Those honored with certificates of recognition were nominated by individual members of the County Commission. The fitting tribute came during a Commission session at the Courthouse.
The decision to reach out to these companies as a genuine expression of thanks speaks highly of the county commissioners who submitted names during the nomination process. Theirs was a unique example of local government pointing to the important roles played by individuals, businesses and big industry in a community’s greatest hour of need.
Local companies who were honored in the June 11 Commission gathering included Walmart South, Whirlpool (including Whirlpool Cleveland Division and Whirlpool Cleveland Customer eXperience Center), BB&T, Santek Environmental, Cormetech Inc., ACE Hardware, WCLE Radio, Tarver Distributing, Life Care Centers of America, Caldwell Paving, KACE Construction, P&G Duracell, Gray Construction, Excel, Amazon Fulfillment Center, Lowe’s, First National Bank, Asplundh Tree Experts and Wright Brothers Construction.
We congratulate each business and we join our county commissioners in thanking them all for their invaluable contributions during our hometown’s recovery — whether their aid came in the form of financial gifts, donated products or professional services, emergency materials or volunteers. All stepped up. Each stepped in. Everyone provided an outreach and extended a hand of assistance to those in need.
Their roles in our community’s recovery were heartfelt, timely and genuine, and many remain actively involved in helping others through cleanup and emotional support.
Indeed, these were all leaders whose actions were prompt and unconditional.
Yet, the response to the tragedies of almost 14 months ago was a total community effort. It involved thousands of individual volunteers, a vast array of emergency response organizations, and an unimaginable collection of area churches and faith-based organizations who came together in unprecedented fashion. Any whose names were not mentioned publicly should understand their contributions — no matter how big nor small — are just as appreciated.
Of our employers’ roles, Bradley County Commission Chairman Louie Alford explained it well when he offered, “Local businesses and industries were leaders in donations of supplies, equipment and labor to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts. There were numerous situations where local businesses sacrificed profit to assist those in need.”
The chairman’s words speak volumes.
This is a side of local commerce that often goes unseen. Our companies’ willingness to go the extra mile for the benefit of the community, even in the face of financial loss, is an extraordinary testament to the partnership between businesses that provide jobs and communities that provide workers to fill those jobs.
We join our county commissioners in saluting those who were among the first to step up. We credit them for remembering to say “Thank you.”
