Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts 2021 Awards Celebration
Over 75 people gathered on Thursday for the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce 2021 Awards Celebration at Leeds First Baptist Church. Ambrosia catered a delicious lunch and different community leaders were recognized with their annual awards presentation.
2021 Ambassador of the Year Award Recipient - Randell Pickering
The 2021 Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Randell Pickering with Mills Pharmacies. This award is presented each year to a Chamber Corporate Ambassador who has volunteered many hours of service to the chamber. Ambassadors are asked to attend monthly meetings and volunteer their time at Chamber and community events in return for additional exposure for their business. Randell currently serves as the Chamber Ambassador Chairperson. He continually works in a leadership role for the Chamber to aid in development of chamber committees such as our new Retail Support Committee and our new Young Professionals group. He also brings new ideas to the table as we all work together to grow the Chamber and better support our business community. You will see Randell at most every Chamber and community event promoting Mills Pharmacies and he serves as a great example of how the Chamber of Commerce can partner to help your business grow. He is an awesome representative for our chamber and community.
2021 Civic Award Recipients - Chris and Christy McCombs
The 2021 Civic Award to Chris and Christy McCombs with C & C Motor Company. For the last five years, this couple has organized and conducted the Cruising the Creek Bank Car Show that has grown to over 300 automobiles. These events have made a significant contribution to the annual Creek Bank Festival and raised money for Leeds Outreach and Backpack Buddies. Chris & Christy donate time and money each year and the two of them work tirelessly all throughout the year to make this car show a success. The McCombs have also raised thousands of dollars over the years for Moody Miracle League through their car show at Moody’s Oktoberfest. This year, Chris was the brain child for the Cruising for Toys event Leeds hosted in November to raise money for kids toys for Christmas. “I just want to do something for the kids. It’s all about the kids and I really want to do an event to collect toys for Christmas to make a difference in the lives of these children,” shared Chris. Over $3500 was raised and more than a thousand toys were donated to this cause. Besides all of the work involved, Chris donated $500 for the cash giveaway to encourage people to come out. He then went and purchased numerous bicycles out of his own pocket to make sure there were plenty of toys for the kids this Christmas. All proceeds and toys from the event were donated to Leeds Outreach to administer these gifts to needy families. Chris & Christy have a huge heart for others and spend their free time working to make a difference in the lives of others without expecting anything in return.
2021 Non-Profit of the Year Award Recipient - Ann’s New Life Center Leeds
Ann’s New Life Center was the recipient of the 2021 Non-Profit of the Year Award. This award is presented each year to a non-profit organization that serves the Leeds area community in a caring manner through their time, talents and services to the citizens of Leeds. Ann’s New Life Center has been a fabulous addition to Leeds. This non-profit organization offers pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, education, and support. All services are free and confidential. The ability to provide ultrasounds has been a great addition to the services Ann’s New Life Center provides. Pregnancy classes, new parent classes and parenting skills classes are among the educational opportunities for their clients. New parents are able to earn baby bucks to spend in Ann’s baby store to obtain the infant supplies they need to provide for their babies as they anticipate the birth of a child. Parenting classes are available for both the prospective mother and dad. Most of all, Ann’s New Life Center provides a place that young people can receive acceptance, love and help that they desperately need. This center offers hope for unplanned pregnancies and help for those going through the trauma of a past abortion. Their success rate in helping people keep their babies is phenomenal. Susan Meredith, Director of the Leeds center, accepted the award. She and her volunteers do a great job. Ann's New Life is totally supported by those who care about "saving babies" and empowering women to make the right choice through education and support.
Non-Profit of the Year 2021 L-R: Chamber President Bill Morris, Susan Meredith – Ann’s New Life Center & Chamber Immediate Past President Dona Bonnett.
2021 Business of the Year Recipient – Millennial Bank
The 2021 Business of the Year Award was presented to Millennial Bank. This coveted award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated a consistent and genuine commitment to strong business ethics and who has served the Leeds area in a special and caring manner. Everyone knows how important it is to be plugged in and how a business can positively impact a community. Over the last few years, Millennial Bank has been a constant in local support. The bank sponsors the Leader of the month signs for our schools, has paid off past due lunch accounts for students, paid for back-to-school haircuts, serve as an athletic sponsor for Leeds City Schools and recently hosted free pictures with Santa. Millennial Bank was chartered in 1997 as Covenant Bank. Headquartered in Leeds, the bank currently serves the greater Birmingham area, primarily in three counties: Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair. Millennial Bank is the product of a merger with Covenant Bank in 2018. Tiffiany Ward serves as the Bank Manager. Millennial Bank constantly look for positive ways to impact Leeds.
Business of the Year 2021 L-R: Bill Morris – Leeds Water Works Board & Chamber President, Sandra McGuire- Chamber Executive Director, Tiffiany Ward – Millennial Bank Manager, Brad Collins – Millennial Director and Chief Executive Officer and Tom Healan – Millennial Director and Chief Financial Officer.
Chamber Board Member Recognition and Installation
Alabama State Representative and Chamber Ex-Officio Dickie Drake, recognized Bill Morris for serving as the 2021 Chamber President and presented the gavel plaque. In addition, Drake installed the incoming 2022 chamber board as follows: President Bill Morris - Leeds Water Works Board, 1st Vice-President Tiffiany Ward – Millennial Bank, 2nd Vice-President – Jeannie Cole – The Shops of Grand River, Treasurer Steven Weems – First Baptist Church Leeds, Immediate Past President Dona Bonnett - adr Business & Marketing Strategies, Fred Britt - Power Composites, Chris Savage - Kinetic by Windstream, Steve Karr - Leeds Arts Council, Kayla Jones - Merch Boutique, Alicia Wilson - Chick-fil-A, Debbie Watkins - Watkins Realty, Rachel Borrello - Workout Anytime Leeds, John Moore - Leeds City Schools Superintendent, Linda Miller - Guardian Systems and Sandra McGuire, Chamber Executive Director.
2021 Corporate Sponsor Recognition - Thank you to our Sponsors
President Bill Morris recognized corporate partners and sponsors: Presenting Sponsor – City of Leeds, Corporate Partner – Lehigh Cement, Gold Sponsors – Brunson, Barnett & Sherrer, P.C., Hubbell Power Systems and Revocation Radio, Silver Sponsor – Leeds Water Works and Millennial Bank, Bronze Sponsors – adr Business & Marketing Strategies, AMAC Design Builders, America’s First Federal Credit Union, BancorpSouth, Buc-ee’s, Guardian Systems, Inc., IKG USA, M & M Tax Accounting, Power Composites, The Outlet Shops of Grand River and Kinetic by Windstream.
Corporate Sponsors not pictured:
Corporate Partners - Lehigh Cement Company, Gold Sponsors - Brunson, Barnett & Sherrer, P.C., Hubbell Power Systems, Inc., Revocation Radio, Bronze Sponsors - AMAC Design Builders, LLC, America's First Federal Credit Union, BancorpSouth Bank, Buc-ee's, IKG USA, Inc. and M & M Tax and Accounting.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Beginning with the January 2022 luncheon, plans are to meet at Leeds First Methodist Church Family Life Center. Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
For more information about the annual awards celebration and Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, please call (205) 699-5001.
Photos courtesy of Dona Bonnett