Mt. Pleasant Chamber thanks volunteers

Thursday March 31, the Mt. Pleasant Chamber held their annual banquet to thank their volunteers for their hard work throughout the year.

Henry County Health Center CEO Robb Gardner received the Citizen of the Year Award. According to Kristi Perry, from the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, this award is given to an individual whose involvement made a great impact over time in the whole of the community.

Gardner has done this through his six years serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board and as the president of the board in 2018.

He is known to give back to the community through his commitment to other charitable organizations such as the Noon Rotary Club, Athletic Booster Club, Iowa Wesleyan President advisory council, and St. Alphonsus Church perish council.

Gardner is no stranger when it comes to exceeding expectations. He has also made a great impact in the community through his work in executive leadership with the Henry County Health Center. The health center has received numerous awards under Gardner’s influence including, the Top 100 Critical Access Hospital awards, the outstanding Rural Health Organization of the Year, Most Wired Hospital awards, and the Excellence in Leadership award.

Other award winners included Lori White as the Volunteer of the Year, Melinda Huisinga as the Ambassador of the Year, and The Fellowship Cup for the Humanitarian Award.

At the Annual Banquet, attendees sat around tables that were decorated by chamber members. This is the first year that decorations were done this way.

Kristi Perry said that she got the idea from a chamber out of Missouri and while she thought it would be a “one and done” opportunity, she is excited at the prospect of using the idea again.

According to Perry, the table decorating gave members an opportunity to, “get their businesses in front of new people.”

Awards were given to Community 1st Credit Union for the “Most Eye Catching,” Mt. Pleasant Chiropractic Clinic for the “Most Fun,” and Triple 777 Trucking for the Best Example of their Product.

The banquet was carefully curated by a board of volunteers and Perry. From the decorations right down to the intentional arrangement of award presentations before dinner, the night successfully boasted the Chamber’s pride in their volunteers.

“The whole point is to say thank you to our volunteers and let them have a fun night,” Perry said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com