Chamber Gala to Mark 85th Anniversary

The Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 85th year with a "Roaring '20s" gala Friday night.

The Chamber will mark its birthday with a dinner dance and casino night at the Cold Spring Country Club. Attendees will have a chance to do the Charleston to a Big Band sound as the chamber honors two leaders, Ken Christensen and James V. Kelly.

Christensen will be recognized for his continued support and leadership of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce.  Kelly will be honored for his leadership in revitalizing and leading the Chamber into the future.

During the past 85 years, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce has achieved success working closely with local business and industry as well as community and government leaders.  Some of the highlights the Chamber claims are:

• Creation of the Huntington Chamber Foundation responsible for many community initiatives such as the Dolan Center, Childcare Centers and Grocery Bus Service;
• Providing opportunities for the region's diverse and growing population of entrepreneurs and businesses to network and impact governmental and legislative advocacy;
• Huntington's National recognition as an "All-American City;"
• Coordination of the largest annual Long Island Fall Festival Columbus Day Weekend, bringing thousands of visitors into our area;
• Partnered with Adelphi University to provide a local, convenient and discounted MBA Program;
• Created the Huntington Community Council consortium of local not-for-profit organizations sharing resources;
• Initiated local campaigns such as "Buy-Local," "Dine Huntington," Village merchant committees and on-line village passport/directory.

"We're very proud of all of the collective achievements the Chamber has realized over these many years," said Bob Bontempi, Huntington Chamber chairman. "We've seen tremendous growth within the past 85 years among our local business community, faced many challenges and celebrated an abundance of successes.  Working together, the Chamber and its members always get the job done.  We're looking forward to a great party celebrating this tremendous milestone on November 19th," he said.

Also, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce will present the John Klaber Award to Dolores Thompson, the founder, president and CEO of the Huntington Station Enrichment Center, a community facility established for residents providing training in computer skills, entrepreneurship, English as a second language, job placement and youth and senior services.   The award symbolizes devotion to the community. It is given to a citizen, at least 60 years of age, who has a record of distinguished and exceptional voluntary service to the community for 15 years or more and has held key leadership positions with diversified town-wide organizations.

Premier Sponsor is JVKelly, Inc.  Supporting sponsors are Briarcliffe College; H2M; Farrell Fitz; Bontempi Family; Kushnick & Associates;  North Shore Financial/Met Life and Gallery Of Designs.

For more information on the 85th Anniversary Celebration including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce at 164 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 or call (631) 423-6100.  You can also log onto the Chamber's website at: www.huntingtonchamber.com

The event will run from 6 to 11 pm.

About the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1925 as a Chamber of Commerce in the Village of Huntington, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business, industry, financial service, not-for-profit and other professionals within the greater Huntington area. Its mission is the promotion of business, economic development and job creation through the coordinated effort of its membership.