The Ceres Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the 55th annual Community Service Awards & Installation Dinner set for Friday evening, Jan. 19 at the Ceres Community Center.

The banquet is the Chamber’s premier business event, highlighted by the recognition of outstanding members in the Ceres community who have made extraordinary contributions in service. It also serves as the changing-of-the-guard of the Chamber’s key volunteer leaders.

Since 1969, the Ceres Chamber of Commerce has recognized individuals for their service to the community; business and civic attainment on a local, state, national or international level; leadership; awareness of the needs of others; and distinctive accomplishments that have brought favorable attention to Ceres, their industry or organization.

Once again, the Chamber will be honoring citizens and businesses for the following categories:

• Distinguished Service;

• Citizen of the Year;

• Young Citizen of the Year;

• Small Business of the Year;

• Large Business of the Year;

• Volunteer of the Year;

• Business of the Year;

• Legacy Award, which honors individuals and/or businesses that have contributed through service, support or volunteer efforts to the Ceres community for more than 40 years.

Nominations were due at the end of November and voting by was over on Dec. 31.

Nominated for the Distinguished Service award are county Supervisor Channce Condit, Ceres Police Lt. Trenton Johnson, Chamber Vice President Irene Ortiz and the non-profit Project YES.

Volunteer of the Year nominees are Rev. Ryan Guinn the Associate Pastor at United Pentecostal Church in Ceres since 2013; Daniel Martinez, member of the Ceres City Council, a Lions Club member and a youth baseball coach; and code enforcement secretary Lauren Medina.

Two have been nominated for the “Young Citizen of the Year” honor – Karyme Garcia and Tanveer Kaur.

Nominated for “Small Business of the Year” are Autotal Insurance Services, California Landscape Supply, Exit Realty, Gateway Car Wash & Detailing, George’s Gas & Grill, La Cascada Mexican Restaurant and Luxury Limousine Service.

“Large Business of the Year” honorees are Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children and the Walmart Supercenter.

The two businesses nominated for the Legacy Award are Security Public Storage and Stanislaus Farm Supply.

“Citizen of the Year” nominees are remaining under wraps, with the choice made by past recipients of that award.

All nominees will be invited to the Chamber’s banquet, which features a no-host bar, dessert, auction and 50/50 raffle. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and program to follow.

Tickets are $50 per person or $400 for a table for eight and are available at the Ceres Chamber office, 2904 Fourth Street in downtown Ceres or online through the Chamber website at www.cereschamberofcommerce.org.

For more information about this or other upcoming events, call the Chamber at (209) 537-2601 or visit the Chamber’s website at www.cereschamberofcommerce.org