Chamber honors Whitman as top volunteer

Kelly Whitman was recently named as the Festival at Sandpoint’s Volunteer of the Year and deservedly so. She can now add Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce volunteer of the month honors as well.

Whitman has been volunteering at the Festival for 27 years and serves as the front gate co-chair.

“This is a vital position as she helps coordinate, schedule and train upward of 75 volunteers per night and the front gate challenges can be immense,” chamber officials said in a press release. "Kelly and her volunteer staff handle it with grace and professionalism.”

In order for the Festival to be successful every year Festival officials said it takes a hard-working staff, a dedicated board and a huge team of dedicated volunteers, supervisors and volunteer chair persons. It takes 17 volunteer chair persons, and over 500 volunteers who donate their time and energy for the benefit of the community.