Each year, the East Haven Chamber of Commerce seeks out the helpers, the donators, the sponsors—those responsible for promoting a sense of community in town. The goal is to recognize exemplary individuals and businesses at its annual dinner and awards ceremony, this year set for Wednesday, May 16.

“We try to get the public involved in the nomination process,” said Jennifer Higham, president of the East Haven Chamber of Commerce.

The awards are decided primarily on the basis of the number of nominations that are received. The chamber tries to find new recipients each year, if possible. One is a business that’s been in town a long time: Stop & Shop East Haven, this year’s New Chamber Business of the Year, an award given to the “newest member that’s stepped up to the plate,” according to Higham.

The store only recently became a chamber member, but over the years it has donated to the town’s tree lighting event and the chamber’s golf tournament.

“It’s not just a grocery store,” Higham said. “These are people that contribute to the community and to the chamber and make things better and help out.”

The Nonprofit of the Year is the East Haven Police Athletic League, a new organization that matches students aged 8 to 16 with police officer mentors for karate or boxing classes.

“It’s a program that provides positive interaction between the police officers and town youth through athletics,” said Higham.

This year’s Community Service Award will go to Frank Gentilesco.

“He’s done so much volunteering—the Fall Festival, the Rotary, the fireworks,” said Higham, “and he’s been doing it for a lot of years.”

The recipient of the Chamber Business of the Year Award is the Rib House, run by John and Cathy Finkle.

“They’ve supported us, they’ve helped out with events. They’ve come to the chamber and helped us out throughout the year,” said Higham.

This year’s Best Business After Hours of the Year Award will go to the Village at Mariner’s Point, which often lends its venue to the chamber for luncheons.

“They really go above and beyond for us,” said Higham.

According to Joanne Mallinson, chairman of the annual dinner, the awards event has gone on for about 35 years, beginning just a few years after the East Haven Chamber was founded. It began with four categories; today, the chamber recognizes a Student of the Year and an Educator of the Year, too.

“It’s nice because it gives us the opportunity not only to acknowledge the folks in the business sector, but we also have a strong presence with educators and students in our community, too,” Mallinson said. “We’re kind of a liaison between the town and businesses, and also the school system.”

This year’s Student of the Year is East Haven High School senior Adam Perrotti. Perrotti is a student leader who’s volunteered in numerous areas. One of his major accomplishments is the Hive, a 500-member school spirit club that cheers on student athletes.

“He got a ton of nominations for that,” said Higham. “It’s really nice when you see that, people get excited about it.”

The Educator of the Year is Julie Church, a teacher at East Haven Academy who has worked at seven schools throughout the district.

“Her name came up 10 times,” said Higham. “We want to make sure we recognize someone that is helping our kids along.”

The evening also includes the chamber’s installation of new and current board members. This year, George Smith will be installed as the chamber’s director; the chamber’s renewals are board members Mallinson, Carmine Montuori, and Joseph Zullo.

“We’re excited about this year’s recipients and we’re hoping for a wonderful turnout from our community,” Mallinson said.

The East Haven Chamber of Commerce presents its 2018 Awards for Business and Community on Wednesday, May 16 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Seasons (formerly the Country House), 990 Foxon Road. The cost is $50. For more information or tickets, visit www.easthavenchamber.com.