The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce has named the Rev. Cal Lord, the pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Westerly, as its 2022 Citizen of the Year. 

The Citizen of the Year award was established in 1957 to recognize outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the greater Westerly-Stonington region.

“Reverend Cal Lord is a very special citizen who has made an extraordinary commitment to this community through his selfless demonstration of community service” said Maria Pucci, chairman of the chamber board, in announcing the award. 

Lord is also past chairman of the Clergy Association and has supported many groups such as the Westerly Rotary Club, Jonnycake Center, Town of Westerly vaccine distribution team, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Stonington Police and Watch Hill Fire Department.

The chamber also announced that Lauren Sposato of Dime Bank will be receive the chamber’s Key Award. This honor is bestowed to an individual who has gone above and beyond volunteering, over a sustained period, to help the chamber achieve its mission. For the last eight years Sposato has been helping at chamber events, producing videos and taking a leadership role in the chamber's Young Professionals group.

The awards will be given out at the chamber's annual meeting scheduled for June 22 at 6 p.m. at Paddy’s Beach Club in Misquamicut. The event, which will also include a dinner and silent auction, is open to the public and pre-registration is required. Tickets are $65. For more information, call (401) 596-7761.