Awards honor community members at chamber's annual gala

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala Saturday at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza with a number of awards presented.

Crown Point Police Officer of the Year was awarded to Officer Jeff Eldridge and Merrillville Police Officer of the Year went to Sgt. Nick J. Berzac. Crown Point Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Erik Schmitt and Merrillville Firefighter of the Year went to Dennis A. McGee.

Awards also were presented to Cindy Wise, Crown Point Teacher of the Year, and Danny C. Lackey, who was recognized for Outstanding Recognition on behalf of the Merrillville Community School Corp. The chamber also presented Crown Point Community School Corp. and Merrillville Education Foundation with a financial donation.

The prestigious ATHENA award was presented to Sr. Aline Schultz of Franciscan Alliance Inc.

This year, the gala was streamed live to the chamber website, www.crossroadschamber.org, and the awards ceremony still is available for viewing.

Change of location

Crown Point's Winter Market, which is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, will take place under a white tent at the municipal parking lot north of the U.S. Post Office on East Street. This is change of location.

For more information, visit www.crownpoint.in.gov or call the Mayor's Office of Special events at (219) 662-3290.

Simply give

Donate to your local food pantry now through Jan. 7, and the Meijer Family will make an additional donation, up to a total of $100,000, to help local food pantries stock their shelves. Donation cards are available near the checkout lanes at Meijer stores. Donations made at the Merrillville Meijer will go to the Ross Township Food Pantry.

Station wins two awards

Radio One Communications in Northwest Indiana won two, first-place awards for Radio Market 3 in the 2011 Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Awards.

Winners for each market-size were announced at the Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Awards Dinner in Indianapolis on Nov. 12.

Graphic Designer/Web Controller Jessica Groff won first-place in the category Cross Platform Use of Radio for a Rascal Flatts promotion on Indiana 105 that used on-air announcements with website and Facebook promotion. It was the first time Radio One Communications had submitted an entry in this category.

Production Director Mac MacLeod won first place in the Commercial Series category for a series of commercials produced for Calumet Park Cemetery for Indiana 105.

Food for thoughtfulness

Christopher & Banks/CJ Banks in Westfield Southlake mall, Hobart, is hosting a charity drive Dec. 5 through 14.

The Food for Thoughtfulness Charity Drive is the perfect chance to rally the community to collect food donations for the Ross Township Food Pantry. When a nonperishable food item is donated to the store, receive 10 percent off the entire purchase as a way of saying "thank you for caring."

Sue Reed is executive director of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at (219) 769-8180 or geninq@crossroadschamber.org. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.