Numerous awards were handed out this past Saturday night when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce held its 40th Annual Awards Banquet.
Among those, Justin Farrington was named Ambassador of the Year, the Outstanding Chamber Member award went to Pam Fink, the Community Service award was presented to Tim Doherty, the Heart of the Community Award went to the Fannin County Children’s Fund, and an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award went to Patricia “Pat” Webb.
Farrington, who calls himself “a recovering Floridian,” was recognized for his dedication to the Chamber and the North Georgia mountains.” You can always count on him to make those around him feel welcome,” Char Stacy said in presenting the award.
Fink was recognized for “dedicating her time and energy to numerous organizations for countless years,” by past chamber Chairman Troy Shirbroun. Among her efforts have been those of Chamber ambassador, vice president of the Blue Ridge Business association, and chairperson of both the Fire & Ice Festival and Light Up Blue Ridge.
Doherty’s Community Service Award represented his work with Family Connection, his support of the American Legion and his personal delivery of 30 heaters and cold weather gear to the victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. He also started Doc’s Healing Hives in 2017 as a way to help fellow veterans. “His vision and tireless efforts are transforming the lives of veterans,” Michael Early said in presenting the award.
The Fannin County Children’s Fund “ensures that students have access to the essentials they need to thrive, both academically and personally,” Manda Hughes said as she announced the award. In the past year alone, 245 students and their families across the Fannin County School System received more than $40,000 in support, including more than 500 families served at the 2024-2025 Back to School Bash. The success of the Fund was attributed “to the dedication of a few caring staff members, the support of school leadership, and the passion of engaged volunteers,” with the generosity of the community making the fund possible, Hughes said. Accepting the award were Tara Cantrell, Sheena Rymer, Kayla Thornhill and Brittany Pittman.
Webb was recognized for her “significant and substantial, long lasting contributions to our cultural heritage” by Mike Lacy. When she and her husband landed in Fannin County in the late 1990s, there was no theater, no theater camps for young people, and no concert series. Webb and a friend answered an ad in The News Observer, “Anyone interested in starting a theater company?” From that emerged the Blue Ridge Community Theater, Sunny D Theater for Children and Youth, and the Live Music is Better concert series. Over 300 volunteers regularly keep the theater’s doors open about 45 weeks out the year, serving an audience of 11,000.