The volunteer of the year is more of an in-house honor where we recognize the person who has helped the chamber with their program of work throughout the year. The citizen of the year is a community award where we honor the person in the community who has been dedicated to making Haines City a better place to live and work.

From 1990 to 2005, we added 4,500 citizens in Haines City, and of that, about 4,000 or more were Hispanics.

They have a lovely new banquet facility. They are also a chamber member and we like to support our chamber members.

I am expecting 200 people. The banquet facility can hold 300 people, so I am expecting a good turnout.