Greater Chapin Chamber presents Annual Awards at Magic of Chapin Gala

Scott Hanners, Chapin We Care and Harvey Coleman honored

CHAPIN, SC – November 5, 2012 – Members of the Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce celebrated another successful year of promoting commerce, community and culture with its annual Auction and Awards Gala, The Magic of Chapin, held at the River Center at Saluda Shoals on Friday evening, Nov. 2. The annual event brings together about 200 business leaders and members of the greater Chapin community for an evening of networking, recognition, fundraising and fun.

Scott Hanners, President of Scott Hanners Insurance and Financial Services, Inc., was recognized as the Business Person of the Year. Hanners has owned and operated his State Farm office on Old Lexington Highway for the past five years and has assisted hundreds of individuals and families with their insurance and financial planning needs. In addition to being active in the Chamber, Hanners serves on the Board for the Chapin We Care Center, the Lake Murray Elementary School Improvement Council and the Town of Chapin’s Labor Day Festival. He is credited for increasing the number of vendors participating in the Labor Day Festival as well as helping smoothly relocate them from the high school to Beaufort and Clark streets.

The Non-Profit Organization of the Year was Chapin We Care Center, which provides food and warmth to those in need in Chapin and the surrounding communities. We Care provides emergency assistance to citizens in the community that need help through its local food pantry, with utility assistance, gas vouchers and referral services to help people get back on their feet. We Care Executive Director Maggie Siegfried and Board President Janet Marshall were on hand to accept We Care’s award.

Chapin resident Harvey Coleman was honored as the Chamber’s Annie Epting Volunteer of the Year. Nominated by his church St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Harvey was credited for leading the effort to build the church’s new 8,800 square-foot Thrift Shop which recently opened on Courtland Road. A retired businessman, Harvey managed the entire construction process, from overseeing the contractors to procurement details to managing local permits. He delivered the project on time and under budget, exemplifying outstanding stewardship of the donations made by church members to build the new store. The Thrift Shop plays an important role in the Chapin community, providing affordable clothing, household items and other products to area residents, and the proceeds benefit local, state, national and international charitable causes as part of the church’s generous outreach ministry. Harvey has also served as a former Junior Warden and as an active member of the church’s cemetery, buildings and ground committees over the years.

“We are pleased to recognize these outstanding recipients and thank everyone who submitted nominations for this year’s awards,” said Jeremy Martin, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “The committee received applications from a number of worthy candidates, and we thank our committee members for all their hard work to coordinate the gala, secure sponsorships and auction donations and making this year’s event an enjoyable occasion for all participants. We also thank our platinum sponsors for their support — Ellett Brothers, First Community Bank, Lexington Medical Center, Caughman-Harman Funeral Homes, General Information Services, and Palmetto Health Parkridge.”

Proceeds from the Annual Auction and Awards Gala support vital Chamber programs that promote economic and community development, support Chapin’s Visitors’ Center and act as Chapin’s communications hub. For more information on the Chamber, visit chapinchamber.com.

Business Person of the Year
(L-r)Board member Susan Horton with Lexington Medical Center, Chamber Executive Director Karen Owens, Business Person of the Year Scott Hanners and Jeremy Martin, Chair of Chapin Chamber Board.
 

Volunteer of the Year
(L-r) We Care Executive Director Maggie Siegfried, We Care Board President Janet Marshall accept the Volunteer of Year Award from Susan Horton and Jeremy Martin.
 

Volunteer of Year
(L-r) Susan Horton, Karen Owens with Harvey Coleman and Jeremy Martin.