We were back in-person this year after having the last 3 pandemic-era years of virtual programs (in partnership with InterAct Story Theatre).
Our 39th Annual Community Awards Banquet was on October 18, 2023 at 6:00 pm
See photos of the 2023 Awards Banquet in Hollywood East Cafe
View photos of our 2023 Gala Dinner by Madeline Marshall
This annual awards dinner is a hallmark event of the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber. We celebrate the connection and goodwill between citizens, businesses, and public safety workers in the Wheaton & Kensington community. We always ask the community to help us give thanks to those receiving these well-deserved annual awards.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Hollywood East Café / 240-290-9988
11160 Veirs Mill Road, in Westfield Wheaton Mall, Wheaton, MD 20902
The Chamber honored Montgomery Housing Partnership with the 2023 Tribute Award in recognition of their significant contributions in preserving and expanding access to quality affordable housing as a nonprofit real estate developer, and helping to improve stability for low- and moderate-income families. MHP provides more than 2,800 homes in Montgomery County MD, and surrounding communities. They are also a generous sponsor of our Holiday Mixers and Annual Awards, and a wonderful supporter of the WK Chamber.
Download Annual Awards Banquet flyer
The public was invited to attend and help us recognize Mid-County Community Heroes, and the individuals and groups making a difference in our community!
RSVP and buy tickets
$50 by October 13 / $55 starting October 14 / $60 at the door
Dressy Business / Cocktail Attire
View the Bios of the 2023 Award Winners
~ The 2023 Award Winners ~
The 2023 Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce Tribute Award
Montgomery Housing Partnership, Rob Goldman accepted
The Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Citizen of the Year Award
Samnang Wu
The Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Outstanding Organization of the Year Award
Oak Chapel United Methodist Church
The WUDAC Outstanding Business Leader of the Year Award
Lene Tsegaye of Kefa Café
The WUDAC Best Property Improvement of the Year Award
The Caramelo Bakery Mural by artist Eric B. Ricks for The Art & Walkability Project, Skokum LLC property owner
The 4th District Police Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Corporal David Schramm
The Wheaton Rescue Squad Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Master Firefighter Zachary Fergusson-Williams
The Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Lieutenant David Breitman
The Chamber Member of the Year Award
Henry Molina, Lafayette Federal Credit Union
The Chamber Business of the Year Award
Ledo Pizza Wheaton
The Chamber President’s Special Award
Dan Thompson, Wheaton Arts Parade
A big thank you to our 2023 Community Awards Sponsors:
Community Champions
Appliance Distributors Unlimited / Fitzgerald Auto Mall-Wheaton / Greenhill Realty Company / IHOP Wheaton / M&T Bank
Community Heroes
AQUAS, Incorporated / Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center / Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County / Kensington Park Senior Living / Los Chorros Restaurant / Montgomery Housing Partnership / Vicky Surles of VSurles Graphics
Community Partners
Lafayette Federal Credit Union / Town of Kensington / WorkSource Montgomery
Community Supporters
Edward Jones / JOA Real Estate Group / Kensington Volunteer Fire Department / Kenneth N. Nelson / Wheaton Shopping Center
Community Advocates
The Baskin Group / La Gelatteria / Letterforms Typography & Graphic Design / Sebrof-Forbes Cultural Arts Center / Wheaton Studio of Dance
Businesses are invited to Sponsor the Annual Community Awards
Find out about the Benefits of being an Annual Awards Sponsor
~ Sponsorship Opportunities ~
Community Champion – $1000
Full page ad in the program
Company logo and name in program
Recognition at event
Reserved table for 8
Community Hero – $500
Company logo and name in program
Sponsor of the Public Safety Awards
Recognition at event
4 complimentary tickets
Community Partner – $275
Company logo in program
Company name in program
Recognition at event
2 complimentary tickets
Community Supporter – $150
Company logo and name in program
Recognition at event
1 complimentary ticket
Community Advocate – $90
Company name listed in program
Recognition at event
1 complimentary ticket
Become an Annual Awards Sponsor!
