CAIRO — The Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce held its 93rd annual banquet Thursday at the Grady Cultural Center and unveiled the winners of the 2018 Chamber Awards.

The chamber sought public input for nominations for the awards, meant to recognize outstanding individuals in the community, beginning in December.

Chamber assistant director Courtney Salapa King presented the awards.

Categories included Large and Small Business of the Year, for companies that positively impact the community and have more than or fewer than 100 employees respectively, awarded to Grady General Hospital and Southern Insurance of Cairo.

Grady General Hospital’s leadership was described as hard-working and dedicated.

“(Grady General) has received multiple awards of excellence in the past decade,” King said. “2018’s Business of the Year has been featured in magazines, news articles and recently was recognized as the top business of its kind in the State of Georgia.”

King described SouthernInsurance as being heavily involved in the community, particularly following Hurricane Michael.

“After the storm came, (Southern Insurance) never closed and worked on insurance claims from the moment the storm passed through,” King said. “Employees were willing to give out their personal cellphone numbers to help customers. This business even helped customers who used other agencies.”

Man and Woman of the Year, given to individuals involved in work that positively contributes to the success of their business and the county, were awarded to Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club director Stephen Francis and Whigham businesswoman Sheli Ladner.

King said Francis has worked to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club by attracting national and local celebrities and securing grants.

“(Francis) has devoted his life to inspiring, motivating and mentoring the youth of Grady County,” King said.

An annual impact report King cited found 91 percent of Boys & Girls Club members said they believe school is important and 100 percent said they abstained from marijuana and tobacco products.

King said Ladner, who owns This is Home for Us in Whigham, has contributed to her hometown by beautifying the city and encouraging growth and tourism.

“(Ladner) moved into a run-down grocery store that she renovated and allowed business owners to rent space to display and sell their merchandise,” King said. “This woman promotes small businesses and works hard to bring people to Whigham.”

Young Professional of the Year, given to individuals 40 years of age or younger who have demonstrated “high-minded self-sacrifice both within their profession and in community activities,” was given to Grady Electric Membership Corporation member services director Adam Star.

King said Star, a 2001 Cairo High School graduate, began working at Grady EMC during a “turbulent” time when they were under “unprecedented attacks.”

“(Star) was instrumental in turning the tide of public opinion through his positive and progressive use of social media,” King said.

King said Star kept Grady EMC members informed following Hurricane Michael while simultaneously managing the logistics of handling the influx of guest workers.

“He even moved outside his in-house duties to help clear roads with a chainsaw, pump fuel for trucks and deliver transformers to workers in the field,” King said.

Chamber executive director Trey Gainous created an additional award, the “Trey With the Chamber Award,” to thank county Joint Development Authority Executive Director Julian Brown.

“He does his job very well and he’s done huge things for this community,” Gainous said.

Farm Family of the Year, awarded based on a family’s “contributions to farming, their community, and to fellow citizens,” was presented to Hopkins Farms.

Former plantation manager Wendell Cullen Gainey, a World War II veteran who served in the Army from 1942 to 1945, was awarded Deceased Veteran of the Year.

Gainey’s award was accepted by his son and 91-year-old brother.

W. O. Odis McKinney, a former volunteer in the Navy, received the Veteran of the Year award.

Southside Elementary School fifth grade teacher Shawn Woodward was awarded Teacher of the Year.

Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Holli Allen.

Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year, Man and Woman of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and Farm Family of the Year were submitted secretly by members of the community.

The nominations were given equal consideration by chamber executives and business leaders from outside the county, selected by Gainous, who served as blind judges.

Other activities throughout the night included cocktail hour at the Grady County Museum and History Center and musical entertainment provided by the Barry & Gary Dueling Pianos Show.

Cairo High School’s culinary arts program catered the event.

The banquet was the first under Gainous, who became executive director July 2018.