CAMDEN — By TAMMY FRAZIER
Managing editor
Members of the community gathered for the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce's 94th Annual Banquet & Meeting at the Student Center at SAU Tech in East Camden on Thursday to honor volunteers and area businesses that support the region, and to hear from Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson - who served as the guest speaker for the event.
During the program, Camden Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beth Osteen welcomed the crowd and recognized area and state elected officials. Also, the Searcy Harrell Community Service Award was presented, along with the distribution of a Small Business Award and an Industry of the Year Award.
The Searcy Harrell Community Service Award is presented to recognize volunteers in the community. Farmers Bank & Trust President Blake Fain made the introduction to announce the winners of this award: James and Eloise Oliver.
He stated that the Olivers are "true examples" of the volunteer spirit and "have gone far too long without being recognized for thousands of hours they have contributed to numerous organizations. Fain noted that the Olivers are involved with First Baptist Church, the Ouachita Community Concert Association, Business & Professional Women, the Barn Sale, and the Gideon’s, despite the fact that they have 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren to also keep them busy.
"Husband and wife teams make the best volunteers," Fain said. "You very seldom see James without Eloise or Eloise without James – working side by side – unless James is climbing trees hanging banners for Barn Sale, be assured that Eloise is in close proximity. Even though they are retired, they continue to volunteer their time to our community."
Wendi Nix of Nix's Airport Liquor introduced the winners of the Small Business Award: The Perfects, which includes The Perfect Cup, Perfect Glow, Perfect Fit and Perfect Touch, and are owned and operated by Becky Powell.
Nix stated that the Small Business Award is based on three criteria: Commitment to customers, commitment to employees and commitment to community, and that The Perfects display all of those characteristics.