I would like to give a big shout out to our 2023 Leadership Class that graduated last Wednesday. They will be joining the over 60 Alumni that will be leading in many areas of our community. It’s a great program and opportunity for many.

Our Socks for Seniors is going well. We’ve had many to drop off socks as well and we are so appreciative. Okeechobee Christian Academy collected over 200 socks and were thrilled to share with us what they had done. With the help of Courtney Moyett and a large donation, the Key Club purchased 335 pairs of socks. They will be packaging them up for us and taking them to the Okeechobee Health Care facility and handing them out. We have several that are coming on Friday morning to finish up so that we can then deliver 300 more to various organizations here in Okeechobee. Keeping our seniors feet warm is only a small part of helping to make their holidays brigh, actually, the thought that someone cares has much more meaning to them.

We have our first ribbon cutting for 2024. Workout Anytime Okeechobee is having their Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 from noon to 12:45 p.m. The event will be held at 3278 US HWY 441 S next to Bealls Outlet. This is the 24/7 gym that we’ve been waiting for, and it will be exciting to take a tour of the facility and see all that they have to offer. Certified personal coaching, 3-D body scanner, sauna to hydromassage and so much more.

Don’t miss out on meeting Danny and Issac as they welcome everyone into their new business. We’ll get to hear all about their Charter and Premium membership opportunities, first time memberships, certified personal coaching and so much more. Let’s make them feel welcomed. Hope to see you there.

Our first Chamber After Hours of 2024 will be on Thursday, Jan. 11 from 5 - 6:30 p.m Our host for this event is Fountain of Life Church located at 132 SW 32nd Street. Pastor Dave Robertson and his staff are looking forward to having us visit and take a tour of their facility. I understand they will have a fun ice breaker for us to be a part of too. So be prepared! Light refreshments will be available. Our after hours are a great time for networking too, so remember to bring your business cards. Our Chamber events are always open to the public.

Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 6 - 9 p.m. is our ever-popular Business of the Year Awards Dinner. This year our theme is “Havana Nights”! Our event will once again be held at the Downtown Venue, and we can’t wait to see what’s all in store for us that evening. You just never know what’s going to happen or who is going to show up.

We know our 10 judges will be there and our 36 finalists which includes our five winners from last year. The five are competing for the honor of the all around title BOYA! This is the first time that we’ve done this so it will be interesting to see how it turns out. We can’t wait to find out who the winners are from each of the four categories, our MVP and the final BOYA award! We also have 10 leading Star finalists, and we look forward in presenting that award to someone in our community who has been voted best all around.

I would like to thank our Top Fedora sponsor – MID-FLORIDA CREDIT UNION for being that top sponsor and following them we have our Mojito sponsors: Jones Supply, FPL, Florida Quality Real Estate, Miller’s Central Air, SouthState Bank, Brown and Company Realty, Glades Gas and Electric, and Glades A/C, Taylor Rental, The Downtown Venue, HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital, Vitas, Mixon Real Estate Group, Okeechobee Health Care Facility, Martha’s House, and Seacoast Bank.

Don’t miss out on a great time, fun, delicious food, music, cash bar and lots of cheering for your fellow businesses. Let’s support and congratulate each of our finalists for their endeavors. Our local businesses do so much for our community, and we want to share in thanking them.

Get your tickets now. Tickets are available online at $60 each, as well as table sponsors at $600. Table sponsors include your logo and mentions in the newspaper and radio. You’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as you can, get your seats reserved.

Please remember when you purchase your tickets, be sure and print out each of the tickets. This will make for easier entrance to the event.