Who went above and beyond in the community? The Chamber of Commerce wants to honor them

Stephen Landry, The Gardner News
Updated ·2 min read

It’s time to for some outstanding local residents to get the recognition they so richly deserve.

The Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominees who have gone above and beyond for their 2024 Community Awards, including Citizen of the Year.

The annual awards are aimed at honoring individuals in the community who have, over a period of time, consistently demonstrated excellence in leadership, has made significant contributions to the welfare of the community, and given freely of their time and energy for the betterment of the community.

“We’re really looking for people who have made a difference in the community,” said Rebecca Marois, president and CEO of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce. “We’re asking people to submit their nomination for someone, whether it’s because of their volunteer work, community initiatives, or some other former of contribution.”

The Honorable Mark Goldstein, the first presiding justice at Gardner District Court, was named the Citizen of the Year by the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce in 2021.
The Honorable Mark Goldstein, the first presiding justice at Gardner District Court, was named the Citizen of the Year by the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce in 2021.

Annual awards include Citizen of the Year

In addition to Citizen of the Year, the other categories are the Sybil Arguijo Community Service Award, Businessperson/Business of the Year, Community Involvement Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Michael Gerry Unsung Hero Award, which was named posthumously after the Chamber’s interim president and CEO.

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“(Mike) had done a lot for the community and he actually came out of retirement to help the Chamber when we were in need, and nobody realized everything he had actually done,” Marois said.

A nomination form can be downloaded at the Chamber’s website. All forms must be returned by March 1. Nominations can be emailed to chamber@gardnerma.com, faxed to 978-630-1767, or dropped off at the Chamber’s office at 31 Lake St., Suite 151 in Gardner. Nominators can remain anonymous, Marois said.

Awards aimed at highlighting all Greater Gardner communities

Chamber officials were seeking nominees from all Greater Gardner communities, Marios said.

More: Chamber honors these bright stars of the community

“(The Chamber) is more than just Gardner, and I think a lot of people forget that,” she said. “We do cover Ashburnham, Barre, Gardner, Hubbardston, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon. I think it’s important that the public knows (these awards) are not just about Gardner.”

The 2024 awards will be handed out at the Chamber’s annual meeting at Great Wolf Lodge on Thursday, May 16.

Previous Citizen of the Year award recipients include Elaine Fluet, who served nearly two decades as president and CEO of Care Central VNA and Hospice, Mark Goldstein, First Justice at Gardner District Court, and the late Andrew Boucher, president of Boucher Funeral Home.

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This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce seeks nominees for Community Awards