Bonnie Leavy will be honored as volunteer of the year.
Joe and Dee Strilowich will be honored as business of the year at the Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural breakfast March 11. — Kristen Jensen photo
The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual Inaugural Breakfast and State of the Town address at Silver Spring Country Club on Friday, March 11, from 7:30 to 10.
The breakfast includes the swearing-in of the Chamber’s 2016 board of directors and an address by First Selectman Rudy Marconi. It will also honor the 2016 Business of the Year, Personal Touch Welcome, and the Volunteer of the Year, Bonnie Leavy.
Personal Touch Welcome is run by longtime Ridgefield residents Dee and Joe Strilowich. They celebrated their 17th anniversary in business in January and reached a milestone late last year when they made their 10,000th home visit to welcome a new family to town. Local businesses have the opportunity to participate in the basket of goodies Dee Strilowich gives on her visits, which has a value of more than $2,000 and includes coupons and gift certificates.
“The thing I love most about my visits is welcoming new people to Ridgefield and sharing all our beautiful town has to offer,” said Strilowich. “I’m able to not only direct them to businesses which can help with all of their needs but also to community organizations and basic services like voter registration, maps, motor vehicle forms, and more.”
Personal Touch Welcome also covers Redding, and visits are made for new babies as well.
At the breakfast, the Chamber also recognizes a community advocate with the Volunteer of the Year award. This year’s recipient, Bonnie Leavy, outreach coordinator at Laurel Ridge Health Care Center, regularly supports and volunteers her time for many organizations both in and out of town. She has given time to Keeler Tavern, Founders Hall, the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Charity League, the Ridgefield High School PTSA Scholarship Fund, and many others. She is also an active Chamber of Commerce member who sits on its Health and Wellness Council.
In addition to the awards, and new this year in recognition of the chamber’s 50th anniversary, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity, has formed a scholarship. The Founders Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who exemplifies the Chamber’s core mission of community, culture and commerce.
The Chamber will also recognize Ridgefield businesses as founding members of the chamber: Addessi Jewelers, Colby’s of Ridgefield, Craig’s Jewelry, Fairfield County Bank, Montanari Fuel Services, Pamby Motors, Ridgefield Hardware, Ridgefield Supply Co., and The Ridgefield Press. All have been active members since the Chamber’s inception in 1966.
Tickets are available for $45 each at destinationridgefield.com/event or 203-438-5992.
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