The Purple Onion restaurant in Saluda will be hosting the 28th annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Celebration on Jan. 26. Each year the chamber of commerce receives nominations from the community to honor particular individuals. Awards will be given to those who have shown extraordinary efforts to volunteer their time, and a business that is recognized for longevity, community involvement, success as a business and is well respected by the community.

The Chamber is seeking nominations for the awards, and the deadline is Jan. 11.   Awards criteria are as follows:

Volunteer of the Year: Recognized for consistent time and effort contributing to the Chambers’ activities, which has done something extraordinary for the activities of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer.

Business Person of the Year:  An individual who runs an established business or tax-exempt or not-for-profit organization that generates revenues, pays salaries and functions as any business, has operated for a generous period of time, is good for our communities, participates in community activities, well respected by fellow businesses, and not a current Chamber Board member.

Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award:  Individuals who make the commitment to help others are essential links in bringing our communities closer together. This award pays tribute to individuals who use their time, talent and compassion to positively affect the lives of others in their communities or in the workplace. Recipients of the award help foster a culture of citizenship and service that acts as a catalyst for others to become involved in civic and social activities.

Most Outstanding Citizen: (Not given every year) Presented to one who is not necessarily a business, nor a Chamber member, but is certainly an individual who has contributed in an exceptional way to the vitality of our communities or to other goals of the chamber through his/her philanthropic, entrepreneurial or creative efforts; given only whenever there is the rare evidence of a person who has made such an extraordinary contribution.

Hall of Fame: (Not given every year) Criteria is same as Volunteer of the Year, but for a longer period of time, or any person who has made an exceptional contribution to the goals of the chamber consistently over an extended period of time.

-Submitted by Janet W. Sciacca