Have you ever wondered why an Annual Gala Award Nominees was nominated for their award? We decided to share some of the nomination quotes this year! See below for what some of your peers had to say about some of the nominees. 

Nominees (In No Particular Order)

Home Again Foundation– ” HAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, affordable housing with supportive services for the homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless. They believe in a wrap around experience for each resident. This year alone they will have completed 9 cottages (one individual cottage and a community of 8) and will be moving their first residents in by the end of the year. Home Again Foundation believes that each resident deserves a safe place to call home, the dignity of a new beginning, and the hope of a brighter future.”

Kiwanis Club of Matthews– “Despite the closure of schools by Covid, the Kiwanis Club of Matthews reached out to each of their sponsored elementary schools and offered to continue providing their monthly ‘Terrific Kids’ recognition awards. These are highly-anticipated programs by the children at these schools, and the Kiwanis members recognized the critical importance of providing as much ‘normal’ consistency in the formative lives of these children. The offers of the clubs were met with overwhelming responses of appreciation by the five schools and the programs have continue virtually each month since the start of the school year. Kiwanis is all about service to children, teens & their families and this is just the latest example of how the members of the Matthews club will not let roadblocks stand in the way of service.”

C.O.S. Kids– “In addition to their ‘normal’ practice of providing fully-encompassing service & support to single-parent families, through grant-assisted daycare & preschool, parental counseling, and search & referrals to other areas of assistance to their clients, in the wake of COVID, C.O.S.Kids reached out to the town and Novant to offer daycare services to first responders and frontline emergency medical personnel when the facilities they utilized were closed. Numerous ‘first responder’ families were assisted through this proactive outreach.”

Tina Whitley– “…while she markets her services as a Realtor, she more often and commonly is marketing – the Town of Matthews! She shares town community events, business openings, business after-hours, and just special needs and/or offers of local businesses. I truly believe she is helping to support our local businesses during this difficult time. More importantly, she did not just begin doing this as a result of Covid; she has been actively promoting the greatness of our community for as long as I’ve known her.”

Mike McSwain- “Mike is the administrator of Carrington Place, a skilled nursing facility that has been serving the Matthews community for almost 30 years. Mike has displayed exceptional leadership throughout the community’s fight against COVID-19 by ensuring the residents of the community that need specialized nursing care not only receive it, but that they are looked after with the utmost respect by his staff of nearly 200 employees. Through Mike’s tireless efforts, many residents of Matthews have been not only able to survive but also thrive during the nation’s pandemic. Some of those patients live here on a long term basis and some come to us for a short term stay to physically rehabilitate in order to return home to live independently. The families of all of our residents have entrusted Mike and his staff to look after their loved ones during the past 9 months when the government has not allowed them to come in to our facility to see their families members in person. Mike works day and night to ensure his facility not only runs like a well oiled machine but that during these very trying past 9 months of ever changing state and CDC regulations that need to be followed within our building, the facility can remain open during this financial downfall so that we can continue to care for our Matthews community members when they need it the most. Mike has done all of this while dealing with grave family issues including a life threatening disease that his wife has been battling for the past several months and an uncle that suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. When his family then faced his young daughter being diagnosed with COVID-19 on top of everything else, Mike was able to continue to lead his staff without missing a beat. Mike is not only caring for over 100 residents that are under his care; he also strives to ensure his staff members are safe and healthy and receive up to date information on resources to care for themselves and their own families. Mike is the epitome of selfless and deserves much more than this award, but his staff is hoping that the recognition this award may bring will give him the strength and fortitude to continue his efforts in providing exceptional care to everyone around him. Lastly, for those of you in the chamber that have not met Mike in person, I will say that he is one of the most sympathetic, compassionate, smart, enthusiastic, altruistic and joyful people that I have ever worked for in my career. He brings a smile to each person’s face that is lucky enough to know him, no matter what he is dealing with behind closed doors.”

Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity- “During this past year, we have all seen just how important having decent, secure shelter is.Through the pandemic, with many setbacks and reduction in funding, GMHFH has continued to offer affordable new affordable homes and no-cost critical home repairs to the Matthews community.”

