Community of Hope Ministries and Curry in a Hurry were double winners and Ron Smith of S&A Cherokee was the lifetime achievement award winner Thursday night in the Garner Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual Summit Awards.
Image Credit: Garner Economic Development Corporation
Community of Hope, a 501(c) 3 corporation that assists families in need, was named the winner of the non-profit achievement award and the award for steady growth and achievement. Curry in a Hurry, which was a finalist in four of the six award categories, won for excellence in business and for vision and value
The other major award winners were Aversboro Coffee for an entrepreneurial spirit and Chick-Fil-A for creating value for its customers.
The awards presentation was filled with joviality as ABC 11 Eyewitness News’ Andrea Blanford returned for her second year as host.
“This is just so much fun,” Blanford told the capacity crowd at The Grand Marquise Ballroom. “It is so good to come and talk about all of the good things that you are doing.”
Ron Smith, Fay Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Smith received the Faye Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifetime of consistent contributions to his business, to his industry, to the Garner Chamber of Commerce and to the community.
“Business does so much for a community,” Smith said. “And our chamber is just amazing. The chamber and our businesses helped move Garner from being a bedroom community into a thriving community.
“When I came here 40 years ago, we had a population of about 5,000 and you couldn’t buy a suit here. Without businesses, a community can’t prosper.”
Smith said he was overwhelmed with the lifetime achievement award, especially since it is named for Gardner, one of his long-time friends.
“To be recognized by your community really makes an award mean more because it is being done by your peers,” he said. “No one gets involved in the community to receive praise, but it is nice to get a pat on the back.”
Chamber president Neal Padgett said Smith had been a mentor. Smith helped guide Padgett during his first years at the Chamber and in 2009 was instrumental in the Chamber beginning three major events: The Connect Conference to discuss business issues in Garner; the Summit Awards and the Broadway Voices concert series.
“And Ron was insistent that he and I meet on a regular basis with Hardin Watkins, who was then the town manager,“ Padgett said. “Ron thought it was very important for the town and local businesses to communicate and to work together when they could. The Connect Conference and Broadway Voices are examples of how the town, the chamber and local business can work together for the community.”
The three Summit Award finalists in each category and the winner were chosen by out-of-state judges from submitted nominations.
The red carpet was ground zero for selfies. Image Credit: Angela Davis
There also were People’s Choice Awards in 11 different categories. A record 22,000 on-line votes, up from 10,000 the last two years, were cast. Garner Chiropractic and Wellness Center, the winner in the Best Health Care category, received the most votes of the 57 finalists with 800.
The other People’s Choice winners were: Family Auto Service, Xerox/Carolina Office Systems, Garner Police and Athletic and Activities League, Chick-Fil-A, State Employees Credit Union, Carolina Glass & Mirror, Body Wellness Massage Therapy, Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Be Home Realty and Garner Appliance and Mattress.
Neal Padgett received a special award for his years of service. Image Credit: Early Easley Iannello
Padgett, who has announced his retirement, was given a special award.
“I think it was our best awards ever,” Padgett said. “I went out on top.”
Faye Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award
Ron Smith, S&A Cherokee
Summit Award winners
Huebner Family McDonald’s Entrepreneurial
Jones Keystone Insurance Excellence in Business
First Citizens Forever First
Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge Non-profit Achievement
La Cocina Steady Growth and Achievement
Wells Fargo Vision and Values
People’s Choice Awards
Best Automotive Services
Presented by CEI - The Digital Office
Best Business to Business Partner
Presented by Langdon & Company, CPAs
Image Credit: Garner PAAL.
Best Community Partner
Presented by BPG Management Company
Garner Police Athletic & Activities League
Best Eats and Drinks
Presented by Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates
Best Financial Services
Presented by Matthews Motors
Best Healthcare Winner Garner Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Dr. Katie Lucht(L) and Betsy Young Blood (R).
Best Health Care
Presented by Be Home Realty
Garner Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Best Home Services
Presendted by State Farm-Lindsey Weaver
Best Personal Services
Presented by B.E.S.T. Inc. Commercial Roofing
Best Professional Services
Presented by Coastal Credit Union
Best Real Estate Experience
Presented by State Farm-Meg Hunter
Best Shopping
Presented by Turner Farms Self Storage