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Annual Chamber Gala recognizes area businesses and groups for service
The annual Nevada- Vernon County Chamber of Commerce Gala and Awards Banquet recognized deserving individuals and businesses that have contributed to the betterment of the area through their business, community and civic involvement.
Saturday night's winners included On My Own, for large business; Hoffman Financial Resources, for small business; Farmers' Ag and Grain Supply for agri-business; Healthy Nevada for community involvement; and Aimee Meyer, as outgoing Chamber Board president.
Making the presentations were new Chamber Board President Leva Richmond, Vice President Frank Arnold, and Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Eaton.
On My Own serves Bates, Cedar, Hickory, St. Clair and Vernon counties as a center for independent living, with the mission of "empowering people with disabilities to live as full and productive members of society."
Director Jennifer Gundy accepted for On My Own, thanking the citizens for their help and understanding "in making the community more accessible for people with disabilities."
Hoffman Financial Resources' mission is to "provide financial well being through exceptional service, education and communication.
Owner Greg Hoffman accepted on behalf of his company and staff.
"The community has been so good to me during our 38 years. I have a great team," at Hoffman, he said.
Farmers Ag and Grain Supply provides agricultural services to the farm community.
Brantley Johnson with Farmers Ag expressed his thanks to the business' customers and employees.
Healthy Nevada, a partnership between the city of Nevada and the Cerner Corporation, seeks to "build a new model of health and care that will seamlessly integrate the two environments and create a Healthy Nevada. The project aims to increase Vernon County and Nevada's ranking in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation annual report from the bottom third to the top third over a five-year period."
At the time the initiative was launched, Vernon County ranked 88th out of 115 counties in Missouri for health outcomes and 77th for health factors, according to the city's website.
Accepting for Healthy Nevada were members of its board.
Carol Branham thanked her fellow board members, Cerner and support staff.
"Life is full of opportunities. We strive to engage the community with choices for well-being. Without our partners, the community would not be as successful."
Branham touched on the new community trail as "one of our most exciting projects."
The plan calls for a half-mile paved trail, which will be located behind Nevada Middle School. Usage is expected not only by the students but community walking groups, Heartland Behavioral Health services, and the Nevada Public Library's summer reading program.
Members of Healthy Nevada have been speaking to various civic groups to build awareness, touting the connection between learning and exercise.
Healthy Nevada board member and City Manager JD Kehrman told the Gala audience of the beginning of the Healthy Nevada effort, noting the common refrain was that city and community leaders were "crazy" for tackling such a project.
"But we have come together to improve the health of our community and that health is owned by all of you."
The final award of the evening was presented to outgoing Chamber Board President Aimee Meyer in appreciation for her work over the past year.
"I'm excited about the growth in Nevada," Meyer said. "I'm proud to be a part of the chamber and of the community. And I'm proud to say I'm from here."