Por Jeff Clemetson | Editor<\/p>\n
Every year, chambers of commerces all over the region hold formal dinners to usher in their new boards of directors. When Mary England formed the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce 11 years ago, she wanted her chamber dinner to have something more to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to incorporate a little bit of the strength of our community in addition to having the dinner,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
That bit of community strength is The Salute to Local Heroes \u2014 an event honoring emergency service personnel from La Mesa Police, Heartland Fire, paramedics and RSVP volunteers.<\/p>\n
Every year, each department names two heroes who stood out in their field. In years past, these local heroes included paramedics who saved a gunshot victim, a police officer who used quick thinking to track down a stolen car, and a fire-rescue canine officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past when I write the text for the evening program, I\u2019ve had tears in my eyes for what these people have accomplished and why they were chosen \u2014 saving lives,\u201d England said. \u201cThese are people who go to work every day, do their job and we get to just have the flavor of what they do for one night.\u201d<\/p>\n
That night this year\u2019s event is on March 14. The 11th annual Salute to Local Heroes will once again be held at the Town & Country Resort Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley starting at 5 p.m. Like all years past, this event will have a theme: \u201cPuttin\u2019 On The Ritz.\u201d<\/p>\n
England likes the themes because they create a \u201cparty atmosphere\u201d but she stressed that attendees are not required to dress up \u2014 business casual or business attire is perfectly acceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the chambers have black ties, we don\u2019t do that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In addition to voting in the new board of directors and honoring the heroes, the chamber event includes an auction, a full course plated meal \u2014 vegan and gluten-free options available \u2014 and a cash bar.<\/p>\n
Tickets for this year are $95 for individuals; $170 for a couple; and $700 for groups of eight. All pricing includes parking. Tickets are available through the chamber website, lamesachamber.com, or by calling 619-456-7700.<\/p>\n
Like all La Mesa Chamber of Commerce events, Salute to Local Heroes is open to the public \u2014 not just chamber members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether people are active in our community or not active in our community, this is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the strength of the community. That is really the essence of the night,\u201d England said.<\/p>\n