Christmas Tree Auction and Dinner set for Nov. 16

TEMPLETON — The Templeton Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its Impact Awards — Citizen of the Year is Melissa Johnson, Business of the Year is McPhee’s Grill, Public Safety Person of the Year is Fire Chief Bill White and the Business Beautification Award went to Tommy Medeiros.

All of the honorees will be recognized at the Chamber’s second annual Christmas Tree Auction and Impact Awards Dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1800 El Pomar in Templeton. 

Johnson is a pillar of most things that happen around Templeton going above and beyond the duties of her role as Recreation Supervisor for the Templeton Recreation Department, the Chamber stated. She pours countless hours into mentoring Templeton Youth on and off the sports fields and is involved with Nightmare on Main Street, Junior Olympics and is the President-Elect for District 8 for the California Parks and Recreation Society.

Johnson is the leader behind more than 700 North County kids playing soccer in the fall, over 450 kids playing basketball in winter and over 300 kids playing softball/t-ball in spring, the Templeton Recreation Summer Concerts in the Park, the Jingle All the Way 5K and kids run, the Templeton Beer Run, the Monster Skate Park series and the Annual Community Clean-up. 

McPhee’s Grill has served delicious food to the Templeton Community for 25 years and through all these years has given back to the community. Ian McPhee donates countless dinners for 4-8 people to local nonprofits for their local fundraisers. McPhee’s supports the youth of the community by providing team dinners and supporting different sports teams.

The honor of 2019 Public Safety Person of the Year goes to Chief White of the Templeton Fire and Emergency Services. White joined Templeton Fire in May of 2015 as the part-time Fire Chief. He brought over 30 years of fire services knowledge and experience. He has worked tirelessly to make improvements within the Templeton Fire Department to make is safe, sustainable and modernize our department.

Outside of his job this past 6 months he was an active leader of the “Yes on Measure A” campaign, volunteering countless hours to this cause. White and his wife Maggie spent several weekends precinct walking the neighborhoods of Templeton and campaigning on their time to help save our fire department. 

The 2019 Business Beautification Award will be given Medeiros for his update of 790 and 792 S. Main St. for tenants Cunningham Law Group and MAC Management. The façade update, front walkway and landscaping beautified this prime corner of Templeton Main Street.  

The dinner has become a signature event and last year raised $10,800 for six local nonprofit organizations. 

The silent auction benefits the chamber with items ranging from mini Christmas trees like the “Sock Tree,” wine from Castoro Cellars, a staycation at the Inn at Morro Bay, gift certificates for local restaurants and spa packages.

After the awards are handed out, auctioneer Doug Filipponi takes the stage and will auction off some amazing items like a Dinner for 8 to McPhees and a Traeger Grill donated by Idlers Appliance as well as the five decorated artificial Christmas trees.

These trees each with a value of over $1,000 will be loaded with gifts, gift certificates, experiences and more with the proceeds from these trees going directly to the nonprofit that created the tree. 

The Templeton Chamber is presenting its tree this year in honor of its 40th anniversary, the “Ruby Red 40th Anniversary” tree will be loaded with Chamber member gift certificates and special offers to help celebrate the big anniversary. 

Tickets are on sale now, $90 per person, $720 for a table of eight or upgrade to a VIP Table for $1,000 that includes one bottle of champagne, two bottles of wine, dessert goodie bags and reserve table card. Tickets are available by going online to templetonchamber.com, calling the Templeton Chamber office at 805-434-1789 or stop into the office a 321 S. Main St., Templeton. This is a formal event for the 21-and-older, RSVP by Nov. 8 to secure your ticket or table.