Emcee Leslie Howe, left, listens as Chamber member Sheryl Champine, director of sales and marketing for Holiday Inn Gateway in Flint, and a Swartz Creek High School graduate, accepts an award. Photo by Angelo Parlove SWARTZ CREEK — The Swartz Creek Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Starz of Swartz Creek celebration on June 26 at the Sports Creek Raceway in Swartz Creek.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured a Christmas theme with a turkey dinner luncheon, as well as silent and live auctions that saw proceeds from the auctions go to benefit the Old Newsboys of Flint.

“It’s a great event. It’s bigger and better every year,” said Steve Mardlin, owner of Doors Galore in Swartz Creek.

The awards ceremony boasted eight community awards and one president’s award.

“It’s our biggest event of the year, congratulating and thanking those in the community that go above and beyond,” said Debra Hackett, president of the Swartz Creek Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Sue Taylor Community Service Award, which was presented and sponsored by the Swartz Creek Kiwanis to the individual that has given the most of themselves to the community, school, area businesses or service organizations through volunteer efforts, was given to Tonya Ketzler.

Wyatt Wilson received the Lil’ Go Getter Award, which was presented and sponsored by Holiday Inn Gateway Center to any college, high school, middle school or elementary student that has done something outstanding either for the benefit of their school or community.

The Business of the Year Award, which was presented and sponsored by D&T Computer Consultants to a business that has made a difference in the community, was given to Fantastic Inflatables.

Angela Gipson received the Flip Flop Award, which was presented and sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe to a service group, business or individual that has done something to make Swartz Creek beautiful.

The Member with the Mostest Award, which was presented and sponsored by Elga Credit Union to a chamber member that has contributed above and beyond for the chamber, was given to Linda Russell.

Michael Gibbons received the Big Kahuna Award, which was presented and sponsored by Funtastic Inflatables to a coach or teacher that has gone above and beyond for the school or a student.

The Hometown Homey Award, which was presented and sponsored by Financial Plus Federal Credit Union to the Hometown Days volunteer of the year, was given to Deanna Krascell.

John Fick received the Children’s Champion Award, which was presented and sponsored by the Old Newsboys of Flint to the individual who goes above and beyond for the children of the surrounding communities.

Finally, the 2013 President’s Award, as selected by the Swartz Creek Area Chamber of Commerce president, was given to Todd Beedy.

Further, the live auction featured such items as a Kid Rock autographed photograph, a complete evening on the town, including dinner, hotel and movie passes, and a Dell laptop computer. The silent auction featured over 50 items, including tickets to Detroit Tigers games, autographed baseballs, various wall art, as well as many other gift baskets made up of many products and goods donated by businesses in the area.

“We worked hard to get superior auction items,” Hackett said.

The proceeds from the auctions went to benefit the Old Newsboys of Flint.

The organization began in 1924 and has helped over 775,000 needy kids in Genesee County during the Christmas season.

“The main focus is on people who get nominated for Starz Awards and do extra special things in the area and need to be recognized,” said Chris Hamilton, executive director of the Old Newsboys of Flint.