Butler Little Theater is this year’s Butler County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Champion.

The award was present to the theater leaders and members Wednesday at a luncheon at the theater, One Howard St.

Shirely Ann Minehart, Butler Little Theater’s immediate past president, said the organization is in its 72nd year of productions.

Over her 24 years with the theater, Minehart said she thinks that the group’s greatest impact in the Butler community is on young people.

“I have seen young people come in through our 12-week children’s workshop and summer youth programs, and go on to major in theater or study degrees in which stage production will be a great help in their future careers,” she said. “These kids seem more confident and ready to solve problems.”

The theater puts on five regular season productions with about 450 members.

Stan Kosciuszko, chamber president, said current and past chamber board presidents come up with a list of community groups that may qualify for the award, and then the group picks the winner.