March 2014 Newsletter - North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce

www.northbaldwinchamber.com
Welcome to our newest
North Baldwin Chamber
Members!
Devoni’s Pizzeria
251-239-8047
712 D'Olive St
Bay Minette, AL 36507
DRiP’s Handyman Service
251-298-4336
708 Hall Ave
Bay Minette, AL 36507
First Presbyterian Church
251-937-7735
211 McMillan Ave / PO Box 1508
Bay Minette, AL
FlipKey Vacation Rentals
1-877-354-7539
226 Causeway Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Glass Orthodontics
251-580-4447
900 McMeans Avenue
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Naro Audiology & Hearing
Solutions
251-937-8731
157-A North Hoyle Ave
Bay Minette, AL 36507
March 2014
Vinson Bradley presented Harry B. Still
Distinguished Service Award—
BAY MINETTE, Alabama – Whether it’s running in a 5K or
running errands for one of the many civic groups he’s involved with,
Vinson Bradley is a man on the go. His dedication to community
service has now earned him some recognition. The North Baldwin
Chamber of Commerce presented Bradley with the 2013 Harry B.
Still Distinguished Service Award.
The long-time Bay Minette resident said he was shocked to
receive the award. “I am honored and humbled receiving the Service
Award and I plan to work tirelessly to continue helping in any way I can,” he said.
Bradley serves as the Site Coordinator for Huntingdon College Adult Degree Completion Program in Bay Minette. He said it
is important to invest back in the community. “Being from Bay Minette I have a vested interest in the city that I love. Giving
up time to help promote, volunteer, and service, within my hometown is the least I can do.”
Ashley Jones with the Chamber of Commerce said the Distinguished Service Award is based on leadership abilities and
effectiveness, being active in the community and for being a significant contributor to the community of their time,
commitment and talent.
Bradley certainly fits that bill, Jones said. He is a member of the Chamber Board of Directors and its Young Professionals,
serving as chairman of the 2013 Career Horizon Expo. He also served on the Christmas Fest Committee and is a board
member for North Baldwin Coalition for Excellence in Education. He is also a Sun Chief Volunteer and active within his
church.
Jones said Bradley often gives up his Saturdays to lend a helping hand to various projects. He has volunteered with the
American Cancer Society’s Ride for a Reason, the Ride for Starla and often runs a “5K because it’s for a good cause and
benefits a member of the community,” Jones said.
“Every function, every meeting, every event, I enjoy, and try to bring a positive vibe with me,” Bradley said, adding that it’s
all about “positive people working together for one common cause - to make Bay Minette a better place.”
Article contributed by Tina Covington, Community Relations, City of Bay Minette.
North Baldwin Utilities named 2013 Business of the Year—
BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- North Baldwin Utilities was named the 2013 Business of the Year at the North Baldwin Chamber of
Commerce’s annual meeting. NBU was selected for its strong leadership, commitment to customers and commitment to community.
That commitment was witnessed during the winter storm which shut down schools and businesses, said Ashley Jones of the
North Baldwin Chamber. She said NBU was “much appreciated for working in partnership with the North Baldwin Chamber
as well as the City of Bay Minette. Most recently during our winter ice storm, employees for this business were seen working
hand-in-hand with the city to ensure our roads were safe for our citizens, and we all greatly appreciate those dedicated
employees.”
Jason Padgett, General Manager/CEO, said while they were “surprised and excited” to receive the award, credit goes to the
employees. “NBU is made up of a wonderful Board of Directors and team of employees who are hard-working and dedicated
to making our organization and community a better place,” he said.
In making the presentation, Jones cited the company’s commitment to community and noted how employees are often found
volunteering in the community and serving on various community boards. Among those areas of service include North
Baldwin Infirmary Hospital Board, North Baldwin Chamber, Bay Minette Youth Baseball League, Airport Authority Board,
Stockton Civic Club, Young Professionals, Shriners and local Volunteer Fire Departments, among others.
And their commitment goes beyond volunteer hours, she said. “They support and sponsor several chamber as well as community and non-profit events year-round, including Relay for Life, the
HJWC Chili Cook-Off and Rotary Chilly Run and many more events,”
Jones said.
Padgett said NBU strives to be a good neighbor to the north
Baldwin area. “From holding leadership positions throughout the
community to stopping on the side of the road to lend a hand to
someone who is broken down, NBU employees are always actively
finding ways to help in our area,” Padgett said. “I am so proud to
work with the family that has allowed us to receive this award.”
Article contributed by Tina Covington, Community Relations, City of
Bay Minette.
New Horizons Donates to St. Jude’s—
The staff of New Horizons collected and donated a total of $8,817.04
during 2013 by selling pin ups, collecting coins and participating in TShirt Fridays. New Horizons also sponsored the 2013 95ksj Radiothon and volunteered at the event and the annual Give Thanks
Walk. New Horizons is continuing to fundraise for St. Jude during
2014.
Pictured left to right: Corey Blake, Director of Marketing & Business
Development, Cindy Stueve, Human Resources Manager, Lauren
Smith, St. Jude and Rachel Hallstrom, Administrative Assistant.
Bay Minette's Relay for Life team
planning fundraisers—
BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- On April 25, hundreds of people
will be taking part in the North Baldwin Relay for Life, a
fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Among those
participants will be team of employees representing the City
of Bay Minette.
Employees from all the city departments will be on hand for
the event, which also serves as a time to celebrate cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle.
The team has taken on several fundraisers including holding a pool party, a Bowl-a-Thon and sold plate lunches.
The city’s Relay team is now selling T-shirts, car magnets and buttons with its team theme “Together We Will Win”
which features a display of various ribbons to raise awareness of the different types of cancers. The magnets are $5
each, buttons are $2 and T-shirts are $20.
A Boston butt sale is also underway and orders can be placed at 251-580-1637 or 251-580-1654.
On April 4, the city will be locking up city officials on Courthouse Square from noon to 2 p.m. Mayor Bob Wills,
Councilmembers Danleigh Corbett, Kathy Dobbins, Johnny Biggs, Dollie Mims, Chris Norman, Fire Chief Mike
Minchew and Police Chief Clarence Crook will all be placed in lock-up while they attempt to raise $200 in bail
money to be released. Donations can also be made to have them placed back in lock-up, organizers said.
In addition to the lock-up, team members will be selling “square meals” of sausage dogs, chips and a drink for $5.
The North Baldwin Relay for Life will be held 6 p.m. to midnight April 25 at Baldwin County High School. Relay for
Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society and provides the community with a chance
to come together in the fight against cancer.
“Relay for life is a time for our community to celebrate our survivors, remember those who have lost their battle
and fight alongside those still battling cancer,” said Ashley Jones, event chairwoman.
Teams formed in businesses, churches, clubs or among friends and raise funds both before the Relay for Life and
during it by collecting donations or selling things. During the event there is a survivor's walk and volunteers take
turns walking during the 6-hour event.
Jones said this year’s theme is Colors of Cancer. “Our hope is that each team will highlight a different cancer and
corresponding color when they setup at this year’s event, creating a rainbow around the track,” Jones said. “Our
community has been touched by so many types of cancer, and I think it is just wonderful to live in a community
that rallies around their neighbors to lend a helping hand during a time of need.”
For more information about this year’s Relay for Life, or to register a team, contact event chairwoman Ashley Jones
at 251-937-5665 or visit the website atwww.relayforlife.org/northbaldwinal.
Editorial Contributed by Tina Covington, City of Bay Minette.