Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual gala at the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course, where the Chamber will honor Dr. William (Bill) Long and Richard Ferguson.
Dr. Long is this year’s Joseph Dalton Community Service Award recipient and Ferguson as the 2023 Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year.
This newly reimagined event, formerly the Chamber’s annual dinner, will take place on Thursday, May 11. A VIP reception will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m., followed by general admission beginning at 5:15 p.m.
All are invited to join the Chamber at its premier annual event featuring networking, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and more.
Long is one of the original founders of CAPTAIN Community Human Services and a significant force in the creation of what is now The Prevention Council of Saratoga County. Throughout his career as a psychologist, he has focused his professional work and volunteerism on creating services to energize and connect the community with the goal of improving the lives of children and families.
“Dr. Bill Long epitomizes what the Joseph Dalton Community Service Award is all about,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus said. “He’s humble, quiet, and yet a powerhouse facilitating discussions that lead to action. When I called him to share that he was selected, he had no idea that he was nominated and he asked me if there was someone else that we could select in his place. This was in spite of the fact that he has made significant contributions to our entire county and its residents for 50 years.”
Ferguson, in addition to his professional role at Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. & Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co., has served with numerous local organizations over the past 30 years, exemplifying the spirit of the Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year award.
He has worked in various roles with organizations such as Leadership Saratoga, SCORE, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Homemade Theater, Wellspring, the Saratoga Regional YMCA, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, the Saratoga Springs Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee, the Epilepsy Foundation Northeastern New York and many more.
“When I shared with Richard that he had been selected to receive the Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year award, he was wearing a Leadership Saratoga jacket. He too had no idea that he was nominated for this award and was humbled to have been selected,” Shimkus said. “His volunteerism has benefitted a wide range of impact sector organizations in 2022 and for years prior too, and I’m thrilled we get to recognize him for all of the time, talent, and treasure he has given to our community.”
Registration for the gala is available online at saratoga.org, along with further information.
The gala is sponsored by Ironglass Productions, Hoffman Car Wash, Adirondack Trust Co., CAPTAIN Community Human Services, MLB Construction Services, Rockefeller Capital Management, ADKtechs, AIM Services, Bond, Schoeneck & King, BPI Mechanical Service, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Capital Bank, Community Bank, D.A. Collins Companies, GlobalFoundries, JPMorgan Chase, National Grid, Phinney Design Group, River Pools, Saratoga Eagle, Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co., Saratoga Springs City Center, Ballston Spa National Bank, BBL Construction, Bonacio Construction, CEFO Advisors, Crown Castle, Curtis Lumber, Lemery Greisler LLC, Mazzone Hospitality, Performance Industrial, Pioneer, Polyset, Pursuit, Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation, Saratoga Springs FiberCity, Stewart’s Shops, The Adelphi Hotel, Turf Hotels, UHY Certified Public Accountants, West Point Thoroughbreds and Wilcenski Pleat Law.
Anyone interested in sponsorship packages can email Andrea Cole at acole@saratoga.org.