Eben Henson, Upshaw Briggs and Keith Hubbard played music throughout the night and guests were treated to local desserts provided by the Twisted Sifter, Karamel Kreations and Table 908. About 20 other local businesses got some exposure in a showroom that provided space for them to display their products.
One slight tweak to the format from last year was handing out the awards at the same time, which Cox said made the festivities run even more smoothly.
The winners of this year’s awards were:
The School Bell Awards
The School Bell Awards are given to outstanding volunteers in the local public school systems.
Boyle County’s School Bell award winner was Perryville Elementary¿School PTO President Tonya Sutton. She was presented the award by Boyle County Schools Superintendent Mike LaFavers and was praised for sacrificing countless hours through volunteer work.
Danville’s School Bell award winner was Jenny Fieberg, who has three children in the Danville Independent Schools. Fieberg, who is currently serving as president of the Danville Schools Education Foundation, was credited with helping raise over $144,500 for the school system and making a tremendous difference in the lives of hundreds of students. Superintendent Carmen Coleman presented Fieberg with the award.
Outstanding Citizen
The Outstanding Citizen award is presented to an individual for dedicated community service to an organization or organizations in the non-profit community.
Winners Carol and David Senn were honored their involvement in numerous community organizations, including helping fund the Heart of Danville, Kiwanis Club, the McDowell House museum for nearly 23 years, and heading up the Christmas Parade for over 20 years.
Outstanding
Volunteer
This Outstanding Volunteer award is presented to an individual for dedicated community service to an organization or organizations in the non-profit community.
Winners Shan and Dale Kihlman have served the Salvation Army, Ephraim McDowell Foundation, the CASA board and are active in the Presbyterian Church. They are also mainstays at the Wes T. Hill Community Theatre. They were praised for their passion in staying involved with the visual arts community to honor the memory of their late daughter Brenna, who was artist as well.
Ambassador
of the Year
The Ambassador of the Year award is presented to an individual who best exemplifies the important work of the Ambassador’s Club.
Deb Jones was praised as a steady, behind-the-scenes worker at Chamber Ambassador events and a dependable ambassador for a number of years.
Bruce Montgomery Leadership Boyle County Award
The Bruce Montgomery Leadership Boyle County Award is presented to a leadership Boyle County Graduate who has exhibited outstanding leadership within the community.
Kathy McBee was praised for taking leadership roles in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kiwanis Club, Heart of Kentucky United Way, and the Great American Brass Band Festival, and being a “pivotal cog” for the Chamber. McBee has served the Leadership Boyle County program as day chair, on the ambassador’s committee and is currently chairwoman of the Membership Services Retention committee.
Community
Impact
This Community Impact award is given to individuals or organizations for responding to an identified need and who initiate actions or programs that affect people in the community in significant or profound ways.
The first recipient, The Kentucky State Barbecue Festival Committee, was credited for having an idea that grew beyond anyone’s wildest expectations and capitalizing on the large following of competitive barbecue. The festival brought over 25,000 people to Boyle County, far exceeding the expected attendance of 5-7,000. The event resulted in an economic impact of more than $2 million.
