FORTVILLE — The Fortville-McCordsville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its fifth-annual awards ceremony and fundraising event in style: With black ties, green velvet and poker chips.
The Chamber’s Casino Night was a way to raise money for the organization while honoring its members’ accomplishments along the way, executive director Nancy Strickland said.
After dinner and the awards ceremony, members hit the blackjack tables and roulette wheels to help raise money for the organization, which supports local businesses and organizations in all parts of the private sector.
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It’s especially important to recognize people who do so much for the community in which they live, Strickland said. Those who give back deserve the praise, and it’s fun nights like these that give them an opportunity to give it to them, she said.
“When you’re in business, you hear about the negative, all the time,” Strickland said. “So it’s good to give them some positive feedback and know that there are people on their side.”
The Chamber awards aren’t just a chance to celebrate the business owners, entrepreneurs and volunteers who are already active members of the organization, said vice president Phil Edwards, pastor at the Fortville Church of the Nazarene. It’s an occasion for longtime members to connect with other businesses and nonprofits in the area interested in joining.
“We’re constantly reaching out to establish new businesses,” Edwards said. “Hopefully, this will allow us to reach out to other members of the community for a great time of fellowship.”
Jake Burgess, owner of Fortville’s Foxgardin Kitchen and Ale, was given the organization’s Customer Service Award. It’s nice to be part of a community that acknowledges and respects the significance of a personalized experience in the small-business world, he said.
“When you come to places with such fine-tuned service, you realize we’re not just a chain restaurant or hotel,” Burgess said. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s nice to be recognized for what we work so hard for.”
The Mt. Vernon Optimist Club received the Not-for-Profit Award. Service organizations exist as the backbone to their town’s youth base, said board member Jason Ratliff. Offering scholarships, special events and sports programs, the Optimist Club serves more than 1,200 children in the Mt. Vernon school system. With five kids of his own, Ratliff said, he’s seen first-hand what the organization has done for their hometown.
“It’s really those service organizations who represent the health and wellness of the community,” Ratliff said. “We really appreciate the chance to give back.”
A look of surprise came over the face of Vernon Township Trustee Jim Nolte when his name was announced as the winner of the Skip Kuker Community Leadership Award, the Chamber’s highest honor. Nolte has served as trustee for eight years, and he’s truly going to cherish the experience as he retires from the post after this year.
Nolte has always felt passionate about giving a helping hand to any neighbor who needs it, he said. He was humbled by the award and appreciated the recognition, he said.
“It’s truly a great honor to serve this community,” Nolte said. “We went through a severe economic depression, and it’s taken time to overcome it. But the important thing is that we’ve tried to serve everybody, especially at the lowest times in their lives. It’s been my honor to serve for the past eight years, and I’m going to truly miss it.”
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Chamber Philanthropist Award: Fritz Fentz
Health and Human services award: Deacon Frank
Not for Profit Award: Mt. Vernon Optimists
Customer Service Award: Jake Burgess, Foxgardin
Community Relations Award: McCordsville United Methodist Church
Business member of the year award: Greenfield Banking Company
Chamber George Award: Jeff Summers
Skip Kuker Community Leadership Award: Jim Nolte, Vernon Township Trustee
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