The Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce wrapped up a successful year at its monthly luncheon December 12 at the Heritage Inn.
President Lana Kirk announced the nominations for its 2013 board of directors, and celebrated those that would be stepping down after the 2012 year is up.
Mike Adams will assume the president position in January. He has previously been a vice president. Dave Butler will be vice president. Janette Sissons will remain as treasurer. and Kirk will step down.
All the nominees were approved without any new ones received from the floor. Incoming directors will be Elizabeth Ahlgren, Leah Bradish, Ken Dunsire, Ryan Gibbard and Diane Baher. Retaining their positions will be Allyson Blake, Chris Botterill, Tristen Chernove, Connor Stewart and David Struthers. Leaving the board is Ted Lauritsen, Jim Benson, Karla Shalley and Tracey Whiting.
Kirk said the outgoing directors have put in an incredible amount of hard work during their term and would be missed.
"Without the work and effort that these generous people have given, we could not have done so much," she said.
The new directors will take their oath at the January 16, 2013 Chamber luncheon at the Heritage Inn.
Jason Wheeldon and Warren Bedell presented the final tally from the Chamber's annual Turkey Drive that took place December 5.
Wheeldon, who lost a coin toss and appeared wearing the turkey suit that has been the mascot of the drive, was happy to report that the drive shattered all previous records for a total of $27,000 collected.
The celebrity pledgers, including the Townsman's own publisher Karen Johnston helped collect $6,000 towards the final number. Wheeldon said the Salvation Army and Cranbrook Food Bank do incredible work year round and the Chamber was happy to help out.
"Their dedication to our community is outstanding," he said.
Bedell said the number is astonishing, and amounts almost dollar for dollar for every resident in Cranbrook.
"It's great to see a community of 20,000 raise well over $20,000," he said.
Jackie Pringle from the Food Bank and Cpt. Kirk Green from the Salvation Army were there to accept a portion of the pledges.
"It was an enormous help to the Food Bank, we can't help you enough," Pringle said. "It's nice to know when we sit down to our turkey dinner that someone else is able to celebrate."
Kirk said the Christmas season looks bright for the Salvation Army customers.
"We are on track," he said. "The mark of a great community is how they treat their less fortunate, and you can be very proud."
To cap off the luncheon, the Chamber announced that Wheeldon was the Citizen of the Year. He will be honoured at the January 16 meeting. See more on Wheeldon in tomorrow's Townsman.