Project Christmas wins citizenship award

Project Christmas received a gift of its own Thursday night.

The organization, which helps hundreds of needy children and their families each holiday season, took home the Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award from McDowell County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.

The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the county. It is given by the Chamber each year to an individual, group or organization that donates time to making the community a better place.

Before presenting the award, Robin Nicholson, government and community relations manager of Duke Energy, told the packed house at Tom Johnson Camping Center that the local charity organization received 332 applications in 2010 and provided food for 180 families and presents for 648 children.

“(Project Christmas) places service above self,” said Nicholson. “They are committed to humanitarian assistance.”

Twelve-year Project Christmas co-directors Richelle Bailey and Carla Patrick accepted the award.

“We were told when we took this over 12 years ago that we needed to give it up after four years, that nobody had directed it longer than four years,” Bailey stated. “We continue to do it today because it is such a humbling experience for both of us.”

Patrick said she wanted to thank the Chamber, Duke Energy and all the people who make Project Christmas a success every year.

“This award is for all of the businesses, churches, schools, individuals and volunteers who keep this project moving forward year after year,” she stated. “It absolutely wouldn’t work without the cooperation of everyone in the community.”

New Chamber Board of Directors President Amy Johnson announced that the Chamber was donating $500 to the holiday effort.

In years past, the Chamber chose several nominees for the award, but Project Christmas was the only one in 2011.

However, the Chamber did present its first Ambassador of the Year Award to Miranda Lewis of Manpower. The program was created last year as a means of interacting with current members and as a welcoming committee for new businesses in the county. Ambassadors earn points based on the number of contacts they make and their attendance at Chamber events, meetings of the Ambassadors Committee and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

“Miranda is employed at Manpower, which is a faithful supporter of our Chamber,” Johnson told those in attendance. “She is a hard worker in all that she does and we’re delighted that she is a Chamber ambassador.”

The Chamber also recognized its new executive committee, which includes Johnson, Vice President Kevin Griffin, Treasurer Chris Fowler and Past President Steve Brown. Its 2011 committee chairs are Griffin, broadband expansion; Tami Newman, business development; Caroline Rodier, community collaboration; Brown, conference center; Debbie Moore, events management; Fowler, financial management; and Griffin, nominations.

“This is my fifth year as a board member and my third year as part of the executive committee,” said Johnson. “It has been a pleasure working with such a dedicated, business-minded and insightful group of individuals. … As the new president, I would like to continue to expand on the many projects already set in motion.”

Johnson named the different committees branched from the board.

The retail division includes Jan Allison, Alumay Designs; David Hicks, Auto Tech Collision Center; Mae Lackey, Grace Designs; Joyce McCloskey, Cranberry’s & Lace; and Rob Noyes, Countryside Bar-B-Que and Hook & Anchor.

The service division is made up of Gloria Bagwell, Arbonne International; Jerry Broome, McDowell JobLink Career Center; Brown, S.L. Brown Financial; Sherry Carroll, Manpower Inc.; Fowler, Asheville Savings Bank; Griffin, Johnson, Price & Sprinkle; Ed Hannon, The McDowell Hospital; Johnson, McDowell Cornerstone Credit Union; Newman, ERA Mountain View Properties; and Chris Vaughn, Frontier Communications.

The manufacturing division consists of Kevin Givens, Coats North American; Russ Laney, Baxter Healthcare; and Amy Rymer, Perfect Air Control.

            “Collectively, these committees touch almost every aspect of the county,” Johnson stated. “This makes the Chamber more valuable to your business, therefore making your business more valuable to you and the county.”

            She listed some of the direct benefits of being a Chamber member: “Shop Local” program with billboard giveaways (allows for free advertisement), placement of information at the Visitors Center (also allows for free advertisement), access to printed Chamber mailing lists and membership information on the website and networking and sponsorship opportunities at events like Thursday night’s meeting, the Chamber’s annual golf tournament, a fall evening event and Business-After-Hours.