To acknowledge Picayune residents and business owners that go above and beyond to serve their community, the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 68th Annual Awards Banquet. The event will be held at The Link on Goodyear Boulevard on Thursday. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The banquet will distribute awards to citizens of Picayune and some of the outstanding law enforcement officers and firefighters in the community.
This year’s Citizen of the Year nominees include Dr. Debbie Moore and Dr. D.L. Bolton; Volunteer of the Year nominations include Beth Stewart Lenoir from Stewart Agency Insurance, Tana Cochran from Nissan of Picayune, Abbie Turnage with Highland Community Hospital, Keith Marchant with Louisiana Flood Relief Picayune Chapter and John Houston.
Nominees for the Civic Club of the Year include Picayune Kiwanis Club and the Civic Women’s Club; Business Excellence of the Year award nominees include Paul’s Pastry, Highland Community Hospital and Uniforms by Bales.
“This is a great time to recognize those that work hard to make our community a great place to live,” Nuria Arias, executive director of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce said. “We salute those that risk their lives every day to keep us safe and we recognize the selfless efforts some of the citizens put toward the city.”
Also, Picayune Police Chief Brian Dawsey will present the Civilian Employee of the Year and the Chief’s Award, which recognizes this year’s most outstanding civilian employee and officer.
Fire Chief Keith Brown will also present an award to the Firefighter of the Year.
“This event serves a dual purpose,” Arias said. “It is our admiral membership meeting where we recognize awards for local leadership. Then the second part is to take the time to recognize, support and honor our police and firefighters for their hard work and dedication.”
Guest speaker Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of Mississippi Community College Board, will discuss the importance of education and workforce development in order to drive sustainability as well as growth in a given community.
The second guest speaker, John Poulos, director of the public affairs division of Mississippi Highway Patrol, will recognize police officer and firefighter efforts in the community.
Tickets to attend the banquet are $40 or $300 for a six-person table. Tickets can be purchased at the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 201 Highway 11 in Picayune.
Call the Chamber at (601) 798-3122 to find out more.