The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Thursday at the Mountain Valley Golf Course to recognize the recipients of its 2025 awards.

Vince Boyle of the Vince Boyle Team/Century 21 Ryon Real Estate, was named Business Person of the Year, and Holman and Pitts Law, which includes Christine Holman and Jacqueline Pitts, earned the honor of Business of the Year.

The Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship Award went to Sharon and Julie Stokes of Stokes Ministry and G-Lady’s Food Pantry.

The theme was “Stronger Together,” and recipients spoke about how the community has helped them thrive.

“What a privilege it is to stand here tonight, beside my daughter, and accept this award as Business of the Year on behalf of Holman and Pitts Law and the incredible people who make it happen,” Holman said as she accepted the award from Aimee Dotson, chamber executive director, and Kim Noel, chamber president,

Holman has been practicing law in Schuylkill County for over two decades after opening her first office in Frackville. In 2001, she became an assistant district attorney in the Juvenile Division, and was the first elected female district attorney in the county.

She reestablished her private practice in Tamaqua in 2018, and three years ago, welcomed her daughter, Pitts, as an associate attorney.

“When I first began practicing law, I never imagined that I’d be sharing the office and the courtroom with my daughter,” Holman said. “What began as a solo practice built on grit and determination has grown into something much more — the start of a family legacy.”

Pitts, a Widener University graduate, said she “hit the ground running” in the legal profession.

“I have done so — and couldn’t be happier to do so — alongside of my partner, my boss and my mother,” Pitts said.

Both Pitts and Holman thanked their coworkers and the community for their support.

Dotson noted that Boyle, who became a licensed realtor in 2018, has completed more than 600 transactions with a total sales volume of more than $100 million, earning him national recognition.

“Vince has built a remarkable career by staying deeply connected to his hometown,” Dotson said, noting that he also serves in various volunteer roles.

She also announced that Boyle and his team will open a Century 21/Ryon Real Estate office in downtown Tamaqua later this month.

“They say that all roads lead home,” Boyle said, then rattled off a number of names of people and businesses in the area.

“I could go on and on about the amazing people who make up the Tamaqua area, which I believe proves tonight’s message that we are ‘stronger together,’” Boyle said.

He said he was honored and humbled to accept the award from “a place I love and am so proud of: Tamaqua.”

Julie and Sharon Stokes, founders of Stokes Ministries and G-Lady’s Food Pantry, accepted the Citizenship Award.

“Since 2016, they have built a place that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they are, who they love or the color of their skin,” Dotson explained.

And, she noted, that a single cabinet that once served as a walk-up pantry near their front porch “has grown into a thriving community resource, providing food, support and hope to countless individuals in need,”

Sharon Stokes thanked Chamber and congratulated present and past winners.

“I believe that people needed to be shown how to love, how to conquer problems — not just be preached at,” she said of her ministry. “If I can show them love, light, how to be happy by accepting everyone no matter who they are, who they love or the color of their skin.”

Sharon Stokes said the ministry opened its first pantry in 2017, and soon outgrew it. What was a small cabinet became a shed — and now it has a home on West Broad Street.

“When we needed stuff, the small businesses stepped up and the community stepped up,” Sharon Stokes said.

Katharina Styerzel, founder of LeaveYourBoxWithKat Coaching and Consulting, was guest speaker.

Dotson also congratulated Deb Yuskauskas, winner of the “For the Love of Tamaqua” photo contest, and recognized Maura Walker, who served as the Chamber’s summer intern.

All winners received citations from the offices of state Sen. David Argall and Rep. Jamie Barton.