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4th Annual Christian Chamber Golden Halo Awards on March 13 Honors Outstanding Christian Teachers

Top Student-Nominated Teachers From Five Counties Receive Recognition

(Fort Myers , Fla.) The Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, Inc. invites the public to join them as they honor nominees and finalists in Christian education at the Fourth Annual Golden Halo Award Dinner on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Grace Community Center in N. Fort Myers , Fla.   Tickets are $35 per person, $65 for a couple, and $25 per student (high school and under) and are available online at http://hischamber.org/GoldenHalo.aspx or by calling the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida during regular business hours at 239-481-1411.

Ten finalists, selected from over 100 nominees in the five-county region (Lee, Collier, Charlotte , Glades, and Hendry) will be honored and the overall winner announced live during the banquet. Teachers chosen as top ten finalists receive two free tickets to the Golden Halo banquet and a gift basket from various Christian Chamber members and merchants. The winner also receives a custom diamond pin created by Southwest Florida ’s Diamond District.

The evening is being chaired by Vikki Luft of Compass Construction and Sue Fowler of Elegant Affairs Event Planning and will be emceed by Patrick Nolan, Evening News Anchor from Fox 4 TV (WFTX).  Entertainment will be provided by Grace Church in addition to a Silent Auction prior to dinner.  Sponsors include Fox 4, Lee Sar, Gravity Benefits, CoolAir Conditioning, Inc., Rice Contracting Enterprises, Inc., J.L. Wallace, Inc., Evangelical Christian School , Compass Construction, Saks and Messmer Florist.  Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available including limited advertising space on a 12 month calendar that will give given to all attendees at the Golden Halo Award Dinner.

Sierra Minott, Miss Florida 2008 and fourth runner-up in the Miss America 2009 Pageant, will be the featured speaker.  She will talk about the importance of Christian education to help develop students’ own uniquely valuable talents, passions and abilities.  Minott is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a Minor in Musical Theatre at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach , Fla.

In 2006, the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida began the first-in-the-nation recognition of outstanding teachers in Christian private schools.  Since then, over 300 teachers have been nominated by their students based on qualities their teacher possess that make them a role model, and how the teacher has enhanced the students education and faith.

“The Golden Halo recognition program began when the Christian Chamber realized that educators throughout the country are being honored in our public school system, while private Christian school teachers were often forgotten.  We are proud of every teacher who is nominated and pleased to support the education our Christian teachers provide.  We hope more individuals throughout the U.S. will join us in paying tribute to all the teachers in private Christian education for their investment in our children’s lives,” says Jeanne Sweeney, President / CEO of the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, Inc.

For more info rmation contact the Christian Chamber office at 239-481-1411, visit their website at www.HisChamber.org or via email at christianchamber@embarqmail.com.