“Night of Giving”

                The Greater Smithfield Chamber of Commerce sponsored the fifth annual “Night of Giving” benefit at Sky View High School on Nov. 19, raising over $15,000. The money will go to families in needs living in Smithfield area this holiday season.

                “This year was the best turn out that we have had,” the Chamber’s Executive Director Stacey Dority said. “We had planned to cater 200 people.” The event sold 214 tickets.

                With the money raised, the board of directors hopes to help close to 40 families with purchasing gifts and food for Christmas, Dority said. Some money also goes toward paying past due utility bills for several other families.

                The families that benefit from the “Night of Giving” donations are selected randomly by the board of directors from recommendations suggested by community members and school personnel.

    “Many of the families are struggling from being laid off and the poor economy,” Dority said.

                Along with a dinner catered by Culinary Concepts of Smithfield, there was a live auction directed by auctioneers Lane and Jared Parker. There were decorated Christmas trees and wreaths that attendees bid on.

                Community members and businesses donated gift items that were used for a silent auction, Dority said. Those items were things that people would normally buy a person as a gift for Christmas.

                “Alpine Cleaning donated a gift set for a boy and a girl. They had a grill and kitchen set and a bunch of other things,” Chamber President Bart Caley said.

                Along with the money raised from this specific event, Sunrise Elementary students are donating to the Chamber’s fund for those families as well.  Each teacher has donation jar for their students to donate, Principal Kathy Toolson said. They will turn the proceeds in on Dec. 10.

                The Chamber also sponsors many events during Health Days including the Birch Creek Golf Tournament. The money from this benefit go to local schools. This past tournament, they were able to donate $5,000 to Birch Creek Elementary.

                “Not many people even know the Greater Smithfield Chamber of Commerce even exists,” Dority said. “We have grown a lot in the last five years though mostly due to word-of-mouth.”

                The Greater Smithfield Chamber of Commerce was designed to help the northern part of Cache County, Dority said. It currently has over 40 businesses registered with it.

                “It is all done by donation of time and our talents,” Dority said about the Chamber’s board members.

L. Rios