Effingham, IL – November 6, 2025 — The Effingham County Chamber welcomes LoveTheHam as the newest member of our business and community network. Founded in October 2022, LoveTheHam is a free, online platform created to connect volunteers with local organizations across Effingham County.
Today, 39 local agencies use the site to share a variety of ways to get involved – from one-time projects to ongoing volunteer opportunities. The platform is free for both volunteers and agencies AND includes volunteer management tools, tips, and resources to help organizations coordinate their efforts more effectively.
Through LoveTheHam, agencies can post volunteer needs where residents can lend a hand, as well as community events open to the public – including fundraisers, celebrations, and awareness activities. For example, upcoming listings feature volunteer needs for Salvation Army bell ringers and the Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) Tinsel & Tails holiday event inviting the public to attend and support EARS’s mission.
Katie Koester, President & CEO of the Chamber, shared: “We’re pleased to partner with LoveTheHam and support their mission of bringing volunteers and organizations together. The Chamber has utilized LoveTheHam since its inception to recruit volunteers for our annual EffingHAM-JAM event, and we’ve seen firsthand how effective their platform is in connecting willing hands with local needs. Their work strengthens our community by making it easier for businesses, residents, and nonprofits to give back.”
LoveTheHam can be reached via their website at LoveTheHam.org or on Facebook at @LovetheHam.org.
This Chamber membership was made possible through the Pay It Forward Program, sponsored by Koerner Distributor, Inc., a Chamber Capital Investor, which allows Capital Investors to gift Chamber memberships to local nonprofits—helping them expand their reach and impact in Effingham County.
Chamber membership gives your business access to valuable connections, resources, and opportunities designed to help you grow and succeed. To learn more, contact Membership Director Becky Brown at (217) 347-6283 or visit EffinghamCountyChamber.com.
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Pictured (back row left to right): Chamber Ambassadors Russ Runde, Randy Jones, Steve Will & Michael Wall, and Chamber President & CEO Katie Koester
Pictured (front row left to right): Chamber Ambassador Debbie Womack, Koerner Distributor, Inc. President Jordan Koerner, LoveTheHam Representative Kay Pemberton, Chamber Ambassador Jim Hecht, and Chamber Membership Director Becky Brown
About the Effingham County Chamber
Founded in 1917, the Effingham County Chamber has been a leader in supporting business growth and community progress for more than a century. Today, the Chamber continues to champion local success through advocacy, professional development, and initiatives that strengthen Effingham County’s economy. Learn more at EffinghamCountyChamber.com.