Last month we chatted about having athankful spirit. It appears Jerry Seinfeldmissed that article. Subconsciously, I amafraid many of us believe that “someoneelse” will make sure needy children havegifts under the tree or food to eat.Christmas is a busy season for all of us.Benevolent acts often take a back seatto shopping, parties and family gatherings.The Cullman business community,however, seems to look for ways to payit forward. Below you will find a few ofthe activities that can help with yourshopping list and assist local charities:CoC Opportunities:

From the Chamber President

“That’s the true spirit of Christmas; people being helped by people other than me.”

Leah Bolin

Cullman Area

Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 1104Cullman, AL 35056-1104

info@cullmanchamber.org256-734-0454 | F: 256-737-7443

www.cullmanchamber.org www.visitcullman.org

VOLUME 44 | DECEMBER 2013 | ISSUE 12

-Jerry Seinfeld,The Pick

“Art After Hours”- Purchase uniquegifts by local artists. Half of theproceeds will benefit our local foodbank.

Chamber for Children - We encouragemembers to leave a gift under the treein the CoC lobby. All gifts will be givento low income families in the Cullmanarea.

Standard Furniture will be taking giftsfor Angel Tree.

Charles Dickens reminds us of the thingsthat are really important. When Marley’sGhost was despairing over “life’s misusedopportunities” Scrooge, trembled withfear, saying: “But you were always a goodman of business, Jacob.” Upon whichMarley’s Ghost cries out: “Business!Mankind was my business. The commonwelfare was my business; charity, mercy,forbearance, and benevolence, were allmy business. The dealings of my tradewere but a drop of water in thecomprehensive ocean of my business!”

Christmas is all about giving: God theFather, “gave his only begotten son”(John 3.16); The wise men gave theirtreasures; Jesus gave his life so men mightlive. This holiday season, look for waysgive back to the Cullman Area. Investingin the CoC is a wise decision, but investingin people’s lives is the greatest return onyour money that you will ever get.

Merry Christmas from your CoC staff:Cecelia, Jackie, Deonne, Debbie, Natalieand myself.

Chick-fil-A donated free sandwichesfor shoeboxes for OperationChristmas Child.

Moe’s BBQ is holding a fundraisingnight December 6 with live music andan auction. The cover charge willbenefit Cullman Caring for Kids.

The Child Development Center will bedisplaying Christmas ornaments atPeople’s Bank and selling them for$10. Proceeds will benefit the ChildDevelopment Center.

Cullman Regional Medical CenterFoundation’s annual Dr. Herman C.Ensor Lights of Love Christmas TreeLighting Ceremony will benefitHospice of Cullman County.

Wallace State’s Student GovernmentAssociation (SGA) is sponsoring afood drive through December 13 forCullman Caring for Kids.

Warehouse Discount Groceries,Highway 157, is collecting canned andnon-perishable food for Hospice ofCullman County’s Holiday Food Drive.

www.merchantsbankal.com

Brought to you by:

Thank you to ourScholarship sponsors:Action Environmental, LLCAK Equipment Rental and Sales, IncCarmen Moss DMDCullman Internal MedicineCullman Regional Medical CenterCullman Rotary ClubHeritage Diagnostic CenterWebb Wheel Products, Inc.

To sponsor a student contactjmoore@cullmanchamber.org

The 2013-14 Youth Leadership Classsponsored by Merchants Bank had anopportunity to visit area volunteerorganizations at the November session.EvaBank sponsored the session and LynnDay and Blake Tanner of EvaBank wereon hand to speak with the students at thebeginning of the session.The students spent the morning workingat Cullman Caring for Kids. NancyBryant and Javon Daniel were on handto provide info to the students on all theprograms that are facilitated through theorganization. The students stockedshelves and had an opportunity to learnthe value of this organization. Thestudents stopped by the United Way forlunch and in the afternoon the studentswere given an opportunity to visit with

Session: Volunteer DaySponsored by: EVABANK

Melissa Betts at the First United MethodistChurch of Cullman to learn about theknapsack program. This programprovides weekend food for children atWest Elementary. The students learnedhow valuable and necessary this programis and were given the resources to workon this program at their school.

