Templeton gears up for annual Christmas Tree Auction and Community Awards
By Camille DeVaul · Wed Nov 26 2025
Chamber recognizes Citizens and Businesses of the Year, including the Jermin family, Chicago Landfill, and ABI Engineering
TEMPLETON — The Paso Robles–Templeton Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Templeton Christmas Tree Auction and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at SpringHill Suites, bringing together residents, local business leaders, and friends to celebrate the generosity and resilience of the community.
At the center of the evening are 13 decorated Christmas trees, each donated by local businesses and organizations. Each tree is auctioned, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit of the sponsoring organization, while the winning bidder receives the tree along with its assortment of festive prizes. Tree sponsors this year include Cal Coast Beer Co. & Weyrick, who partnered to benefit the Mission Outreach Family Fund (MOFF); Radiology Associates, supporting Cancer Support Community; Chicago Grade Landfill; Templeton Women’s Charitable Club; Culligan SLO; Gannage; All Dry; Sunshine Olive Oil & Digs Vacation Rentals, supporting the Chamber; JB Dewar, benefiting JB Dewar’s Tractor Restoration Program; Fox Chiropractic; and Central Coast Moving Co.
“The Christmas Tree Auction is one of Templeton’s most meaningful traditions," said Robert Covarrubias, CEO of the Chamber. "Each beautifully curated tree represents the generosity of our local businesses and the heart of our community. When a tree is auctioned off, it doesn’t just brighten someone’s home for the holidays — it directly supports the nonprofit of that business’s choice. That impact ripples far beyond the season, strengthening the organizations that care for Templeton all year long.”
In addition to the auction, the Chamber will honor the 2025 Citizens and Businesses of the Year. This year’s Citizen of the Year award goes to the Jermin family of Templeton Feed & Grain. The Jermins have been a cornerstone of Templeton since Tom Jermin Sr. founded the feed store in 1946. The business has long served farmers, pet owners, and neighbors, while also acting as a central figure for the community.
The community was tested on July 4, when a devastating fire destroyed the historic wooden grain silos. The blaze, which required support from emergency units across the county, left a smoldering shell where a symbol of the town's heritage once stood. The Jermin family, however, remained steadfast and resilient, reopening at a new temporary location. They managed not to miss a single scheduled operating hour.
"We are deeply touched by the community's support, and we're grateful for the opportunity to continue serving them," said Rick Jermin.
This year, the Chamber also recognizes two local businesses for their support following the fire. ABI Engineering played a critical role in safely bringing down partially burned and unstable silos. Owner Andy Brown, a lifelong North County resident, coordinated local officials to develop a controlled cable system for demolition.
Founded in 2002 with a single backhoe and a desk at home, ABI Engineering has grown into a full-service company with more than 40 pieces of equipment. Brown credits the company’s success to a family-like culture within the company.
Waste Connections’ Chicago Landfill is the second business honored for its role in the fire recovery. Site manager Dannette Fieguth led efforts to manage debris, coordinating with district management, contractors, and volunteers to sort and recycle materials. Chicago Landfill ensured proper disposal and repurposing of the leftover materials. Much of the wood and grain was reused for erosion control.
Operating since the 1970s and part of Waste Connections since 2021, Chicago Landfill combines national resources with a small-town ethos. Fieguth highlighted the collaboration between multiple local businesses and volunteers as key to the recovery effort.
"It's an honor to be recognized," Fieguth said. "But I also feel a little humble because there were a lot of other people that came together, a lot of other companies that gave of their own time and expense. So I'm just really honored."
You can learn more about each award winner in the December issue of Paso Magazine and Atascadero News Magazine.
Tickets are still available to attend the auction. Visit, pasorobleschamber.com for more information.
Feature Image by Rick Evans/PRP