The Accolades Awards Gala, being held on Sept.10 at the Red Lion Silverdale Hotel, is the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce’s annual event honoring the best and brightest of the Silverdale and Central Kitsap business community, as nominated by members of the community.

The hotel, which also sponsors of the Citizen of the Year Award, will present the engraved Tiffany platter to Rick Smith, manager of the Kitsap BlueJackets. A Silverdale attorney and former state representative, Smith has been working to bring summer baseball to Kitsap County for more than a decade. He collaborated with a group of local businessmen and women to bring the field of dreams to fruition. His partners include; Charlie Cates and Paul Peterson, Wynne Goldberg-Littman and her husband Charles Littman, Bruce Bordenick, and Chuck Huddleston.

The Central Kitsap Reporter sponsors the Business of the Year Award, to be presented this year to Harrison Hospital. Harrison is a not-for-profit, community-based institution founded over fifty years ago and is still modeling the mission expressed in Benjamin Harrison’s will; “Harrison Hospital shall serve humanity, and shall alleviate its pain and suffering.”

Harrison Hospital’s nomination cited its continuing commitment to cutting edge health care, enhanced service delivery and quality of service. Its commitment to Central Kitsap and the county as a whole has brought services to the area only previously available in Seattle. Harrison’s presence in Silverdale has fostered the development of other medical services and practices in the area to better meet the needs of Central and North Kitsap County residents.

Kitsap Community Credit Union sponsors the Business Pioneer of the Year Award, which will be presented this year to Blaine Highfield. He has participated as a broker in a substantial number of commercial real estate transactions, developments and leases in Silverdale spanning many years. Highfield was instrumental in the development of Silverdale as a commercial area and is credited as the individual who brought Kitsap Mall to the community. Working with another renowned civic leader, the late Paul Linder, together they brought the Crista Shores Retirement Center to the community.

The Paul G. Linder Award for Community Service, presented to the Chamber Member of the Year is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy. This year’s recipient, Ryan Christian, of Countrywide Home Loans, is a “go-to” type of guy. A member of the Chamber since January 2004, he has never hesitated to get involved in Chamber projects and affairs. He is actively involved as an ambassador, representing the Chamber at a variety of community functions and welcoming new members. He’s also a familiar face at area ribbon cuttings and grand openings as the Chamber Board vice president for special Events.

Tickets are now available for the Accolades Awards Gala. Cocktails begin at 6:30. The cost is $35 per person. Tables of eight can be reserved for $280. Dinner selections are prime rib of beef or honey glazed salmon filet, both are served with caramelized walnut petite salad, steamed vegetables, red potatoes and dessert.

For more information or to make reservations call the Chamber office at (360) 692-6800. Reservations can also be made online at www.silverdalechamber.com.