date to be determined. Follow the Olney Chamber Facebook page or OlneyTexas.com for more information.