Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce honors service clubs and organizations

Jan. 29--Over 200 people gathered at Eastman Hall on Jan. 18 to celebrate the services, donations and time given by clubs and organizations in the city during the Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce's community awards and installation banquet.

Chamber Director Brent Rose welcomed the crowd following the no-host reception. He introduced special guests and numerous dignitaries from the state, county and city. The banquet's theme was "Honoring Community Contributions."

Mayor Richard Walker gave the invocation and Assemblyman Frank Bigelow led the flag salute.

The festivities began with a dessert auction. Tim Sisil of Madera returned to the event as auctioneer. Sisil kept the bids coming as he and his spotters worked the crowd. A wide variety of desserts were auctioned off, raising about $3,400.

Following a buffet dinner prepared by Farnesi's Steakhouse, the chamber's new officers and directors were installed by Police Chief Jay Varney. Directors installed were Brent Rose of Rose Furniture and Ron Seals, superintendent of Chowchilla Union High School. Jan Harrell of Golden Acres apartments was installed as president. Serving with Harrell are Carol Ann Pitner of Triad Healing Services as vice president and Larry Pistoresi Sr. of Steves Chevrolet as treasurer. Not present was past president Paula Christoffersen of Paula Christoffersen Insurance Co.

Other directors include: David Bump of Schoettler Tire, Tara Davis of State Farm Insurance, Dan Flanagan of Roberta Flanagan Realtor, Alan Hopkins of Allwire, Inc. and John Scurfield of Chowchilla Fair and Event Center.

Harrell presented the awards. She was assisted by Tara Davis. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, also presented certificates to award winners, as did Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O'Neals, Madera County Supervisor District 2 David Rogers, Walker and Mika Petrucci, who represented senators Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, and Tom Berryhill, R-Twain Harte.

The first award presented went to Alview-Dairyland 4-H Club, which has given back to the community in many ways. They tie ribbons around the community for Red Ribbon Week, honor veterans with the folding of the flag on Veterans Day, adopt flower beds at the fairgrounds, give food to the needy for Thanksgiving, send holiday cards to patients at Children's Hospital, sell Kid's Day newspapers and award sponsorships for fair, FFA and the Western Stampede.

The American Legion Post 148 was recognized for their contributions to the community. They sponsor Boys State, Girls State, school award programs for graduating students in elementary, middle and high schools, sponsor a state and national speech contest, and veterans outreach programs.

The Chowchilla 4-H Club received an award for service to the community. Club members assisted the Friends of the Library, Cornerstone Preschool, Relay for Life, helped with the Jon Calley Memorial luncheon, the NRA Dinner, the Chowchilla Block Party, the city Easter egg hunt, tied ribbons for Red Ribbon Week, sold Kid's Day newspapers, collected coats for kids, collected food and gifts for the Christmas Basket Program, decorated a Christmas tree for seniors, baked cookies for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, donated time and services to Children's Hospital, donated to the local animal shelter and donated to the Ronald McDonald House soda tab collection among other outreach programs.

The Chowchilla Athletic Foundation was recognized for providing $176,000 to support for Chowchilla High School and youth sports programs last year.

The Chowchilla District Historical Society was commended for preserving Chowchilla's history through artifacts, photos and the museum.

The Chowchilla Fair and Event Center board of directors received an award for their work with the district fair exhibitors, livestock exhibition, Little Miss and TommyHawk pageants, Historical Society Museum, race track year-round events such as team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, gymkhanas, Trunk or Treat, and for renting facilities for numerous fundraising events, businesses and private parties.

The Chowchilla FFA offers opportunities for high school students to learn Ag skills and participate in ag-related competitions as well as learn technical skills.

The Chowchilla Little League provides opportunities for all youth to participate in baseball.

The Chowchilla Lioness Lions Club was recognized for their many contributions to the community. They work with the K-9 fundraiser, Eye Sight Conservation Youth program, academic decathlon, little league, Western Stampede, fire department, Wilson Middle School's to the Rose Bowl Parade, Coats for Kids, Christmas Basket Program, provide scholarships and volunteer at community events.

The Chowchilla Lions Club received an award for their commitment to the community. The sponsor the annual fireworks event at Berenda Reservoir, operate and maintain the reservoir for free summer activities, sponsor the East Bay Boating event, give scholarships, provide eye exams for local students and sponsor little league among other activities.

The Chowchilla Ministerial Association organized the annual Christmas Basket Program. The program was coordinated through the efforts of local churches, organizations and volunteers.

The Chowchilla Police Activities League provides wrestling sport training and competitions while teaching good citizenship and personal values.

Chowchilla Rotary Club has been a long-time community contributor. They sponsor or donate to Chowchilla Fair projects, as well as to the Fossil Discovery Center, Trunk or Treat, little league, senior center, Christmas Basket Program, library, Toys for Tots, local schools, speech contests, scholarships, hunter safety courses, leadership camps and academic decathlon.

Chowchilla Senior Club organizes trips, provides opportunities for senior citizens to interact through games and activities at the senior center, as well as assisting with the hot lunch program.

The Chowchilla Soccer Academy provides opportunities for any child to learn the fundamentals of soccer and competitive play.

The Chowchilla Spring Festival organizes the annual Spring Festival Parade and barbecue at the fair, serving more than 2,000 people. They also host the Spring Festival Queen contest.

The Chowchilla Western Stampede not only presents the annual Stampede and cattle drive, they are also involved and support the youth of the area and participate in community events. They provide 12 scholarships to area high schools, sponsor fair contests and activities, support 4-H Club and FFA, Trunk or Treat, provide sponsorships for chamber events, the city block party, schools, horse shows, and they barbeque for events and sponsor the Stampede Royalty contest.

Cub Scout Pack 148 hosted a "stranger danger" event, participated in the Veterans Day ceremony, raised funds for Children's Hospital, assisted in the Christmas Basket program, and are helping repaint the city's welcome signs.

The Friends of the Library are instrumental in the ongoing programs at the local library. They provide monthly allotment for purchasing new books for the library, donate funds to provide Wi-Fi for library patrons, support the summer reading program and Movies at the Library events, purchase supplies for the children's programs and volunteer to keep the library open and available to the public.

Each of the organizations were presented with a plaque from the chamber and certificates from state, county and city representatives.

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