Chamber events see some changes due to COVID-19 surge
Mustang Chamber of Commerce last week held its annual holiday auction and golf ball drop, both fundraisers for the nonprofit organization. (Photo by Traci Chapman)
By Traci Chapman
Staff Writer
Months after the novel coronavirus pandemic caused Mustang Chamber of Commerce to cancel its signature Western Days event and reroute several others, the most recent surge of the virus has once again changed the organization’s plans.
Monday’s annual holiday bowling tournament fundraiser, set for Monday, was postponed until sometime in January, chamber CEO/President Renee Peerman said late Nov. 30. While the event was planned to accommodate COVID-19 safety measures, it just wasn’t feasible at this time, she said – with teams dropping out due to concerns or quarantines.
The chamber’s Dec. 10 luncheon would also be impacted, for the first time presented in a fully virtual format, Peerman said. The program, as originally scheduled, would feature Lanette Long, a licensed professional counselor with SSM Health/St. Anthony; registrants would receive a $10 lunch voucher to Los Vaqueros and link to participate in the virtual session.
The most recent changes were a challenge and led Peerman and volunteers to scramble in advising of the bowling cancellation and luncheon changes. Yet, they were thankful – and looking forward to a better 2021, she said.
“As this crazy year comes to an end and our event schedule winds down, we are still thankful – we are thankful that the business community carries on; we are thankful for frontline workers who have cared for us, our friends and our families; we are thankful for our educators that are striving every day to find ways to teach and train the workforce of tomorrow,” Peerman said. “Each one of our members is essential to the economy of our city and state and we want to thank each of our members for their part in making Mustang a great place to work, live and raise a family.”
The chamber’s annual holiday small business event, Mistletoe Magic, would go on as expected as of press time. This year it is in the format of a “Cookie Crawl,” a way to encourage shoppers to visit various local businesses; several chamber members have now signed up to participate in the effort, Peerman said. Only 195 passports were left as of Tuesday; those cost $10 and come with a tote to carry cookies.
Dec. 3 through Dec. 7 shoppers go to each participating business, where the passport is stamped and cookies are collected. During Mustang’s Festival of the Trees, set for Dec. 7 at Wild Horse Park, shoppers turn in fully completed passports for a chance to win a prize drawing, Peerman said.
While it was thought the Dec. 2 Coffee Connections would move forward as usual, Peerman announced Tuesday that – hosted by Mustang Church of the Nazarene – would also go virtual. Scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., the link to registration for the coffee is available on the main page of the chamber website; that registration allows the organization to provide the Zoom link and password for the virtual event.
Coffee Connections is a free activity provided by the chamber.
More information about Mustang Chamber events, activities, membership and other benefits through its website, located at www.mustangchamber.com, and on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/themustangchamber.
