Sunday, November 30, 2025

Altadena Chamber Sets Dec. 1 Deadline for Citizen, Business of the Year Nominations

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association has set 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, as the deadline for nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year awards. The date marks the close of nominations only and is not the day of the awards ceremony.

The honors recognize Altadena residents and businesses that have demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, and positive community impact. The 2025 and 2024 awards are planned to be presented at the Chamber’s Installation & Awards dinner in early 2026, with the date and venue still to be announced.

Nomination forms are available through the Chamber’s website and may be submitted by email, mail, in person at the Altadena Community Center, or via the Chamber website’s contact form. The Chamber office can be reached at (626) 794-3988 or office@altadenachamber.org.

Eligibility rules require Citizen of the Year nominees to be Altadena residents who have contributed through sustained volunteer work and good character. Public service employees must show involvement beyond their professional duties, and Chamber board members are not eligible. Business of the Year nominees must be Chamber members in good standing, demonstrate support for other local businesses, and contribute to the business community through volunteer efforts. Businesses tied to Chamber board members are excluded.

Chamber President Judy Matthews, who was honored earlier this year as Senate District 25 Woman of the Year by Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, said in a statement that the awards highlight resilience and unity following the Eaton Fire. “As communities continue their healing journey, these celebrations serve as a reminder that unity and perseverance are key to rebuilding stronger and more resilient neighborhoods,” Matthews said.

The Chamber began accepting nominations Oct. 16 and extended the deadline to Dec. 1, according to a Nov. 3 social media post. A PasadenaNow article published Nov. 23 also announced the nomination period.

The awards ceremony venue has not yet been announced. The Altadena Town & Country Club, originally scheduled to host the February 2025 banquet, was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Club General Manager Craig Sloane, who also chairs the Chamber’s banquet committee, said, “We’re committed to rebuilding and continuing to support the community.”

Past honorees include Michael Bicay, president of AltadenaWILD, named 2024 Citizen of the Year, and Sidecca, a retro fashion boutique at Mariposa Junction, named 2024 Business of the Year.

For more information, residents may visit www.altadenachamber.org.