SouthShore Chamber of Commerce awards best of the best
By LOIS KINDLE
Two-hundred-and-ten SouthShore Chamber members and guests turned out for a night of dining, fellowship and awards at the chamber’s annual membership banquet Jan. 27 at Southshore Falls.
“This event gives us the opportunity to reflect on 2016, look forward to what we have in store for 2017 and acknowledge the efforts of some of our most involved members,” said Executive Director Melanie Rimes. “The chamber is in a really good place right now. Our businesses are successful, and we’re finding the secret to that success is offering them the opportunity to give something back to the community residents who support them.
“When we do that, everyone thrives.”
This year the chamber revamped its award presentation to include the following changes. Three awards were renamed: The Standing Ovation Award (formerly Ambassador of the Year); Helping Hand Award (formerly Volunteer of the Year); and Making A Difference Award (formerly Nonprofit of the Year).
Five new specialty awards were created:
• the Business Champion Award (to recognize the person who consistently offers tangible support to other chamber members and insight and ideas for growing businesses and attracting new ones);
• the Lead by Example Award (to recognize someone who, through their own actions, demonstrates to others the value of community involvement and service to others);
• the Shirley May & Bruce Scheller Commitment to Military Award (for the person exhibiting exceptional and continuous support for the military and its members;
• the Community Impact Award (to recognize someone who is committed both personally and professionally to serving South Shore and its residents;
• and the Alvarez & Madden Community Outreach Person of the Year.
The winners were as follows: Matthew Moody, Harborside Suites at Little Harbor, Business Champion; Carrie and Kevin Elwell, Kids R Kids Southshore, Lead by Example; Kelly Kowall, My Warrior’s Place, Shirley May & Bruce Scheller Commitment to Military Award; the Fredricks family, Community Impact Award; and John Smith, H&R Block, Alvarez & Madden Community Outreach Person of the Year.
Recipients were glowing after being named.
“I’m quite in awe of the award and about having a tree planted in our honor,” said Karen Fredricks. The family was truly overwhelmed. We are all so committed to being involved in the community and bringing about positive change.”
“I was shocked and surprised to say the least,” said John Smith, noting that getting to work with so many other community volunteers is a joy and privilege. “To be the first to receive an award that acknowledges two great people I looked up to is a wonderful thing.”
Following a tribute to outgoing President Joey Henderson by Rimes, Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman came up to the podium to give him a special commendation signed by each of her fellow commissioners in recognition of his outstanding dedication and leadership during 2016.
The event also included the passing of the chamber board’s leadership gavel from Henderson, of the Florida Home Partnership, to incoming President Deb Adams, of BMO Harris Bank. In their remarks, Henderson thanked the chamber board for its support throughout 2016, and Adams expressed her excitement about working with the board in the coming year.
“The banquet was a great way to kick off the year,” Rimes said. “Our chamber members are doing great things in the community, and I can’t wait to see what 2017 brings.”