KELLOGG – The Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, celebrating the people who selflessly give their time and energy to the community. 

Chamber Past President Juli Zook served on the committee that organized the dinner and was also one of the evening’s award presenters. Each year, she said, she’s blown away by the number of people who step up to help bring the chamber’s events to life. 

“Our community is blessed with people who repeatedly step up as volunteers,” Zook said. “They provide countless hours of unpaid labor which bonds our community together, creating new relationships, while also building that sense of community and purpose.” 

The chamber hosts several major community events, including the annual Silver Hoops 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the Jackass Half Marathon and Music in the Park, all of which rely heavily on volunteers. 

Tara Lodi, a member of the Chamber's board of Directors explained why the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is so important to the organization. 

"Our goal is to provide a variety of business and social opportunities throughout the year," Lodi said. "These events allow us to reinvest funds back into the community, something we simply could not do without our countless volunteers. It is important to honor and recognize these individuals for their dedication and hard work." 

Zook also highlighted the wide range of Silver Valley businesses that pitch in, even when a project falls outside their day-to-day work. 

Among this year’s honorees were students from all three local high schools, along with several community members and businesses. 

Zook presented the Chamber’s Precious Gem award, which goes to a community member who has gone above and beyond in multiple ways. This year’s recipient was Brandon Church, creating a full-circle moment a decade in the making. 

“I presented Brandon with the Chamber’s Pay it Forward award in 2016,” Zook recalled. “An award he won as a high school student due to his outstanding community service work when he was just a teenager. It was an honor to present him that award the same way it was an honor to present him with a similar award this year. He has gone on to be a very valuable member of the community and an ongoing civic leader.” 

Church, who owns and operates several businesses in the community, including Jim’s Towing and Auto Repair and the Pioneer Lodge, later took to social media to share what the award meant to him. 

“Full circle moment tonight,” he wrote. “10 years ago, Juli Zook presented me with an award when I was just 17. Tonight, she honored me with the Precious Gem award. Juli, you've been one of my biggest supporters and someone I truly look up to. Thank you for believing in me then and now. This means everything.” 

Student awards went to Kelsie Deschand, Colton Imes and Aubrey Birdsell. Kristen Krulitz Voorhees received the Outstanding Community Service award, Sarah Still received the Dedicated Community Engagement award and Braden Thomas received the Precious Jackass award. Businesses Dave Smith GMC and Grocery Outlet were honored for their support of community events, and Chamber Directors Gus Colburn, Kelton Enich and Scott Albrethsen were also recognized. 

“The Chamber relies on these people for our events,” Zook said. “We are so very grateful for those who choose to give back to our community.”