BRYANT — The Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce recognized individuals and businesses for their service to the community Jan. 28 at the chamber’s 43rd annual winter banquet and silent auction at the Center at Bishop Park.
Rae Ann Fields, executive director of the chamber, presented Community Commitment awards to the following:
• Woman of the Year — Karen Spears, who volunteers with Healing Waters Outreach Center in Shannon Hills. Spears coordinated monthly community dinners, worked with the Angel Tree program and helped develop an after-school program at the outreach center.
• Man of the Year — Adam Carson, who owns and operates Carson Physical Therapy. Carson coordinated a drive at his business that resulted in collecting 300 pairs of jeans for kids through the Bryant Rotary Club, which he has served as president.
• Small Business of the Year — Dinner’s Ready Catering. This company partners with local nonprofits with fundraising events, including preparing the Highlight Bryant lunch and not charging for it so the money the chamber collects goes to the Boys and Girls Club of Bryant.
• Large Business of the Year — Entergy Corp. Entergy recently offered a $3,000 grant to Civitan Services to support its murder-mystery dinner theater, which was a fundraiser for the organization’s $3.5 million building campaign. The company also sends volunteers to work as servers at the Civitan Services Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
• Organization of the Year — the Junior Auxiliary of Saline County. The Junior Auxiliary provides services to children in Saline County. Among the organization’s projects is a backpack program that provides food for needy children during extended breaks from school.
“We had almost 50 nominees,” Fields said, noting that nominees came from chamber members, as well as others in the community. “We were excited to have that many nominated. That speaks volumes about how many committed, wonderful people and companies we have here.”
Fields also gave recognition to Kathy Pannell as Ambassador of the Year, Allison Ramsey as 2015 president of the board of directors and Julie Roltsch as a past board member.
Carlton Billingsley, 2016 president of the chamber’s board of directors, addressed the crowd of approximately 400. He introduced the new board members, which include Todd Sellers, vice president; Kim Leech, treasurer; Brooke Chumley, secretary; Allison Ramsey, past president; and Jason Brown, Dianne Jester, Andy Garcia, Jeremiah Oltmans, Tom Kimbrell, Suzanne Passmore, Greg Thompson and Megan Caldwell, directors.
Ken Goodman of Hot Springs, vocalist, and Ray Liebau of Malvern, keyboardist, provided entertainment. Goodman also served as master of ceremonies for the event, which also featured a catered meal and a silent auction of items donated by local businesses. Proceeds raised through the auction will be used to fund chamber projects and activities.