The annual Day of Champions Breakfast, hosted by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, is set for the end of this week, promising an exciting day in celebration of all the city has to offer.

Now in it’s eighteenth year, the Day of Champions Breakfast will honor two local businesses, a standout volunteer, notable teacher, and a non-profit organization.

The nominees for the five awards have been made public, but the winners will not be announced until Friday’s breakfast. The ceremony will begin at 7:30 am and will be hosted at the Four Points by Sheraton (10831 S. 51st Street).

With this annual tradition, the chamber selects businesses and individuals that exhibit outstanding service, excellence in business, community contributions and leadership.

Nominees for this year’s awards include Karen Reiss, a special education teacher, and Shawndra Reid, an eighth-grade English language arts teacher, both from Centennial Middle School, and Therese Schmisseur, an algebra teacher at Desert Vista High School. For the volunteer recognition, the nominees are relator Jim N. Hunt and Pamela Manawaring of Young Entrepreneurs Academy, as well as community members Rick Allen, Tracy Jones and Thomas S. Moore III.

For the nonprofit category, the nominees are Desert Garden Montessori, Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club, the Festival of Lights Association, Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA and Love I Am. In the business of the year category, there is the Ahwatukee Board of Management, AmTrust Bank, Centurylink, Empire West Title Agency, and Wells Fargo. For small business of the year, there is Ahwatukee dentist Dr. Janet Euzarraga, Elements Massage, and the Specific Chiropractic Center.

State Treasurer Jeff DeWit will be this year’s keynote speaker, and joining him for appearances are Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio and chamber President/CEO Lindy Lutz Cash.

Tickets are $40 for chamber members and $50 for nonmembers, and can be purchased at ahwatukeechamber.com