The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is going the extra mile this October for National Chamber Appreciation Month. Instead of having chamber members all come to them at one designated time, chamber executive director Cassie Medley and others are making special appearances at Red Bay, Phil Campbell and Russellville to meet and greet and show their appreciation for the members of the chamber.

“It’s about giving back to the members and showing how grateful we are for them,” Medley said.

Part of that “giving back” has been made possible by a grant from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Association. Medley said AMLA funding facilitated a reprinting of Franklin County brochures, a set of mini-grants distributed to several local tourism destinations and the printing of postcards highlighting must-see places to visit across Franklin County.

“The purpose of the grant is to promote tourism in the county by giving back to those attractions,” Medley said.

Medley said the new postcards will spotlight Dismals Canyon, the Historic Roxy Theatre, Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park, the BCDA and the Red Bay Museum.

Along with that, each of those attractions receives a monetary amount that they will use to promote or benefit their attraction in some way.

The chamber’s sixth annual Christmas ornament for chamber members is also now available. Ornaments are being given out to the members who attend these appreciations days and will also be delivered to other members soon. Medley said that these keepsakes will also be available for purchase at the chamber office.

“This year the ornament features Hotel Red Bay. That was a decision voted on by the board,” Medley explained.

Oct. 10 was the first appreciation day at Red Bay City Hall. Phil Campbell’s appreciation day was held Oct. 17 at 11 a.m., and Russellville’s will be Oct. 20, also at 11 a.m.