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The 38th Annual Community Awards was a Virtual Event in partnership with InterAct Story Theatre
Out of caution, the COVID-19 public health crisis caused us to revise our normal Awards Banquet for a third year. We again moved the Awards online and gave out the awards and thanked our sponsors virtually.
The 2022 Awards was broadcast from the InterAct Story Theatre studio, and could be enjoyed from the comfort of home!
The Zoom AwardsCast was on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
~ Watch the 2022 Annual Awards video on our Facebook page.
The Annual Awards is always a hallmark event of the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber. We celebrated the connection and goodwill between citizens, businesses, and public safety workers in the Wheaton & Kensington community. And we asked the community to help us give thanks to those receiving these well-deserved annual awards.
The Chamber honored Kensington Park Senior Living with the 2022 Tribute Award. In recognition of their great service in providing a higher level and enhanced care beyond that of a traditional assisted senior living community. Residents can participate in a variety of programs that are also offered to the public, including cooking classes and lectures. Kensington Park hosts numerous fundraisers and food drives, and is a true supporter of the Chamber.
~ The 2022 Award Winners ~
The 2022 Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce Tribute Award
Kensington Park Senior Living, Mary Mell accepted
The Mid-County Citizen’s Advisory Board Citizen of the Year Award
Wendy Howard, Executive Director, One Montgomery Green
The Mid-County Citizen’s Advisory Board Outstanding Association of the Year Award
Faith Community Baptist Church, Pastor James E. Boney and First Lady Barbara Boney
The WUDAC Outstanding Business Leader of the Year Award
Pedro Matamoros of Frank’s Burger Place
The WUDAC Best Property Improvement of the Year Award
Ooh La La Bakery, Co-owner Luis Velasco
The 4th District Police Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Officer Sean McKinney
The Wheaton Rescue Squad Public Safety Award
William “Bill” Dunlap
The Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Too Many Great Members to Recognize and Nominate
The Chamber Member of the Year Award
Carmen Larson, AQUAS, Inc. and HCCMC
The Chamber Business of the Year Award
Signal Financial Federal Credit Union
The Chamber President’s Award
Wendy K. Howard
The Secret Chamber Appreciation Award
Jack Marshall
This AwardsCast Event was open to Chamber members and non-members at no charge. Advance Registration was Required.
Sincere thanks to the 2022 Community Awards Sponsors
Community Champions
Fitzgerald Auto Mall-Wheaton / Greenhill Realty Company / Signal Financial Federal Credit Union
Community Heroes
Appliance Distributors Unlimited / AQUAS, Incorporated / Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center / Griswold Home Care, Aspen Hill-Montgomery / Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County / IHOP Wheaton / InterAct Story Theatre / Jubilee Association of MD, Inc. / Kensington Park Senior Living / Los Chorros Restaurant / Washington Property Company
Community Partners
Ewing, Hines & Associates / Frank’s Burger Place / Friends of Omar Lazo / Kensington House Apartments / Marc Elrich for County Executive / Montgomery Housing Partnership / SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensington / Town of Kensington
Community Supporters
Kensington Volunteer Fire Department / Letterforms Typography & Graphic Design / Natali for Council / Kenneth N. Nelson / Wheaton Shopping Center
Community Advocates
Onder Communications / One Montgomery Green / WH Consulting / Wheaton Studio of Dance
Community Donors
Academy of Professional Barber/Stylists
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In 2021, the 37th Annual Community Awards was a Virtual Event in partnership with InterAct Story Theatre
The 2021 Awards was broadcast from the InterAct Story Theatre studio, that could be enjoyed from the comfort of home!
~ Watch the 2021 Annual Awards video on our Facebook page.
