Members of the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce celebrated their membership with candy and balloons while appealing to businesses in the community to join them.

Tuesday, setting up a telethon-type operation in the chamber’s office, the organization held their annual membership drive to continue to increase chamber membership.

“It’s been amazing for me to see the connections made today,” Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce director Jane Flowers said.

Invitations to non-member businesses were mailed earlier and then chamber volunteers began calling Tuesday to follow-up. Five hours into the day they had signed up six new members with plenty more still left to call and follow-up with before the end of the day.

Dirtworks, located on Warrenton Road, owned by Harry and Hunt Gilliland, received the invitation and called the chamber Tuesday to signup.

“That’s a family-owned business that realizes the importance of the chamber,” Stefani Evans, vice president of Guaranty Bank and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Those businesses who joined Tuesday will be featured in the chamber’s monthly newsletter and receive a goody bag of candy and balloons, which were donated by Paper Plus. Those who paid their membership fee Tuesday were also entered into a drawing to receive a free week of advertising on the chamber’s marquee, a $120 value.

Flowers said Joe Bonelli Construction also joined the chamber during the membership drive.

“He’s back in this community doing business and people need to know about it,” Flowers said. “I welcome him and his company into the chamber.”

New members are partnered with an ambassador member for 90 days to explain to them all of the benefits that come with being a member like logging onto the website, introducing them at the luncheons and advertising.

“It’s so nice to have somebody in the chamber who can help you and be your buddy,” Evans said.

Another new member is Nancy Bell at the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum. Evans said Bell was the chamber president in 1990 and rejoined Tuesday because she believes in the promotion the chamber provides and the community involvement it creates.

Members of the chamber were the perfect volunteers to help with the drive because they could attest to the organization’s benefits. Evans said the organization creates incredible networking and promotional opportunities.

Flowers said promoting the businesses that are members of the chamber is their mission, which also includes many nonprofit organizations.

Donna Osburn, Ashley Gatian of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nick Jones from Chik-Fil-A and Donna Cook Gray of the Vicksburg Convention all helped man the phones Tuesday.

Anyone interested in joining the chamber can call 601-636-1012.