Dust off your best cowboy boots saddle up for the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership gala on Friday, Jan. 24, at the Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach Ave. With a “Rustic Romance” theme, attendees are encouraged to don their finest blue jeans and western wear to see who was voted in for top honors of business, volunteer, citizen and non-profit of the year. The dinner starts at 6 p.m.
While the highlight of the event will be the presentation of awards, a silent auction and games will keep people interested and entertained throughout the night. For $20, guests can purchase a bandanna that enters them into a Heads or Tails game. During this game, guests have to guess the winning flip of a coin toss. The person who most accurately guesses the coin tosses will win a $1,000 barbecuing package.
With the western theme, the meal will be chuck wagon style. Top Hat Catering will provide a choice of three meats – chicken, brisket or sausage, rolls, potato salad, beans, garden salad, parfait with white chocolate and berries, cobblers, ice tea and condiments.
Throughout 2019, at each monthly membership luncheon, the Chamber announced its Business of the Month. These 12 businesses are the finalists for Business of the Year. The nominees are Bluebonnet News, Cleveland ISD, Cook Construction, City of Cleveland, El Burrito Mexican Restaurant, Martin Auto Group, McCoy’s Building Supply, MTC Cleveland Corrections, Texan Mattress/Roadhouse Randy, Trinity Armory, Walmart-Cleveland and Operation Refuge.
Chamber members pick the top business and volunteer of the year while members of the community can vote for citizen of the year and non-profit of the year. The ambassador of the year is decided by a points system that is based on the ambassador’s contribution to the chamber through participation in events and activities.
Ballots can be picked up at the Chamber office, 908 E. Houston, located inside of Veritex Bank (formerly Green Bank). The deadline for submitting ballots is the close of business on Monday, Jan. 6.
The gala is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year, so the Chamber is counting on participation from its members and the community.
“We have had some successful years, which has enabled us to start our student ambassadors program. We give scholarships to local high school students every year,” said Jim Carson, the Chamber’s Chief Operating Officer.
The Chamber gala is being sponsored by Cleveland Emergency Hospital, Entergy Texas Inc., Lone Star College System, Southside Bank, HCA Houston Healthcare, Veritex Community Bank, City of Cleveland, Public Management and DeMontrond Ford. Sponsorship packages are still available.
Tickets for the gala are $55 at the door or $50 with a prepaid reservation. Seniors 65 and older get in for $45. A table for eight is $360 ($45 per ticket) with a prepaid reservation.
To reserve tickets, request an emailed ballot or get more information, contact the Chamber by emailing info@clevelandtxchamber.com or calling 281-592-8786.