Chamber of Commerce cancels Christmas Store; Banquet due to COVID

The Blackwell Area Chamber of Commerce have cancelled their highly anticipated Children's Christmas Store and their Annual Chamber Banquet, usually held in December and January respectively, in light of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic .



“We are deeply saddened by the necessary move, as we are sure the children will be too,” the Chamber said in a statement released just before Thanksgiving, “it is an event we treasure and delight in providing for our community. It is our sincere hope we will be able to offer this event in 2021.” 



The Children's Christmas Store would have held its 11th year this December. Hosted at the Youth Center before moving to the Blackwell Event Center, the store provided small gifts and goodie bags for children to “buy” for their parents with the assistance of volunteers who would also help them wrap and prepare the gifts. 



The statement continued:

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Additionally, the Annual Chamber Banquet usually held in late January has also been cancelled. We do still plan to present awards to our wonderful Chamber businesses, volunteers, directors, etc, but in a virtual format. So be watching for a video production on the Chamber's Facebook page.” 



The Chamber Banquet is an awards ceremony which highlights residents and businesses in the Blackwell Area, including the “I Am Blackwell” award for community excellence.