ELIZABETHTOWN — The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce honored local business owners and individuals for their Annual Award Ceremony on Thursday evening.
Outstanding Chamber Member of The Year went to the Campbell Oil Company and was accepted by the Campbell family. Campbell Oil Company earned their recognition on Thursday night for over 75 years of service to the area by providing over 1,000 jobs in the community and planting their roots right here in the heart of Bladen County.
Mac and Sylvia Campebell took to the stage accompanied by their family to accept the award, while also giving their thanks to the community that have helped push their company forward for over 75 years and counting. Mac Campbell took the stage to acknowledge how proud he was to be a part of a community of business owners committed to helping their fellow man. “We could not be here today without all of you,” said Mac Campebell. “All of you in some way have supported us, have been there for us, have coached us, have taught us, helped raised us, have tolerated us, put up with us and everything else.”
The Small Business Award was received by Bo and Kelly Barefoot, for Barefoot Sandwich Shop, Barefoot Brew, and Barefoot Boujee Boutique. Bo Barefoot took to the podium to express his gratitude to the people that enjoy his food and have helped his small business through the tough times. He first gave a special mention to longtime employee Taylor Lewis, “She is a shining example of young adults in this community,” said Barefoot. “She works at the Boutique, she works at the coffee shop and she also started at the sandwich shop until she couldn’t put up with me anymore so Kelly stole her away from me.”
Through Barefoot’s humor he showed his appreciation for the community that has accepted him and his wife, “We collaborate with one another and we celebrate as a community like we are this evening.” The Caring Person Award went to Cape Fear Sorba for their contributions to making Brown’s Creek Nature Trail and Mountain Bike Park such a hot destination for Bikers across the state. Greg Brison took to the stage to accept the award, while showing special thanks to Terri Dennison and the Chamber members for helping him amplify the park’s potential.
The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award went to Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital and was accepted by Dr. Douglas Genzel. Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital was taken over by Dr. Genzel in 2006 and he’s been doing his part in the community ever since. He also host “A Low Cost Spay/Neuter” clinic through A Shelter Friend, as well as the famous Rabies clinic that he’s carried on for the late Dr. Midyette.
The Legacy Award was awarded to Bladen County Manager Greg Martin for his contributions of helping the county grow and expand towards a brighter future. Martin stepped to the podium to give thanks, while also sharing his plans for the future of Bladen County through his proponent of Mother Nature’s Playground and how to grow the local economy. The final award of the night was a surprise and it was of one the highest honors that can be given by the state governor; on behalf of Gov. Roy Cooper, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine was awarded to Mayor Sylvia Campell for her 16 years of service as Elizabethtown mayor.
“I want to say thank you to the town of Elizabethtown,” said Mayor Campbell. “It has nothing to do with money but everything to do with the love I have for this town and community.”