By Stacey Thureen

bedford@wickedlocal.com

STAFF/The Bedford Minuteman

The Bedford Chamber of Commerce celebrated its own members and for the first time, a young person from the community.

On Wednesday evening, April 25, more than 50 people attended the Bedford Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and celebration, sponsored by Cambridge Savings Bank and The UPS Store.

Among this year's award line up featured a brand new award - the Ray of Hope. This award was given to a high school student who has performed outstanding service to the Bedford community by his or her actions and served as an excellent role model for peers.
Modeled after an award given in Needham, and in collaboration with Youth Family Services, The Ray of Hope Award was created in recognition that young people and their development are important to the overall function of the local community.
Elle Thompson was this year's award recipient. A senior at Bedford High School, she was the team captain for the Relay for Life Cancer Research Fundraiser, a Best Buddies volunteer and a member of the Red Cross and Interact Club.

Thompson was nominated by Suzanne Johnson who said, "Elle is very personable and giving of herself, and has served as a caring, trustworthy and energetic role model for her peers. She has demonstrated her willingness to help whenever needed and share her talents with our church and the larger Bedford community."
Awards presented for the evening were for Business Person of the Year, which went to Kevin Sullivan of DSA Printing; Business of the Year, which went to iRobot; Diversity Award, which went to Elm Brook Place; Ray of Hope Award, which went to Elle Thompson; and Outstanding Service to the Chamber, which went to Dani De Paris.
The chamber has been serving the Bedford community for 40 years with a mission to advance the economic, industrial, professional, cultural and civic welfare of the Town of Bedford.

"Tonight is an opportunity to recognize people in the Bedford community and to celebrate what the chamber has done in the past year," said Bedford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maureen Sullivan. "We get to look back on last year and look ahead to a new one."

The evening was set at the Double tree Bedford Glen Hotel and started off with registration and cocktails, followed by an award ceremony, dinner and dessert, and entertainment by corporate magician David Hall.

"I stepped into the role as Chamber president three and a half months ago," said Snap Fusion Finance Manager Josh Cohen. "There has been a lot of good work already done. I want to thank Maureen - she's the glue of this organization. And I want to thank the last Chamber president, Pam Brown, who did a great job and built a foundation for the chamber."
To learn more about the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, including upcoming events on May 12 and May 17, and how you can get involved visit bedfordchamber.org.

WHY:

To honor Judy Mirel Bedford's Early Childhood Coordinator who is retiring after 35 years.

What you can do:

1) Purchase an element of area..prices range from $100-$3000.

2) Donate money.3) Volunteer servicesa. mason

b. workers to install items

c. people to build elements

d. people to help create landscape

e. plantings

f. artist to create mural

 Each month, Executive Director Maureen Sullivan tapes the Chamber Connections at the Bedford Tv Studio. Check out the links below of who she has interviewed and if you are  interested in being a guest, email her at bcoc@bedfordchamber.org

 Joan Turnberg - Live LIfe Well
 

Dr. Jean Marc Slak ~ Slak Chiropractic Group

Lea Ann Knight ~ Garrison KNight Financial

The Goddard School

Brookline Bank

Kristen Presley/Bedford VA

Karen Kenney/ OrganizingWorks

JRM Antiques

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