Salem Chamber names Distinguished Service Award recipients

(Salem, OR; January 25, 2012 --)The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that Curt Arthur and Ron and Kathy Kelemen will be honored as Distinguished Service Award recipients at the upcoming First Citizen Award Banquet.

For the 62nd year, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize some of the most talented and accomplished men and women working in Salem who dedicate their time and talents to better our community. Arthur was surprised at the annual board meeting for the Boys and Girls Club while the Kelemens were surprised at the annual retreat for The H Group.

Curt Arthur is active in the Willamette Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Boys & Girls Club of Salem. He has received several awards, including the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year from Sperry Van Ness International, the Commercial Realtor of the Year Award from the Salem Association of Realtors in 2007 as well as the President's Award where he was selected by his peers for his professionalism and community service.

Ron and Kathy Kelemen have served this community for many years. Ron is very involved in the Rotary Club of Salem and works on both local and international projects. He is also a founding board member and past president of the Medical Foundation of Marion-Polk Counties and served as Chair of the Willamette Academy Advisory Board. Kathy volunteers with the Assistance League of Salem to keep the organization fiscally sound, as well as chairing committees and fundraisers, and actively serving the National Assistance League Finance Committee. She was also involved in launching the Salem Film Festival. Together, they have served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, hosted international exchange students, mentored at risk youth, and auctioned off Asian dinners for fundraisers.

One more Distinguished Service Award recipient and an Outstanding Young Professional will be surprised later this week.

Along with the three Distinguished Citizens, the First Citizen and an Outstanding Young Professional will be honored at the First Citizen's Awards Banquet to be held March 2, 2012 at the Salem Conference Center. Reservations can be made by calling 503-581-1466 x301 or online at SalemChamber.org.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is a private 501(c)(6)not-for-profit membership organization which works to ensure a strong local economy where businesses can prosper, and families can live, work, play and shop. The programs and professional staff of the Salem Area Chamber have been recognized nationally, including a 2009 Wall Street Journal feature of the Chamber's innovative web site, SalemChamber.org. The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for more than 1,200 businesses led by a volunteer board of directors who are dedicated to sustaining Salem's quality of life, and keeping our community and economy vibrant.

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