On Wednesday night the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce along with many local businesses and individuals put on their bi-annual First Responders Banquet. Over $5500.00 in cash and prizes were awarded as a way to say “Thank You” to all of the men and women who are there for us in our time of need.

Last year the Chamber decided they would change things up and hold a Nurse’s appreciation banquet, that will return next year and then the celebrations will go every other year.

Wally Hendricks, the founder of donthit.org was the main speaker for the evening. Hendricks, a first responder himself has been a member of law enforcement for more than 30 years.

Chamber director Barbie Haeck was on Castle Country Focus and she told us the main reasoning behind the banquet. “This event is just to show our gratitude to these people to help and protect us, and they make such sacrifices in their own lives and families, it’s just our opportunity to say thank you.”