By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Bill Gillespie, Lora Lee Boone, Merrill Carroll, Patty VanderWal, Matthew Trest and John Chambers
The community came together in massive numbers Thursday night as the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce put on its annual Schmooz-A-Palooza in which businesses from around the area could share their services and where residents could connect with them and experience a sense of business-related fellowship.
The event, which took place on March 17 at the Chamber of Commerce in Prattville’s downtown area, featured a business expo, a membership appreciation cookout, including hot dogs and hamburgers as well as food from Chick Fil A and Wing It On, and a community open house.
The business expo portion of the event included displays from Prattville Chamber Members, which highlighted their various services and products.
Attendees were also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Autauga Interfaith Care Center.
Varina Mead, Marketing Director for Easterseals of Central Alabama, and Jennifer Coleman, Easterseals Employment Specialist, highlighted the services that ECA provides to the community at their table as residents walked through the expo.
“We believe it’s important to connect to the community,” Mead said. “We want to bring awareness to the community about people with disabilities and let them know the services we provide.”
ECA’s main location is in Montgomery but staff members provide service to the disabled community all across the River Region.
Another chamber member that had a table at the event was Great Leaps Learning Center, located in Prattville.
Clinical Director at Great Leaps, Andrea Herrington, said that it’s important for residents to know that Great Leaps is here in the area and providing much-needed services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and severe behavioral disorders.
“I feel its important for the citizens to know about us,” Herrington said. “We provide services from birth to 18 years old.”
Jennifer Senn and Melissa Grant, both with Mora Surgical Clinic, came out to the expo to make sure people know they are still in business and have moved into Jackson Hospital.
In all, 19 businesses attended the event including The Harbor at Hickory Hill, Home Helpers, Carfax, Serv Pro, International Paper, The CBD Store, Eyecare Plus, BWS and others.
Other dignitaries who enjoyed the fun and festive atmosphere, which included many dressed in typical St. Patrick’s Day attire, were Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie and members of the Prattville City Council as well as State Auditor Jim Zeigler.
Door prizes were awarded for attendees throughout the night and a main prize of $250 was awarded to Amanda Lewis.
“Schmooz-A-Palooza is one of the many ways the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce lives out our mission to strengthen the business environment and our community,” said Allison Powell, Marketing and Communications Director for the chamber. “This event gives our local businesses the opportunity to showcase their unique products and services through authentic conversations with individuals – helping increase their visibility and gain potential customers. Schmooz-A-Palooza is also important for the community because it gives people of all ages the chance to connect with other local citizens, while learning more about the resources in our area.”
For more information on the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, go online to www.prattvillechamber.com
SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW!
