The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is now seeking nominations for their 22^nd Annual Business & Community Awards. The awards are given each year in order to recognize individuals and businesses, which help to promote and support the Greater Hazleton Area.

Nominations are being accepted for: Small Business of the Year; Large Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year in memory of Rocco Colangelo Sr. & Jr., Pride of Place, Charitable Organization of the Year, Healthy Workplace of the Year, and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

A business or individual may be nominated for an award or they can nominate themselves. Once the nomination is received by the Chamber, the nominee will be notified and asked to complete an official application. The applications are reviewed and scored by a volunteer committee, and all winners will be recognized at a special luncheon program, sponsored by Community Bank, N.A., to be held on Thursday, October 26th at 11:45 am Top of the 80’s Restaurant in Hazleton.

The Small Business of the Year Award is sponsored by Comfort Keepers. The purpose of the award is to show appreciation and recognition to a small business in the Greater Hazleton Area and promote the importance of small businesses to the economy and welfare of the entire community. Eligible applicants include any Chamber member business that has no more than 50 full-time employees and is located in the Greater Hazleton area. Judging will be based on staying power, growth, community contribution, and overall management philosophy.

The Large Business of the Year Award is sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The purpose of the award is to show appreciation and recognition to a large business in the Greater Hazleton and promote the importance of large businesses to the economy and welfare of the community. Eligible applicants include any Chamber member business that has more than 50 full-time employees and is located in the Greater Hazleton Area. Judging will be based on staying power, growth, community contribution, and overall management philosophy.

The Volunteer of the Year Award in memory of Rocco Colangelo Sr. & Jr. is sponsored by Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center at Hazleton. The purpose of this award is to extend appreciation to and honor an individual volunteer within the Greater Hazleton Area and to promote the importance of volunteerism to the community at large. Eligible applicants include any resident of the Greater Hazleton Area that participates in volunteer work or community service not required by their place of employment.

The Pride of Place Award is sponsored by Tri-Mountain Ventures. The purpose of this award is to recognize a local business or organization whose exterior property physically improves or enhances the community and environment in the Greater Hazleton Area. Eligible applicants include any Chamber member business that is located in the Greater Hazleton Area, and the structure must be a commercial or public building.

The Healthy Workplace Award is sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton. Eligible applicants include any Chamber member business located in the Greater Hazleton Area. Judging will be based on strength and creativity of their workplace wellness initiatives.

The Charitable Organization of the Year Award is sponsored by Hayden Power Group. The purpose of this award is to recognize any Chamber member non-profit organization within the Greater Hazleton Area who have improved the welfare of the community. Judging will be based on strength and creativity of their non-profit organization.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award is sponsored by CAN BE. The purpose of this award it is to promote the development of future business owners and operators. Eligible applicants include any entrepreneur between the ages of 13 and 35 who resides in Greater Hazleton.

In addition, the Chamber’s women’s networking committee, with a financial contribution from PPL and Luzerne Bank will once again, be recognizing the recipients of their Women’s Empowerment Grants.

According to Chamber Vice President of Marketing Leann Fallabel, “We have these awards annually to highlight Chamber member businesses in the Greater Hazleton Area, and to recognize the important role that volunteers play in our community. In addition, the awards program offers our organization the opportunity to promote October as “Chambers of Commerce” month.”

To nominate yourself or a third party and receive an application to complete, contact Leann Fallabel at the Chamber, 455-1509 or . Completed applications must be received by Friday, September 29^th.

Pictured in this photo from the left is Christan Daniels, Hayden Power Group, Charitable Organization of the Year sponsor; Karen Kaschak, Comfort Keepers, Small Business of the Year sponsor; Lisa Marie Halecky, Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hazleton, Healthy Workplace of the Year Award sponsor and Nancy Stasko and Rossanna Gabriel, Chamber Awards Committee Members. Missing from the photo is CAN BE, Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsor; Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Large Business of the Year sponsor; Tri-Mountain Venture, Pride of Place sponsor; Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center at Hazleton, Volunteer of the Year sponsor and Community Bank, N.A., luncheon sponsor.