WQXE NEWS

The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting and awards dinner Thursday at the Historic State Theater, recognizing the accomplishments of the Chamber from 2022 to 2023 and spotlighting special achievements by individual members and organizations.

Master of Ceremonies Greg Milby, who hosted along with WHAS host Claudia Coffey, presented an award that was a special one for Quicksie 98.3.

“The Ronnie J. Pence Chamber Champion Award recognizes an individual who has made an exemplary effort towards an initiative or initiatives important to the Chamber’s mission,” Milby said. “Our Chamber’s foundation is to network, promote, develop, and advocate, and this year’s recipient does all that and more.”

Milby then announced the winner: Quicksie Account Executive Jennifer Meyers.

“I knew Ronnie Pence, and he was the most wonderful man,” Meyers said. “To receive this award that’s named after him is just incredible. It’s such an honor.”

While profiling Meyers’s accomplishments, Milby described her as a friend to everybody, and said her dedication goes beyond business.

“Her entry into the male-dominated radio industry is historic, but she’s done more than just work for the company,” Milby said. “She created a huge community effort known as the Quicksie Toy Factory, which is an annual Christmas toy drive across the region. Thousands of toys are donated to this cause, making sure no child is left without a gift to open on Christmas morning. Our winner also co-founded the Children’s Fair, now in its 30th year.”

Other awards presented during the evening include:

• Ambassador of the Year: Barbara Edwards
• Rising Star Award: Sakinah Bunch
• Excellence in Government Award: Selena Hudson
• Ralph Reese Fort Knox Community Partnership Award: Charlie Fraley
• Quality of Place Award: Charlie Skees
• Hall of Fame Award: Mike Bell

Chamber President Margy Poorman said it was a successful year for the Chamber’s more than 700 members with 102 new members, 32 ribbon cuttings, and 3,481 luncheon attendees.

Not all heroes wear capes, but if you would like to be a hero for area children and don a cape, you’ll have your chance this Friday night.

CASA of the Heartland will host their Light the Night Superhero 5K this Friday at Elizabethtown Sports Park.

“Our kickoff party will start at 6:30 p.m.,” said CASA of the Heartland Executive Director Michelle Kail. “We’re going to have a food truck out there doing hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, all the things. We’ll have popsicles. The race will kick off at 8 p.m., and then we will have a dance party to follow that race.

CASA stands for Court-Appointed Special Advocates, who are community volunteers that advocate on behalf of children who are under petition with the family courts. The 5K is an opportunity to show support for the children and those volunteers.

“Our goal with this is just to be able to raise awareness for the children that we serve in the community, as well as pay tribute to our hometown heroes who help protect those children every day.”

Kail says the CASA program has shown a real impact with area children and families.

“Children who have a CASA volunteer are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system or re-enter the court system because we help those families get the support that they need and help those children get the support that they need so that way they can thrive and not have to be back in those situations,” Kail said.

The event is open to the public, however registration is required to participate in the 5K run/walk. Find CASA of the Heartland on Facebook or visit www.casaheartland.org to find the link to sign up.