Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce has announced its inaugural "Heart of The Shires Luncheon," in collaboration with Coggins Auto Group and Fidium Fiber. The event will take place at the Bennington Museum’s Ada and Paul Paresky Wing on Wednesday, November 8, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
Representative Becca Balint, Heart of The Shires Luncheon Keynote
Event Highlights
The luncheon aims to honor and spotlight exemplary nonprofits, social sector organizations, government agencies, and community leaders for their contributions to community well-being, public health, and civic service. Over 75 area nonprofit and community leaders are expected to attend.
Key sponsors, Coggins Auto Group and Fidium Fiber, will kick off the event shortly after 12 p.m., followed by a keynote address from Congresswoman Becca Balint.
About Congresswoman Becca Balint
Representative Balint is a trailblazer, as the first woman and first openly LGBTQI individual to represent Vermont. Born to a working-class mother and immigrant father, she has dedicated her career to social justice, education, and defending American democracy.
Following her career as a middle-school educator in Windham County for 14 years, she transitioned into political leadership roles, including serving as State Senator and President Pro Tempore in 2021. During her tenure, she championed gun safety legislation and led the state's most significant housing investment in decades.
In her first term in Congress, Balint serves as the Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chair for New Members and as a Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. She is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Budget Committee. She holds degrees from Smith College and Harvard University, and an MA in History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
"We are thrilled to have Congresswoman Balint keynoting our luncheon this fall. Her commitment to civic service and community development makes her an ideal keynote speaker for this significant event," says Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Harvest Lunch
The award-winning Pangaea will be providing a harvest lunch for attendees. Butternut apple bisque, sandwiches/wraps including grilled vegetable and hummus with sprouts, turkey bacon club with pesto aioli and ham and cheddar on multigrain croissant will be available along with cookies, brownies, coffee, tea and apple cider.
Awards Ceremony
The event will culminate with the presentation of the Heart of the Shires Award, the Community Leadership Award, and the Lindy Lynch Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing individuals and organizations for their dedication and contributions to the community.
Harrington continues, “With the success of our spring luncheon focused on women in the region, the Chamber looks to highlight another key group in the region - our community leaders and nonprofits. The Chamber is about connections and building community especially around these luncheons. Community leaders and nonprofits are the unsung heroes of our society, weaving a tapestry of positive change one thread at a time. They embody the very essence of service and compassion, and their collective actions create a fabric of community resilience that benefits us all. We think we should acknowledge that and encourage them to keep going!"
Ticket Information
Tickets are limited and can be purchased: https://www.swvtchamber.com/heartoftheshires
Source: 9.25.2023. Bennington, VT — Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. SWVTChamber.com I ExploreTheShires.com
