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Community clinic receives accolades at chamber event |
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Tuesday, 12 February 2008 |
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By Lynda Hollenbeck
Courier Staff Benton’s Christian Community Care Clinic received the top accolade Monday night at the annual Benton Area Chamber of Commerce banquet at the Benton High School cafeteria.
Instead of a single individual being recognized as Citizen of the Year, all of the volunteers of the clinic received the honor. Stephanie Duke accepted the award on behalf of the clinic.
“These volunteers so selflessly give of their time and talents so that others less fortunate ... may have health care they otherwise would go without,” Eddie Black, interim executive director of the chamber, said while outlining the criteria for the award.
“I want you to stop for a moment and just think about what Citizen of the Year? means to you,” Black said. “It should conjure up many traits and qualities you would expect to find in a Citizen of the Year and bring to mind faces of people that you think exemplify this award.”
He noted that the recipients have risen “above the norm by their actions and are being recognized ... for that effort.”
He said they have “put others above self and have worked to make a difference in our community” by volunteering their time and offering their “God-given talents and expertise to serve others that are less fortunate.”
Black said citizens of the year care about their community and those that live in it and especially those that are not as able to provide for themselves ... .
To be a Citizen of the Year, he said, means to have “a giving and loving spirit and being willing to freely share this with others.”
In addition to Duke, a number of other clinic volunteers attended the banquet.
The criteria for the Citizen of the Year was in keeping with the theme of guest speaker Keith Jackson, a former National Football League player, who founded the nonprofit Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids.
The program serves junior and senior high school students who may be at risk of dropping out of school and giving into the pressures of drugs, alcohol, sex and gangs.
Jackson encouraged residents to become involved in the community and to have a common goal.
“You’ve gotta get in the game,” he said. “You’ve gotta become one, fight for the same goals and be on the same team.”
Taking care of the needs of young people is particularly important, he said. “Cities dwindle because they [leaders] have not take care of their youth.”
Other awards presented at the banquet recognized the Business Student of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador of the Year.
Tiffany Terry, a senior at Benton High School, followed her sister’s example by receiving the business award.
The daughter of Brad and Natalie Terry, Tiffany is an honor student at Benton High School and is scheduled to graduate in May. She plans to pursue a business education degree at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and hopes to return to BHS to teach business students.
Her sister, Tonya Terry, was the 2006 recipient of the honor.
Tiffany Terry is an active member of Single Action Shooters Society and holds the state championships for both Arkansas and Mississippi. Through SASS she competes with outstanding shooters in the state. Her goal is to attend the World End of Trail Shootout and compete on an international level with some of the world’s best shooters.
She is active in the youth group at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Alexander. The group is actively involved in mission trips and volunteer activities for the congregation.
Jill Johnson, named Volunteer of the Year, was commended for the leadership she exhibited for the Cajun Feast, which is the chamber’s largest fundraiser.
Black said the award, in her case, could be called “the leadership and exercise in delegation award for 2007.”
He noted that Johnson “voluntarily stepped up and took over” the fundraiser when the chamber was in transition after longtime director Mark Gillis resigned.
“She was able to get everyone where they were needed, when they were needed and executed one of the most successful Cajun Feast events ever,” Black said.
Because of Johnson’s outstanding volunteer nature and willingness to take charge, the chamber “did not disappoint with an event that has become a tradition and that many look forward to all year,” Black said.
He also recognized three other volunteers who worked on that project — Ricky Smart, Bill Reynolds and Larry Ross. Each received a Cajun Feast apron.
A new honor went to Leigha Floyd, who was named Ambassador of the Year.
“The Ambassadors Committee’s responsibility is to represent the chamber at all functions, such as ribbon-cuttings and new business openings and to be an ambassador in all things on behalf of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce,” Black said.
“Leigha attended every scheduled Ambassador Committee event of 2007 and has countless hours of time dedicated to these activities. She is always willing to help and to assist in any way she can and is a true Ambassador for our chamber.”
Each of the award recipients received a plaque. Outgoing board members Robert Balentine, Bill Eldridge, Mike Shipp and Scott Richey also received plaques.
Black and Matt Brumley, chamber president, also spoke at the banquet. Brumley is continuing as chamber president for another year.
Tom Baxley served as master of ceremonies.
The meal was catered by the Benton High School cafeteria staff and served by members of the Panther football team.
Dinner was music was presented by keyboardist Greg Taylor, minister of music at First United Methodist Church.
Banquet sponsors were Union Bank, Everett Buick Pontiac GMC, Rineco, Phillips-Moudy-Duke and Almatis. |
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