In this challenging year for our communities and around the world, the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce, which has recognized businesses and community leaders for 34 years with its Salute to Business and Industry Awards, will honor and thank “community heroes” when it holds its awards celebration on December 1, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The celebration will be held outdoors as a drive-in event on the parking lot of Cumberland Mutual in Hopewell. Dinner will be served to guests in their vehicles as they arrive. Vehicles will be guided to reserved parking spaces where there will be sufficient space to bring chairs and sit near your cars if you wish or you may stay in your cars.

There will be a stage for presentations, a giant HD screen where the presentations may be seen live and where photo and video introductions will be shown. Audio will be available via a public address system and via your car’s FM radio. The cost is $35 per person.

The Chamber will join with the community to honor individuals, groups of individuals, organizations and businesses who have selflessly worked to sustain and strengthen people and other organizations by demonstrating their “Hometown Heart.”

Their service, character, courage, and achievements will be honored, not just to thank them, but to inspire others to support their efforts and to become Community heroes themselves.

Chamber Chairperson Carol Musso, and Salute to Business Chairperson Laurie LaTorre,are proud to announce the Hometown Hero awards and the Lifetime Achievement and Community Leadership awards for 2020.

• Dr. Robin Weinstein (Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award)

• Mayor Bruce Hankins (Francis Sharp Lifetime Achievement Award)

• Angelia Edwards and Martha Price, Manna from Heaven

• Rylee Howerton and Queens 4 a Cause

• Madison Stiles and Queens 4 a Cause

• Chris Hannah & Cole, the Deaf Dog – The Team Cole Project

• Marco Cruz

• Betty Shrouder

• Millie Irizarry Sanchez

• CompleteCare Health Network

• Inspira Health

• Cumberland County Government and Health Departments

• The Heroes Foundation and Pepi Dragotta

• The Salvation Army Bridgeton Corps and Lt. Melissa Lowell

• Golden Pigeon Restaurant

• Innovation Foods

Presenting sponsors are Century Savings Bank and Inspira Health. Cumberland Mutual is the venue sponsor. Print Signs and Designs and Dutch Neck Landscaping are providing complimentary stadium blankets to those in attendance. For more information on attending, and sponsoring, see baccnj.com/hero or call 856-455-1312.