KELLOGG — The Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, celebrating the people who 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’s "blown away" by the number of people who step up to help bring the chamber’s events to life. 

“They provide countless hours of unpaid labor which bonds our community together, creating new relationships, while also building that sense of community and purpose," Zook said.

The chamber hosts several major 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, said the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is important.

"These events allow us to reinvest funds back into the community, something we simply could not do without our countless volunteers," she said. "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.

Zook presented the Chamber’s Precious Gem award, which goes to someone who has gone above and beyond in multiple ways, to 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 — an award he won as a high school student due to his outstanding community service work when he was just a teenager," Zook recalled. "It was an honor to present him with 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, including Jim’s Towing and Auto Repair and the Pioneer Lodge, later shared 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.” 

Kelsie Deschand, Colton Imes and Aubrey Birdsell received student awards. Kristen Krulitz Voorhees was honored with 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 events, and Chamber directors Gus Colburn, Kelton Enich and Scott Albrethsen were also recognized.