On Saturday night the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce did what it does every year, it hosted an event that made it possible for its CEO, Dirk Webb, to share the state of the chamber, its vision and mission, and allow for the gavel to be passed from one chairperson to another.
The well attended event took place at Osceola Heritage Park with strict attention being paid to social distancing, mask wearing, and numerous other CDC safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the St. Cloud’s annual banquet is typically “themed” differently each year, there are usually some “givens” that take place every year.
Yes, the chamber said thank you to its partners, including Positively Osceola, that assist the chamber throughout the year. Yes, the chamber, with the help of OHP’s Savor, provided a delicious meal to its guests, and yes, members of the chamber had the opportunity to enjoy an evening of discussion, fellowship, and supporting their chamber, but there were a number of things that were much different at this year’s St. Cloud Chamber Banquet.
After last year’s Chairman George Sterner presented the gavel to Rayelynne Ketchum, founder and owner of Land Title Professionals, making her officially the next Chairperson of the Board, she explained that instead of presenting awards to individual members of the chamber during the evening – which would be the norm, the chamber would lift up its support and event proceeds, to a very worthy local cause, the Guardian Ad Litem in Osceola County.
One of the many negative impacts COVID-19 has had on our community was that it made it impossible for Guardian Ad Litem Osceola to hold its own fundraising gala event, which typically funds its organization’s mission throughout the year. That mission is: supporting the best interest of the abused, neglected, and abandoned children of Osceola County. Pandemic or no pandemic, Guardian Ad Litem in Osceola makes a positive difference in Osceola County.
After the event’s guests were shown a truly heart-felt video from Guardian Ad Litem called “I am for the Child,” they had an opportunity to bid on some beautiful locally-created art as well as participate in a silent auction, and a bit of an Osceola-style casino, all with the heart of supporting Guardian Ad Litem and the chamber.
Somewhat of a change from year’s past? Yes – and a change that showed a bit of the heart and passion of the St. Cloud Chamber, and its newest Chairperson. Well done to all – and Positively Osceola looks forward to the positive impact that the St. Cloud Chamber will surely bring to the community over the next year and beyond.
One of the many negative impacts COVID-19 has had on our community was that it made it impossible for Guardian Ad Litem Osceola to hold its own fundraising gala event, which typically funds its organization’s mission throughout the year. That mission is: supporting the best interest of the abused, neglected, and abandoned children of Osceola County. Pandemic or no pandemic, Guardian Ad Litem in Osceola makes a positive difference in Osceola County.
After the event’s guests were shown a truly heart-felt video from Guardian Ad Litem called “I am for the Child,” they had an opportunity to bid on some beautiful locally-created art as well as participate in a silent auction, and a bit of an Osceola-style casino, all with the heart of supporting Guardian Ad Litem and the chamber.
Somewhat of a change from year’s past? Yes – and a change that showed a bit of the heart and passion of the St. Cloud Chamber, and its newest Chairperson. Well done to all – and Positively Osceola looks forward to the positive impact that the St. Cloud Chamber will surely bring to the community over the next year and beyond.
