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Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors to date. More are welcome!

HERO CELEBRATION INVITATION to Follow.

VIDEO CLIP INTRODUCING THIS YEAR'S HEROES to Follow.

Proudly Honoring Business and Community Heroes:

Now in its 40th year, the annual awards program has become one of Cumberland County's most inspiring traditions. Tickets are $85 per person, and the evening will celebrate those who exemplify the Chamber's values of "Hometown Heart" and "Love Where You Live."

"Our Chamber is so proud to have a history of forty years of recognizing businesses, organizations, individuals, and groups whose hard work, success, and true concern for their employees and our community have contributed to the greatness of our area," said Jonathan Cummings, President of the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Their stories are touching, meaningful, and remind us of the hometown heroes that surround us, help us, and care so much about our communities," Cummings added. "This is an event you do not want to miss if you want to have your spirits lifted and get reminders of why we love where we live."

The 2026 recipients of the Chamber’s Business and Community Hero Awards are:

Francis H. Sharp, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award: Theodore H. Ritter, and Jody Hirata and Ed Bowman

Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award: Dr. Gladwyn Baptist

Community Hero Awards: Michelle Azpiri of Bridgeton Public Library, Isis Sosa, Unidos Para La Familia, and Cumberland County Office on Aging, Lisa Williams, Executive Director

Business Hero Awards: All That Dance Studio, Ed’s Body Shop, and Salon Tinge

Expanded biographies of all award recipients, photographs, sponsorship opportunities, advertising information, reservations, and additional details about the celebration are available at: www.CumberlandGrows.com/Heroes 

Reservations to attend or for ads or sponsorships are needed by Oct. 21.

More information:  www.CumberlandGrows.com/hero.