Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce announces 5 Under 55
Volunteering is something that just tends to come naturally for many. There are those who see a need and with no hesitation step up and answer that call. This year, five of those leaders Manny Negron with Convention and Visitors Bureau; Justin Myers with State National Bank; Adrian Calvio with State Farm; Christian Fair, with United Way of Big Spring and Howard County; and Amanda Duforat with the Big Spring Herald will be recognized at The Taste of Big Spring - Chamber Extravaganza, set for Feb. 7 at the Howard County Fairbarns.
"I had someone mention a quote to me the other day; 'Service is the price we pay for the space we occupy,' Debbye Valverede, Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said. " Each year we honor Man and Woman of the Year for their contributions over the years, but we have had a large group of young business professionals stepping up and making the choice to invest in their com- munity lately, and we want to recognize them and their efforts."
Investing back into the community that played a role in the leaders they have become is just second nature to this year's Five Under 55 honorees. Whether it be serving in their businesses, carrying out the duties of their daily job or finding different areas of the community to support, these honorees have made it a mission to do what they can to help Howard County grow.
"We live here. We have a vested interest in the city we live in, and it makes sense to want to give back to the city that raised me," Adrian Calvio said. "I figure the more we can do
together as a community to improve this place the better its going to be for us immediately, and for the future of our families."
The Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce chose to add the 5 Under 55 award as a way of encouraging positive momentum in the community. Submissions were submitted by Chamber members, nominees were not required to be a Chamber member. A committee reviewed submissions and then selected this year's five honorees based off of what they have invested into the community.
"With or without recognition, it's an honor to serve my community," Christian Fair said. "This is our home, and we are going to get out of it what we put into it."
For this year's nominees their first step into volunteering was happenstance that turned into a passion and led them to a purpose.
"I grew up here; my roots are here and it wasn't until I moved away and came back that I realized that I wouldn't be who I was if it wasn't for my hometown," Amanda Duforat said. "I found a way to get involved in order to do my job better, but in the end, I have stayed involved to make my community better, for my kids, my friends, and for all those who call Big Spring and Howard County home. We have so much potential and together we can be a community that others want to come to, build a family in, make memories in."
The 5 Under 55 Awards is something the Chamber is looking to continue annually. In the mean time, the honorees, and the Chamber want to encourage everyone in the community to get out and get involved, get engaged in the community, and see what impact one person can make.
"That's really the bottom line. You can give money all you want to, but if people aren't giving of their time and putting themselves aside and putting community first nothing gets done," Calvio said. "It's important for everyone to take pride in what they do. It's contagious."
Calvio described it as the Broken Window Theory; you are looking out the window as a kid or a teenager and all you see are broken windows, and one is more likely to throw a rock and break a window. If one looks out the window and sees nice manicured lawns, and nothing on the ground, you are less likely to throw your wrapper on the ground.
"It's my city. It's our city," Justin Myers, said. "We all have vested interest in Big Spring and proud to be from Big Spring. I look at the people before, the ones I looked up to, and I remember seeing them serving on the Chamber board, siting on county fair boards, serving on all the different entities in the city. Each plays an important role, and if we the people who live here don't look after our city why would anyone move here or want to be a part of this. We are carrying on that legacy; it's our turn next to take care of the city."
The heart of a servant is evident in so many throughout the community. This year's honorees are only a small sampling of the great things that are taking place in Big Spring.
"I am humbled, thankful," Manny Negron, said. "It's rewarding if you get a Five Under 55, if you get a sticker, if you get a star ... it's rewarding when you can just give back and serve."
For those who are wanting to take an opportunity to find out what is taking place in Big Spring and get involved in the community, tickets for the Taste of Big Spring are still on sale, at the Chamber of Commerce office. The office is located at 215 W. Third.
"We hope the community will come out and join us in honoring these nominees, our Man and Woman of the Year and find out how they can get involved in the year to come," Valverde said. "Great things are happening in our community and as long as we continue to work together, we will keep growing, moving forward and getting better."