Last week, we shared the highlights of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s 104th Annual Awards ceremony. I wanted to take the opportunity today to add a few take-backs from the evening.
Congratulations to the big winners: Business of the Year Stueder Contractors; Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl; NextGen Leader of the Year Cody Harrison; and Legacy Award Winner Mark Calcara. You can read all about those awards in the March 3 edition of the Great Bend Tribune.
Benn Maddox and Sonya Rein were also recognized with trophies for their volunteer work for the Chamber. They are members of the Ambassadors Club and the trophies are called “Chamby Awards.” Introduced in 2022, the Chamby Awards put a fun twist on recognition. These lighthearted honors were inspired by the “Dundie Awards” from the television series “The Office.”
Benn received the Hosted the Mosted trophy, awarded to the Ambassador who stepped up to host the most Chamber Coffees this past year.
Sonya’s trophy is called Ribbon Cutting Champ, given to the Ambassador who made the most appearances in ribbon-cutting photos. As the Chamber noted, she was “always ready with a giant red ribbon and a big smile.”
Days after the big evening, people were complimenting our Mayor, Alan Moeder, on the meal served that night. He is the “A” in A & G Catering and his wife Gail is the “G.”
The emcee for the evening was Shannon Towns from Eagle Media and chamber volunteer Arlen Schroeder, who is a certified lay speaker for the Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Mike Johnson, chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, gave the welcome that kicked off the award presentations.
When Nancy Sundahl accepted her award as Citizen of the Year, she told the audience, “This community is the greatest.”
We hear that a lot. Honestly, when people from other communities attend Chamber Coffees, they often say something along the line of, “You don’t see this kind of attendance at other Chamber Coffees.” And of course many of those same people are making a difference in the community.
The Chamber isn’t the only group making a difference in Great Bend. There are churches, civic groups and individuals who aren’t part of any particular group but are willing to step up and lend a hand where it is needed. Even if Great Bend isn’t unique that way, it is something to be proud of and something to encourage.
Susan Thacker is managing editor of the Great Bend Tribune. Send email to sthacker@gbtribune.com.
