America has always been about local, small businesses. The ability for a person or a group of people to take an idea to fruition and materialize it has been the hallmark of the American Dream. To this end, local communities establish many avenues and groups to help facilitate small businesses thrive. One of these groups is the Chamber of Commerce.
In St. John, the Chamber of Commerce meets once a month as a way for local businesses to reach out to one another, supporting each other and growing not only their own business, but each business in the community. This isn’t just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because when businesses cooperate to support each other, the local economy thrives.
This month, the Chamber met at Teibel’s Family Restaurant in Schererville to celebrate the holidays.
“We get everyone together every year for a holiday party,” said Ryan Spangler, President of the St. John Chamber of Commerce, and a State Farm Insurance Agent. “Normally we’re at the St. John VFW, but we dress up our normal meeting for Christmas time.”
But this luncheon, according to Spangler, is all about having a good time, and letting everyone know what’s going on around town.
“We have a couple of raffles and gift bags,” continued Spangler. “We’ll also collect for Not-For-Profit chamber members and donate to their worthy causes.”
Today saw almost 80 people attend the event, catered by Tiebel’s staff. With delicious food being quickly brought to a dozen tables, Spangler announced the changing of the guard, with several members of the board moving on from their positions, and honored Bill Burke, who had served for six consecutive years on the Chamber Board.
One such board member who was moving on was Maricela Avila, Branch Manager for 1st Midwest Bank in Schererville.
“I’ve been a board member for two years,” Avila stated. “This is my last month being a board member as I’m moving into a different territory.”
Avila loves events like this because they afford her an opportunity to get to know her neighbors better.
“These events are about businesses coming together, networking and having a good time,” Avila explained. “We get to know each other better and what’s around the neighborhood. So, if we need anything, we know who we can call upon.”
It wasn’t just businesses that were there, but also Not-For-Profits like the Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation, represented by Donna Criner, who is the nonprofit’s Executive Director.
“We support local families whose kids are in cancer treatment in the local six counties,” Criner said. “The Chamber helps us connect with businesses who are willing to sponsor our two fundraisers every year; The Mark Hill Golf Outing on June 1st, and the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Gala on Sept 8th and 9th.”
For members of the chamber, and of the St. John community, the American Dream still is alive and well. Events and organizations like these help solidify and strengthen our economy, so that our children, and those of St. John, Indiana, will have a robust community to grow up in.
For more information on the St. John Chamber of commerce, please visit https://stjohnchamber.com/