Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Awards & Celebration on Thursday February 6, 2020 Harlan Hall, 602 Locust St. Guests had the
opportunity to network with other business owners, organizations and nonprofit groups and influential individuals around the area and highlight what their business has to offer.
The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the following awards:
Nominee for business of the year must develop and growing an outstanding business, creating innovative product(s), increases jobs, overcoming adversity, and making community contributions. Nominees should be those whose business practices and professional conduct contribute to a sense of fellowship among all local businesses, and which helps to promote Marshall as a good place in which to do business.
Tatum’s Place: Audrey Kilmer (owner) and Jennifer Bishop (Executive Director)
This year’s winner is Tatum’s Place Boutique. Tatum’s was the first clothing bouquet in Marshall in many years and they opened the gate for others to follow. Customers always feel welcomed and they introduce new
clothing lines and projects and always listens to customer requests. Tatum’s does an outstanding job promoting themselves on social media, doing giveaways and rewards loyal customers with punch cards and discounts. This
spring Tatum’s is moving to the downtown area and have really created a “buzz” by renovating the former antique store inside and out and let’s not forget to mention the interactive wing mural!
The Community Service award is given to a citizen of the Marshall area as recognition for his or her service which has contributed to the overall progress of their fellow man or to the community at large. No matter what
the field of service may be, the Community Service Award makes it possible to bring public attention to those people whose deep sense of public pride compels them to give unselfishly of their time to benefit others in their
community. The award may recognize long years of continues service, recent years contribution, or for service during the preceding year. The total contribution should be considered as above and beyond the normal working requirements of the individuals chosen profession or position in the community.
Previous winners include Fred Eitel, Joe & Rhett Smitley, John and Edna Douglas, Pat McCammon, Dale Murphy, Joe Schroeder, Charlotte Dashiell, Dick Herrington, Fred Morecraft, Jim Ryan, John and Carolyn Trefz, Sara Tarble and Denise Pine-Mattas.
Community Service: Kelly Lindley and Dr. Denise Pine-Mattas
This year’s winner is Kelly Lindley and Shannon Snedeker. Both Kelly & Shannon have served the Marshall youth as elementary teachers for more than 30 years. Having seen the first-hand effects of our community’s high
poverty rate on its children, in their retirement together they started feeding our community youth through the backpack program and now with the summer lunch program. Both programs provide meals are for kids in Marshall who do not have enough food resources on weekends and during the summer months. Both used their owe money, cars, homes and resources to make sure at-risk kids were not going hungry. Kelly and Shannon are truly taking care of the most vulnerable group in our community, protecting the health and welfare of our entire community for years to come.
Non Profit of the Year: Nominee must be an active 501-C-3 organization located or operating in Marshall Area. Nominee must have been in operation for at least 3 years. Nominee must have shown exemplary support to the
Marshall Area through contributions and support of the community while adhering to the non-profit’s mission statement. Previous winners include Compassionate Friends of Clark County, the Marshall School Foundation,
Marshall Area Youth Network and Gaslight Art Colony.
Marshall VFW: Tammy DePasse (Director) and Jennifer Bishop (Executive Director)
This year’s winner is the Marshall VFW Post 5975. The Dow Stepp Memorial Post 5975 is comprised of military service members from the active, guard and reserved forces. They continue to give back by helping veterans in
Hutsonville, offering medical equipment rentals, supporting the schools, offering scholarships, honoring our teachers and always willing to lend a hand for a community event.