By DEBRA HAIGHT

Special to Leader Publications

Buchanan area residents gathered last week at Orchard Hills Country Club to honor the community’s strongest supporters and celebrate another successful year in the city. Over 130 people attended the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting including a dinner prepared by Chef Tim Carrigan.

As has been the case in recent years, the awards for volunteers of the year, lifetime achievement and community spirit were the highlight of the evening. Chamber board president Ted Chase also gave an update about what’s going on in the community as well as a short primer on how to use the chamber calendar on the www.buchanan.mi.us website.

This year, nominees for the Dale E. Florey Volunteer of the Year Award were Randy Hendrixson, Sheila Daly and Rhonda Harrington with Hendrixson and Daly recognized with awards.

Hendrixson, who became the chamber executive director last fall, has volunteered countless hours in support of community activities since moving to Buchanan a few years ago. In announcing the honor for Hendrixson, board president Ted Chase pointed to a number of Hendrixson’s accomplishments in helping the local community.

“His expertise in events management has allowed the Common Stage to thrive and events like Harvest Buchanan and the last Saturday at the Common Concerts to have the highest caliber sound experience,” Chase said. “As a Chamber board member he helped move us to a significantly higher level than we ever thought possible.”

“His leadership is invaluable on a community wide scale and you can bet if there is a successful event in or around Buchanan, Randy will be part of it.”

Chase acknowledged Daly’s efforts in a number of areas. “2013 was another year of contribution and super volunteerism by Sheila,” he said. “The past year saw the paving and opening of the new section of McCoy’s creek trail. This project succeeded in large part due to Sheila’s efforts.”

“She was instrumental in getting the grant that paid for the majority of the trail construction,” he added. “She was an organizer of the trail’s trek or treat event, assisted with the inaugural trail 5K run/walk and helped with the trails volunteer clean up day.”

Chase pointed out as well Daly’s volunteer efforts with Buchanan’s Thrill on the Hill and with the Buchanan Garden Club. “She was co-chair of the annual Arbor Day gazebo program and tree planting committee,” he said. “She assisted with the Garden Club planting and beautification project down town.”

In addition to her volunteer work with the trail and the garden club, he noted that Daly continues her volunteerism as a member of the Buchanan Area Recreation Board where she is involved in the ongoing efforts to upgrade Kathryn Park.

The next award of the evening was the Award for Lifetime Achievement. Nominees were Daly, Larry Money and the late Donald Ross and the award went to Money.

“Larry has contributed so much to our community over the years that it would be difficult to share them all so here are just a few highlights,” Chase said as he listed some of the organizations and efforts Money has been involved in. “Larry has been a Miss Buchanan committee member for 20 years, an Advisor to Boy Scout Troop 541 and a member of Buchanan’s Labor Day committee.”

The last honor of the evening was for the Community Spirit Award. Nominees were United Federal Credit Union, the Buchanan-Galien Lions Club and the Buchanan High School “Herd” with the Herd winning the award.

“The Herd of Buchanan Community Schools exemplifies the intent of the Buchanan Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit Award,” Chase said. “The Herd culture encourages the entire student body to support the total school community.”

“They provide positive role models as demonstrated by the inclusion of both middle and elementary students,” he added. “These younger students became actively involved in the school “herd” events and will themselves become positive role models. Any Preschool -12th grade Buchanan student who shares these beliefs is part of the Herd.”

Chase noted that the Herd’s impact goes beyond pep rallies and winning “Battle of the Fans” competitions. “The Herd’s impact goes beyond the very visible and intense pep rallies and athletic competition, however,” he said.

“As a result of their personal initiative these students collected funds for the victims of the apartment fires this summer as well as assistance in Stuffing a Bus,” he said. “They also impact the positive energy in the “Mean Stinks” campaign as well as “Girls Be Positive” activities and the Leo Club. As a result of the tireless enthusiasm and volunteerism, the entire Community benefits from the efforts of the Herd.”

In the business part of the meeting, four people were elected to three-year terms on the chamber board. Re-elected were Karol Behrle of United Federal Credit Union, Katie Berry of Honor Credit Union and Sara Senica of Sara Senica Law. Newly elected to the board was Rhonda Harrington of Edgewater Bank.