Spinnaker awardees (l-r): John Lombardo, Lynn Siedentop, Paul Dement, Mary Eileen Fouratt, Dr. Jeffrey Mills, Corinne LeBaron, John Ekdahl, Toby Mack. The Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce has produced a bumper crop of community minded men, women and businesses during the 15 years since it inaugurated the annual Spinnaker Awards.

Last week, the chamber introduced the recipients of its 15th annual Spinnaker Awards in the outdoor Waterfall Garden at Branches in West Long Branch.

EMACC president Lynda Rose introduced the honorees, who will be recognized at the celebration of community spirit that is the 2006 Spinnaker Awards dinner to be held Nov. 9 at Branches.

The Spinnaker symbolism recalls the maritime heritage of the chamber's service area by honoring "the public spirited men, women and businesses who set their sails to catch the wind and make life here in eastern Monmouth better for us all," Rose said.

Honorees, pictured left to right, are: John Lombardo, owner of Branches, honoree in the Community Service category; Lynn Siedentop of Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch, named Nonprofit of the Year;. Paul Dement representing Corporate Good Neighbor awardee Monmouth University, where he is director of government relations; Mary Eileen Fouratt, executive director of the Monmouth County Arts Council, recipient in the Arts and Culture category; Dr. Jeffrey Mills, Monmouth U; Corinne LeBaron of Ronald McDonald House; Elected Official of the Year John E. Ekdahl, mayor of Rumson; Toby Mack, Branches. Not pictured, Volunteer of the Year Peter Pfister.

The EMACC was founded in Red Bank 78 years ago and serves the communities of Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls. For more information on the awards, visit www.emacc.org.