The Chamber of Commerce started working on membership, with their membership drive kicking off in February.

For their spring fundraiser, the board decided to try something different and went with a dinner and auction, which they had in April and made over $2500.

The Chamber recognized Student of Excellence from Red Springs High School and Flora Macdonald Academy grades 9-12, by selecting students from each grade and each winner received an award from the Chamber.

May was Educators Appreciation for the educators in 10 of the area schools and served breakfast in the schools. Chamber members furnished breakfast to all employees and different schools.

The summer months were very busy with them working on the new Welcome Brochure. The brochure was finished in fall. The Chamber thanks all of the businesses that did a sponsor Ad for the brochure. They couldn’t have done the brochure with out area business support.

August and September, they worked on the big fundraiser, the Annual Golf Tournament. The money made from the tournament, helped pay the bills for the end of the year. The Chamber raised over $6000 from the tournament.

October was spent planning for the Annual Dinner which was their membership meeting and awards night for the year. The three main awards for the year were Business, Home and Waverly Barham. For 2009, the Business award went to Joan Hall for her new business. The Home award went to Barbara Melvin for the Indian Housing for all of the homes that were remodeled in Red Springs. The Waverly Barham award went to Billie Currie for all he did for Red Springs for the past fifty or more years.

The Appearance Commission worked hard in 2009. One of their main projects was completing a face lift to the Old Springs on North Main St. It was painted and new plants were placed in all the beds.

December was occupied for the Christmas Parade and had Santa Claus on hand for the Christmas Holidays. Parade day was very cold, but did not stop people from coming out and enjoying the parade which was over ninety units. The floats and bands made the parade successful. The Chamber thanks everyone that played a part in helping to put the parade together and for all the hard work.

They couldn’t put together a Christmas house Tour for 2009, but instead did an open house at Providence Place in their new apartments.

The Chamber of Commerce had a great 2009 and stayed busy throughout the whole year. They give lots of thanks to Tony Dellinger, President, and to all of the Directors and member for support throughout the year.

For chamber info: 843-5441.