I am Marsha Abraham, owner of Auntie M Gift Baskets and President of BIP
I want to extend a warm welcome and thank you for attending the 32nd Annual BIP Awards Banquet honoring outstanding individuals and businesses in Palmer Township.

This past year has been very active for the BIP and we are extremely proud of
the fact that we have been able to continue our mission: Helping our Businesses - Helping our Community.

During the year we held a number of well- attended membership luncheons and mixers with guest speakers addressing local business issues.

In February, we amended the by-laws and increased the Board of Directors from 9 to 12.

We welcomed the following New Members on the Board:
Charlie Roseberry - EALD
Brian Dillman - The Pidcock Company
Mike Smull - MDS Design
Chad Palank- Lafayette Ambassador Bank

Money raised from the 2007 Golf Outing was used for two projects: One for floor stripping on one of the gyms at the community center. The second was to partner with the Township and the Lions Club, to install a new electronic message board in full color at the intersection of
25th and Northampton St. BIP, acting as the project manager under the expertise of Dave Colver, designed the sign and structure, took bids and handled the construction. Bob Smith took charge of beautification. The sign has been very successful in communicating events and activities for
non-profit organizations. This project was spearheaded by our Community Development Committee Chair Charlie Roseberry and former Bd. Member Gerry Kemmerer.

Our Scholarship Committee, chaired by Bob Smith, graciously awarded five $600 scholarships to local graduating seniors.

The Golf Committee, under the leadership of Bob Lammi raised $10,000 at our annual outing at Riverview Country Club in Forks Township. Proceeds will be used for a yet unnamed community project. The success of this project is a direct result of the many generous sponsors, golfers and volunteers who continue to make this a special event. They have earned our sincere gratitude.

And of course we gave away hundreds of bags of popcorn to smiley faces, young and old at Palmer Community Week-end. Thank you to Dave Colver and his committee and all our member volunteers for making our BIP Booth so popular.

This year, our Membership Chair Bob Lammi was successful in attracting 9 new BIP Members. We are delighted.

Bob Blanchfield made sure 5 businesses who use Palmer Township in their advertising materials were recognized with a "Pride in Palmer" Plaque.

Debbie Young, our chair for this evenings event, met with her committee to determine the honorees for the Booster & Civic Trust Awards and arrange for the dinner we are about to enjoy. Thank you so much.

As you are all aware, behind every successful endeavor, there is a strong, organized, knowledgeable, dependable, take-charge woman. BIP is extremely fortunate to have that woman... Virginia Rickert.Thank you Virginia. You are the wind beneath our wings!

Please join me in applauding our Board of Directors who share a common passion, dedication and love for Palmer Township and BIP. They are responsible for BIP being able to fulfill our mission -
Help Businesses and Help our Community.