On behalf of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s GovernmentalAffairs Committee, we would like to invite you to attend a panel presenta-tion on the “State of the Community” sponsored by Freedom Insurance -Gloria Williams Agency on January 16. The event will be held at the TPCountry Club from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Each of the 11 municipalities of Cullman County have been invited to speak.BAILEYTONCOLONYCULLMANDODGE CITYFAIRVIEWGARDEN CITYGOOD HOPEHANCEVILLEHOLLY PONDSOUTH VINEMONTWEST POINT

The purpose of this forum is to provide the county and each of the munici-palities in Cullman County the opportunity to share information on their com-munity with Chamber members and the business community.

Thank you also to our program sponsor Premier Bank of the South

Chamber to host “State of theCommunity” on January 16

Thank you to ourBreakfast Sponsor:CHICK-FIL-ACHICK-FIL-ACHICK-FIL-ACHICK-FIL-ACHICK-FIL-A

DEC. 12, 2013“LOCAL GOVERNMENT”

CULLMANCOUNTY

LEADERSHIPSESSION

Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce - Eyes of Progress - December 2013

Nominate yourfavorite smallbusiness todayThe Retail Committee of the CullmanArea Chamber of Commerce isproud to provide special recognitionto our small business community bypresenting one (1) monthlyrecognition award and one (1) yearlyaward. Monthly award winners willbe considered the nominees for theyearly recognition award to bepresented at the Cullman AreaChamber of Commerce AnnualMeeting held each February. VisitCullmanChamber.org to show somelove to your favorite business.

SMALL BUSINESS

OF THE MONTH

1115 4th Street SW,Cullman, AL 35055

(256) 734-5673www.wernerstradingco.com

www.bellafaire.com

Brought to you by:

Chamber helped to celebrategrowth in the Cullman area

Fairview Feed and Farm Supply7525 Alabama Hwy 69, Cullman

www.CullmanChamber.org

Campaign Chair:Vicki Hawsey Karolewics,

Wallace State Community College

Campaign Vice-Chairs:Charlie NeSmith,

Merchants Bank of AlabamaTerri McGriff-Waldrop,

ERA Waldrop Real EstateGloria Williams,

Freedom Insurance AgencyBilly Coleman,

Cullman County Schools

Please bring your new,unwrapped items to the

Chamber by December 20.

ALL DONATIONS GO TO CULLMANAREA FAMILIES IN NEED

Toys for Children - ClothingGeneral Needs

Christmas in the Cullman areaAs we approach the Christmas season,all of Cullman County will be bustlingwith activites of the season.Please be sure to check theChamber’s event calendar online atwww.CullmanChamber.org regularlyso you don’t miss out on these greatspecials and events.If your business will be offering spe-cials, events or a way for the commu-nity to “GIVE BACK” during the holi-days, please be sure to send a link tothe Chamber so that we can post it onour facebook page and our calendarof events. Email your information toinfo@cullmanchamber.org.

CoC TRC reaches record totalThe Cullman Area Chamber of Com-merce, volunteers, sponsors and staffgathered together on October 24 tocelebrate the end of the Chamber’sfirst annual 10-week Total ResourceCampaign and announce the final totalof more than $200,000, the largestamount ever raised for the campaign.The presenting sponsor for the eventwas Freedom Insurance Agency.Eleven corporate teams consisting of80 volunteers sold sponsorships to theChamber’s programs, meetings, eventsand publications – all of which is re-turned to Chamber members and thecommunity in the form of business-building initiatives.We would like thank you to our lead-ership again for their service to theChamber and our community:

Team Captains:Susan Copeland,

Cullman Regional Medical CenterGinger Hogeland,

Cullman County SchoolsMike Donaldson,

Quality Staffing Solution, Inc.Sally Hulgan,

Freedom Insurance AgencyKrystal Armstrong,

The Cullman TimesJosh Speakman,

Brandin’ Iron SteakhouseTaylor Ponder,

ERA Waldrop Real EstateChristy Turner,

City of Cullman Parks &Recreation Department

Melea Milam,Jones and Milwee, LLC.

Joyce Fuller,WCQT/TV27

Kim Arndt,Cullman Electric Cooperative

TRC Presenting Sponsor:Freedom Insurance,The Gloria Williams Agency

TRC Kick-Off Party Sponsor:ERA Waldrop Real Estate

TRC Victory Party Sponsor: Cullman Regional Medical CenterTRC Reward Session Sponsors:

Traditions BankFrom the Heart GiftsEdward Jones Financial

Wallace State Community CollegeCullman Electric Cooperative