The Zoom AwardsCast was on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
The Annual Awards is a hallmark event of the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber. We celebrate the connection and goodwill between citizens, businesses, schools, and public safety workers in the Wheaton & Kensington community. And we ask the community to help us give thanks to those receiving these well-deserved annual awards.
The Chamber honored the Town of Kensington, Tracey Furman, Mayor with the 2021 Tribute Award. In recognition of all that goes into making Kensington such a vibrant and desirable place to live. Mayor Furman’s beautification efforts and support of the arts enhances the town that is host to numerous annual and seasonal community events, from parades, to concerts, to art shows and street festivals; and has been a great supporter of the Chamber.
This AwardsCast Event was open to Chamber members and non-members at no charge. Advance Registration was Required.
~ The 2021 Award Winners ~
The 2021 Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce Tribute Award
Town of Kensington, Tracey Furman, Mayor
The Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Citizen of the Year Award
Pastor Diana Wingeier, Hughes Methodist Church/Hub
The Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Outstanding Organization of the Year Award
Up 2 Us Foundation
The WUDAC Outstanding Business Leader of the Year Award
Stuart Amos, General Manager of Westfield Wheaton
The WUDAC Best Property Improvement of the Year Award
Islands Lounge Mural, Owner Paul Daly
The 4th District Police Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Officer Fritz Calderon
The Wheaton Rescue Squad Public Safety Award
The Entire Volunteer Membership of the WVRS
The Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept Public Safety Officer of the Year Award
Makoto Tanigawa
The Chamber Member of the Year Award
Omar Lazo, Owner of Los Chorros Restaurant
The Chamber Business of the Year Award
Gourmet Inspirations, Owner Andrew Quach
The Chamber Memorial Award
Kathleen Thompson (R.I.P. March 3, 2021)
The Chamber Appreciation Award
Ali Oliver-Krueger, InterAct Story Theatre
(Regretfully, there were no High School Student or Teacher Awards)
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The COVID-19 pandemic had forced us to cancel our original Awards Banquet in April 2020. We moved the Annual Awards online and still gave out the awards, and thanked our sponsors!
In 2020, the 36th Annual Community Awards was a Virtual Event in partnership with InterAct Story Theatre
The Awards were broadcast from the InterAct Story Theatre studio, and were enjoyed from the comfort of home!
You can still watch the 2020 Annual Awards Presentation video from your computer, tablet or phone on the Chamber’s Facebook page.
This Zoom AwardsCast was on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
The Annual Awards is a hallmark event of the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber. We celebrate the connection and goodwill between citizens, businesses, schools, and public safety workers in the Wheaton & Kensington community. And we ask the community to help us give thanks to those receiving these well-deserved annual awards.
The Chamber honored IHOP Wheaton Restaurant with the Tribute Award. It is one of the most well-recognized restaurants in downtown Wheaton, and is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year! IHOP Wheaton’s significant community service and contributions help to sustain and strengthen the local community, and it has been a great supporter of the Chamber.
This AwardsCast Event was open to Chamber members and non-members at no charge. Advance Registration was Required.
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The 35th Annual Community Awards Banquet was on April 24, 2019 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Hollywood East Cafe
The Chamber honored Los Chorros Restaurant in 2019. This “mom and pop” restaurant with authentic Mexican and Salvadorian taste and at-home feel was celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year! In 1989 Pedro and Reina Lazo opened their own restaurant after 12 years of experience in the Mexican and Salvadorian food industry, and began as a 75-seat, carryout style restaurant.
– After a renovation and expansion in 1995, Los Chorros grew to seat 175, with a full bar. The day-to-day operations have since been handed over to their two sons, Omar and Jason Lazo, who maintain the authentic tastes and feel, and they have also expanded their community service.
– This tribute was given in recognition of their significant contributions, and quality food and service since 1989 in the Wheaton & Kensington Community.
For over 25 years, the Chamber has recognized the area high school students and also included monetary gifts provided by the various sponsors. The Chamber has been committed to encouraging local businesses to mentor the students destined to become future leaders.
