Over 500 guests braved the chilly weather to enjoy the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala Shaken Not Stirred. With cocktails, an awards ceremony, dinner, and dancing, guests were able to enjoy a pleasant evening while advocating business growth.
“It’s a great community event,” said President and CEO of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Sue Reed. “It’s our opportunity to give back to the community. We recognize people from the Merrillville and Crown Point area tonight.’’
Click here to see all the photos from the Shaken Not Stirred Gala.
Those in attendance were able to enjoy cocktails while bidding on items from the silent auction including everything from a signed Ernie Banks Jersey to an overnight stay at Hampton Inn.
“It’s a celebration of the business community. Every year it gets bigger and better. It’s one of our larger fundraisers of the year. It’s kind of celebration of two communities” said Shawn Pettit, Chairman of the 2015 Gala Committee.
The awards presentation followed cocktails, honoring many people from the community.
Based off the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, and wisdom, the Athena award is presented to an individual who demonstrates professional excellence, is active in community service, and who assists women in achieving excellence. This year marked the 29th year of celebrating women with this award and was sponsored by First Midwest Bank. The award was presented to Violet Sistovaris, Senior Executive in Northern Indiana Public Service Company, NiSource, and overseer of operations of NIPSCO. Sistovaris is on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. She also contributes to Opportunity Enterprises, One Region, Step Up Organization, Indiana Energy Association, and Indiana Chamber. On top of that, alongside a partner she developed NiSource Women Initiative which now supports over 700 women in developed leadership skills.
“It really is an honor. All the nominees have done so much for women in the area. I am very humbled. I am also so grateful that Nipsco is able to highlight some of the wonderful things women are doing in not only in the community, but in the company as well.” said Sistovaris.
Other awards of the evening included: Inspiring Educator of the Year, Ashley Plumley & Kristina Buikema, City of Crown Point Firefighter of the Year, Keith Anderson, Town of Merrillville Firefighter of the Year, Jeff Chess, City of Crown Point Police Officer of the Year, Patrolman Dan Lee, Town of Merrillville Police Officer of the Year, Officer Ian Fultz.
Firefighter Keith Anderson has saved lives in not only Crown Point, but also Guatemala. Anderson first began volunteering at orphanages in Guatemala in 2007. He then got involved in the Guatemalan Fire Department, which is completely volunteer based. He has continually gotten equipment from our area to be donated and transported for the Guatemalan Fire Department to be used. “We brought down a Jaws of Life on an airplane,” said Anderson. “It actually cost $400 extra because it exceeded the suggested weight. It was worth it to us though, because we knew the country only has three or four total. The department ended up saving a child’s life two days after we brought it to them.”
Following awards was dinner and dancing.
“Anytime you can bring multiple communities together for the common goal of our region is a good thing. We’re all in this together,” said Crown Point Mayor David Uran.
Being able to advocate local business, honor community members, and enjoy an evening with friends and coworkers made the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala Shaken Not Stirred a successful evening.
“There is an incredible amount of support from across the region for this gala,” said Chris Mahlmann, CEO of Ideas In Motion Media. “As a new board member, I am very honored to be participating and it’s great to make new relationships while saying hello to old friends.”
Sponsors included: Avalon Springs Health Campus, Ashley Furniture, Burke Costanza & Carberry LLC, Calumet Park Cemetery, Inc., Centier Bank, Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd, City of Crown Point, Commercial Cooling & Heating, Community Title Company, Contour Media, Faegre Baker Daniels, Geisen Funeral Homes, Indiana American Water Co., Lakeshore EMS, Modern Forge Indiana LLC, Polycon Industries Inc, Post-Tribune, Robinson Engineering Ltd, Standard Bank & Trust CO, Town of Merrillville, Town of Merrillville Police Department, CORE Construction Indiana LLC, Markey’s Rental & Staging, Saint Joseph’s College, Cedar Creek Health Campus, First Merchants Bank, First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, Horizon Bank, Johnson Controls, Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, McShane’s Inc, Pathway to Adventure, Boy Scouts of America, Peoples Bank, Ryland Homes, Superior Ambulance Service, White’s Residential and Family Services Inc.