December 27, 2011 > Hayward to honor its heroes Hayward to honor its heroes Submitted By Hayward Chamber of Commerce Hayward will honor recipients of the Educator, Firefighter, Police Officer and Business Person of the Year Award at the 68th Annual Hayward Chamber of Commerce Awards Celebration Gala on Jan. 28, 2012. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the University Union on the Hayward campus of California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. Tickets for the event, which is black tie optional, are $125 and are still available at the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, 22561 Main Street. "This is one of Hayward's great traditions, and a reflection of the esteem that this city has for those that make community service their priority," said Kim Huggett, president and CEO of the chamber. "The fact that this event sells out every year says a lot about Hayward." This year's event will feature a reception from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a gourmet meal, fine wines, silent and live auctions, and the awards ceremony. Those to be honored are: Business Person of the Year: Julie McKillop, owner and executive chef of Neumanali Restaurant and principal of McKillop Accountancy. Educator of the Year: Hector Garcia, principal of Harder School Police Officer of the Year: Officer Faye Thomas Firefighter of the Year: Capt. Joe Stilwell For more information call the chamber at 510-537-2424 or go to the Hayward Chamber of Commerce website at www.hayward.org.