The annual First Citizens Banquet is the Salem Chamber's opportunity to honor outstanding citizens who give back to the Salem area community. Residents active in civic, business, and educational affairs are considered for the annual First Citizens award and/or the Distinguished Service Awards. Over 450 attendees joined in the celebration in recognition of the 2005 recipients as a part of the 2006 First Citizens Banquet, presented by West Coast Bank.

Gladys Blum of Gladys Blum Group Real Estate Services was honored as the 2005 First Citizen. Blum's civic roles in the Salem area community include her service as a Board member for Family Building Blocks, Salem Leadership Foundation, and Blindskills Inc., an organization which serves the visually impaired. In addition, Gladys Blum serves as co-chair of this year's United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley campaign drive. 

Also honored as part of the 2006 First Citizens Banquet were Distinguished Awards Recipients Gayle Caldarazzo, Betsy Belshaw, and Ann Kelly.

Belshaw has been a long standing advocate for Salem's parks and currently volunteers for the American Red Cross through the local Willamette Chapter. Belshaw was intimately involved in a volunteer capacity with the disasters brought on by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Caldarazzo's involvement in the Salem area community includes service to the Boys and Girls Aid Society, No Meth -- Not in My Neighborhood, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Willamette Master Chorus.

Kelly is the founder and executive director of Hands and Words Are Not for Hurting. The organization's message can be seen in 49 other states across the country and beyond. The program is designed to educate children on stopping and avoiding physical and verbal abuse to themselves or others. Kelly's program can now be seen in countries across the world including Russia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Japan.