Since 1982 when it was called Community Night, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce has hosted a community awards dinner and presentation to honor Westfield’s exceptional residents and businesses. In 2007, the event became known as The Lantern Awards and is held each September. The chamber’s awards follow a lantern theme with the individual awards being named for the parts of a lantern to honor Westfield’s history and ties to the Underground Railroad. Also recognized are individuals from Westfield Washington Schools, City of Westfield, Westfield Public Works and Westfield police and fire departments.
Nominations are accepted from the public and members of the chamber’s board of directors evaluate and select the chamber’s recipients. The remaining recipients are chosen by their respective organization.
This year for our Business of the Year Award we will be voting between the two nominees.
The Westfield Chamber of Commerce congratulates all of these outstanding recipients and looks forward to honoring them on Friday, Sept. 29, at The Palomino Ballroom. The 2017 Presenting Sponsor is Centier Bank. Also that evening, there will be a drawing for raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds from the raffles help to fund the chamber’s academic scholarship program. A portion of the 50/50 will be presented to WYSI, Outstanding Service Organization of 2017.
The public is welcome to The Lantern Awards. The cost is $60 per person and corporate tables of eight are available for $600 and will receive recognition at the event. Reservations are required. Please visit the chamber’s website, www.westfield-chamber.org, or call the chamber office at (317) 804-3030 to register. 50/50 tickets are $20 each and are also available online or by calling the chamber office as well as from any board member. Reservations close Friday, Sept. 15.
The chamber launched a Lantern Awards website this year where the public can view prior years’ recipients, read bios and testimonials of the immediate past recipients, learn the criteria for nominating a business or individual and submit nominations. The site will be available year-round. Anyone can be nominated, but the Business of the Year must be a member in good standing of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce.
You may visit the website at www.lantern-awards.org.