Table Rock Lake Chamber Presents Community Awards

October 21, 2024

ChamberCommunityFun FactsGeneral News ArticleHuman InterestPress Release

Table Rock Lake Chamber Presents Community Awards
at Annual Lake Splash Event

Branson, MO – The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce presented four community awards on Saturday, October 19, during the 2024 Lake Splash Community Awards Program and Annual Banquet held at the Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa and Convention Center.

The Guardian Award recognizes a first responder (law enforcement, firefighter, paramedic/EMT or 911 dispatcher) and their fearless and unselfish service in helping keep the community safe. The award was presented to Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader. Among Sheriff Rader’s accomplishments: he reintroduced the Drug Dog Program; worked with the County Commission to increase the starting wages for deputies; implemented a Drone Program, purchased UTVs and a boat for river patrol; and received a Command/Crime Scene trailer for investigations. He is a working Sheriff who is not afraid to be on the front lines beside the deputies when things are critical. He also developed a Citizens Academy, where he takes citizens behind the scenes in what the Sheriff’s Department does and sees.

The honoree for Business of the Year was White River Valley Electric Cooperative. The member-owned electric cooperative has committed to installing broadband fiber to every home in their 5-county service area, including Stone County. The multi-year, $500 million plus project will transform these communities by bringing fast and reliable internet service to our area, leaving a legacy of positive impact in southwest Missouri. In addition, White River sponsors Operation Round Up, distributing more than $5.3 million to students, local organizations and families in its service area, along with other community and youth enrichment activities.

Branson West Mayor, Nita Jane Ayres, was presented with the Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes an individual who has forged the path for others in the Table Rock Lake area, has demonstrated invaluable leadership either in business or community development in the past (at least 10 years ago), and influenced the community in a positive manner. Mayor Ayres grew up in Stone County and is a strong proponent of our community. She has served on the boards of Table Rock Lake Community Foundation, Missouri State University Foundation and has chaired the grant committee for the Skaggs Foundation. She has worked as a Realtor in the area for more than 30 years, and in 2010 served as our area’s State Representative in the Missouri legislature. Mayor Ayres is known as a strong, honest and forward-thinking leader.

Carrie Padilla was the recipient of the evening’s most prestigious honor, the Community Service Award. This award has been given annually by Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce for over 40 years to an individual or an organization who, through unusual services and commitment, has improved one or more of the following characteristics of the community: quality of life, economy, educational opportunities, beauty, serenity and safety. Carrie can be described as a professional volunteer: she is President of the Southern Stone County Fire Auxiliary; President of Unite Table Rock Lake; serves at Ignite Church with food and clothing distributions and is a Rotarian. She connects resources to people's needs - whether it's at providing food to the firefighters at a fire, helping people with immediate needs after a fire, to emergency food assistance and distributions, school supplies and school readiness fair to Shop with a Hero and Christmas Assistance. She has literally helped thousands of people through her selfless acts and leadership.

Lake Splash is the largest fundraiser for the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce, and the success of this event would not be possible without business sponsors including What’s Up Dock-Port of Kimberling Marina, El Lago Mexican Restaurant, Kimberling Crossing Development LLC, Talking Rocks Cavern, White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Best of Southwest Missouri, Great Southern Bank, Hogan Land Title, Table Rock Community Bank, The Butterfly Palace, Branson Bank, Central Bank of Branson, Cox Medical Center Branson, Great American Title Company, Health Markets Insurance-Nick Morris, Ozarks Technical Community College-Table Rock Campus, Silver Dollar City, State Farm Insurance-Maureen Darby, American Family Insurance-Tracy Carver, Arvest Bank, Budget Blinds of SWMO, Jan-Pro of the Ozarks, LedgeStone Grille, Table Rock Sunset Properties, and host sponsor Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa and Convention Center.

About Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce
A leader in economic and community development, Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce promotes business success and quality of life. Serving all of Stone County and part of Taney County, the Chamber promotes tourism; provides information and resources to enhance members' success; advocates for area businesses on legislative issues; promotes synergy in the business community and furthers the Ozark Mountain legacy. For more information, please visit the Chamber's website at visittablerocklake.com.