It’s officially autumn and that means we’re getting very close to the holiday season. As the leaves fall, and the air turns colder, our thoughts turn to heating our homes, getting ready for family gatherings, and buying gifts for the holidays.

This is a great time to also start thinking about those in our community who are less fortunate. The Chamber of Commerce is kicking off our annual Gerry Wiles Holiday Food Basket program at our annual dinner meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

For a donation of $25, the Chamber will purchase a food basket for a family in Franklin County. These baskets are delivered through the food banks in the area, as well as to families who send in approved requests to the Chamber.

Last year’s program enabled us to provide over 100 holiday food baskets to families in Franklin County. Unfortunately, the need is much greater. But with your help, we can once again surpass our goals and provide to those in our communities who need it the most. Everyone who donates a $25 basket will have a gold-colored balloon at their table during our annual meeting.

One of my favorite parts of our annual dinner meeting is recognizing the local Chamber members who have been nominated for Business of the Year awards. Every year, we provide a list of chamber members grouped by small, medium, large, and non-profit, for people to select from and nominate as businesses of the year.

The three nominees from each category are announced at the annual dinner on Nov. 12, and the winners in each category are recognized with a plaque, photos, and much fanfare that evening.

Anybody can nominate a business from the lists in this publication. Simply circle your choice (one from each category) and send it in to the Chamber office by Nov. 4. Mail to: P.O. Box 123, Farmington, Me 04938. Or you may email your choices to info@franklincountymaine.org. In order to make the list, a business must be a Chamber member in good standing for the past three years.

If you would like to attend our annual dinner meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the UMF North Dining Hall, contact the Chamber office at 207-778-4215 or email info@franklincountymaine.org.

The cost is $30 per person which includes appetizers/social hour from 5:15-6 p.m., a mini concert by T-Acadie — a world-renowned Celtic music group, and a fabulous dinner buffet. Our annual awards and meeting follows the dinner, and the evening wraps up around 8 p.m.

We hope to see you there!