Kim Gossage- “Exemplary leadership as Chamber President, detail oriented and has her pulse on the events impacting the Chamber and community.”

Barry Steiger- “During the pandemic this man has helped me and many community leaders to raise over $100K for families suffering financially because of loss of work during COVID-19…”

Weaver, Budd Attorney at Law– “Exceptional Community involvement”

Central Piedmont Community College- “Offering Biz Briefings during the pandemic to help businesses stay afloat and providing the Chamber of Commerce with excellent and current information on best practices.”

Turning Point, Inc.- ” The COVID-19 health crisis has created what many are calling, “A pandemic within a pandemic.” Rising numbers of sick people, isolation, growing unemployment, increased anxiety and financial stress, and a scarcity of community resources have set the stage for an exacerbated domestic violence crisis. * The release of prisoners and the halting of arrests due to COVID-19 has removed a vital means by which domestic violence is interrupted and prevented. * Children are attending school remotely which removes a vital avenue for disclosure for abuse when they cannot see their teachers, guidance counselors or other trusted adults on a daily basis. Evidence shows that rates of sexual violence increase during states of emergency, including natural disasters, active conflict, and health crises. According to the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care, the stress, fear and sense of helplessness associated with emergencies tend to increase risk factors for perpetration of violence against women. *Source: Council on Foreign Relations Throughout this pandemic, despite the risk and the impact of the pandemic on the lives of its team members, especially with a congregated shelter setting, Turning Point has continued operating uninterrupted. Turning Point has continued to provide vital and often life-saving services to survivors of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault, while implementing protocols and policies that keep the health and safety of its team and its clients at the forefront. The trauma endured by Turning Point’s clients is only heightened by the uncertainty and fear being experienced across the globe, and so the holistic and comprehensive services Turning Point provides have been critical to ensure healing and justice for its clients. Turning Point is innovating to provide its outreach and educational programs to our community, despite the many barriers presented by the pandemic. It is a vital community organization that not only shines a light on highly pervasive issues that affect our community, but works each day to create a community free from violence and abuse.”

Matthews HELP Center- “During the pandemic, this nonprofit organization stood out as they helped many individuals and families financially. They have brought, food, clothing and assistance to many families during these unprecedented times”

Mario’s Italian Restaurant- “John and Martha Fischelllo have always been a wonderful supportive business in Matthews…They consistently give back to our Community and chamber, through food, time, money and discounts.”

Larry Whitley- “I nominate Larry Whitley in the Crestdale community. Larry not only looks out for his church but he looks out for the community.  He is a Matthews Commissioner and believes in fairness no matter your color.”

Mike Huckabee- “He has given back to the Chamber for over 18 years of helping with the annual golf tournament.”

Paul Blanchette- “Hard worker who consistently goes above and beyond to grow his business.”

Nexus Co-Work & Event Space- “Within 3 weeks, Nexus Co-Work helped create the Nexus Learning Lab to help families keep their K-5 students on track with virtual learning.  They have helped 30 families in Matthews who did not have a way to support their kids with remote learning.”

Alpha Graphics- “Exceptional customer service and extremely helpful creating signage and graphic needs for COVID measures.  They made it a focus to send helpful content to their customers and to help them think about their business and marketing.”

Matthews Exxon- “Often the integral parts of a community go unnoticed until they go away, and unfortunately this is soon the case with the owner & staff of this downtown landmark business. Harry, Scott & the crew exhibit the small-town attitude so known of our community; always assisting when asked, working with customers when payment is a struggle, and just providing an excellent service with small-town charm, they will be sorely missed.”

Mark Turcotte- “He has done a great job offering products people need during COVID. He constantly updated his offering, worked to keep pricing affordable and he makes customer service a priority.” 

Mumukshu Brahmbhatt- “MB of the UPS Store in Sycamore Commons for being the man to organize and bring together our community leaders to help raise over $100k for the Matthews HELPING Matthews COVID Relief Project for the Matthews HELP Center.”

Frontline Workers at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center– “They have been working hard for our community and they deserve it!”