POINT CLEAR, Ala. — Members of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce gathered Thursday night at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa for the organization’s 84th Annual Membership Meeting, titled “Chairman’s Gala.”

The festive meeting, attended by about 250, was crowned with several annual awards.

Home Relief Health Services Inc. was named the Small Business of the Year. The 23-year-old business is owned and operated by Rick and Cynthia Wilkinson. Fred Minke is manager. The company provides private-duty home care for the elderly who need assistance with day-to-day tasks in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

SmartCoast, a non-profit organization, received the Environmental Award. This organization is focused on helping the Alabama Gulf Coast area to become a sustainable community. Since 2004, SmartCoast has held three public conferences led by nationally recognized speakers and teachers, addressing vital sustainable growth issues.

“We acknowledge their work in preserving and protecting the environment of the Eastern Shore,” said Donna Givens, Baldwin EMC, in presenting the award to Charlene Lee and Wendy Allen, SmartCoast co-executive directors.

Beverly Allen received the Community Leader Award. Owner of Allen and Allen Accounting, “Allen is active in the Eastern Shore community,” said presenter Tim Rosson, who received the Community Leader Award last year. She is a member of the Association of Professionals in Business Management and is a Certified Associate Business Manager.

She is an ordained Presbyterian Elder at Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church and serves on the Baldwin EMC’s Charitable Foundation Board. She is a charter member and current president of the Daphne-Spanish Fort Rotary Club and serves as 2008-09 Child Mortality and Hunger coordinator for Rotary District 6880. She has worked with CARE House since 1997, is a board member and Finance Comittee chairman of SmartCoast. She helped organize the first Earth Day celebration in Fairhope and co-wrote the city of Daphne’s initial recycling grant.

During Allen’s 13-year membership in the ESCOC, she has served as board chairman, twice chaired the Jubilee Festival and participated in the Leadership trips.

“And these are just some of her accomplishments, but it’s all we had room for on the program,” Rosson said.

“What a great group of people we have on the Eastern Shore and who run our charitable organizations,” Allen said in receiving the award. “I am proud to be a part of it.”

Fred Minke of Home Relief Health Services Inc. was presented the Ambassador of the Year Award by Linda Scott, Ambassador chairman.

The Bulldog Award was given to Eric Nager of Southern Capital Services by Bender for his “dogged determination and tireless efforts for the programs and mission of the ESCOC.” Nager, a member of the Daphne City Council, is the founding chairman of the chamber’s Business Academy.

“So many people give so much to the chamber, but this year we are glad to give this award to Eric for his work in the start-up of the academy,” she said.

Bender also presented the Service Award to Linda Scott of Scott & Associates, for her varied service to the chamber.

“One person really stood out as we were contemplating the recipient of this award; the winner is involved in many aspects of our program — she just never says, ‘no,’ said Bender.

In accepting the award, Scott said, “My new word is ,’no.’

Outgoing ESCOC Board Chairman David Clark thanked chamber members and the chamber staff for the accomplishments made during 2007-08. He then briefly shared 10 principles of successful leadership.

Incoming ESCOC Board Chairman Joe Bullock said the Blueprint for Tomorrow, “which will enable the chamber to do things we never dreamed before,” will be his primary focus. He said he also wants to keep chamber members informed on important issues at the local and county level.

Area businesses that have been chamber members for 25 years were recognized for achieving that benchmark: Fairhope Floor Covering and Interiors, Henry Crawford, Hunter Security Inc., Kopesky, Britt & Norton, LLC and Colonial Bank. Pitman Insurance Agency got a nod for its 56-year membership.

The meeting was organized by the Gala Committee: Regina Hanberg, chair; Diane Anderson, Jewel Byrd, Donna Holmes, Monique Locke, Melinda McGhee, Cynthia Rush, Elsa VanEysbergen, Sue White and Judy Wilson.

Baldwin EMC hosted the meeting. Sponsors included Engineering Development Services, Bancorp South, Vision Bank, Alliance Publishing Grup Inc., B&B Pecan Co. Inc., BankTrust, Bryant Bank, Compass Bank, Home Relief Health Services Inc., Safe Harbor Financial, Tamara’s Bar & Grill, The Little Gym of the Eastern shore, Thrillz Gifts, WHL Architecture & Interiors and Wilkins Miller PC.

Other board of director members for the upcoming year include: Hugh McCoy, chairman elect; Thom Lott, treasurer; Jim Byrd, vice chairman for economic development; Sally Wagner, vice chairman, Member Value; Linda Mong, vice chairman, Tourism Council; Randy Delchamps, Jim Roberts, Irene Meehan, Bill Tunnell, Hank Burch, Howard Holcomb, Gregg Mims, Mickie Russell, Greg Strachan, Pat Murphy, Tim Rosson, Harry Johnson, Elizabeth Citrin, Dr. Phil Norris and Sharon Wright. Ex-officio members are: Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant, Daphne Mayor Fred Small, Spanish Fort Mayor Joseph Bonner and Baldwin County Commissioner David Ed Bishop.

Board of advisors members for 2008-09 are: Baldwin County Association of Realtors, Bucky Jakins, Baldwin County EMC; Robb Cunningham, Benchmark Homes Inc.; Chris Myers, Chris Myers Auto Mall; David Cooper Jr., Cooper T. Smith Stevadoring; Rance Reehl, Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties Inc.; Mickie Russell, Dauphin Realty of Baldwin County; Joe Bullock, Engineering Development Services; David Clark, Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Ray Moore, Hutchinson, Moore & Rauch; Mark Reed; Regions Bank; Tom Byrne, Riviera Utilities; Terry Thompson, Terry Thompson Chevrolet; John Saint, The Mitchell Co.; Phil Cusa, Thomas Hospital; Diane Anderson, Vision Bank; and Hugh McCoy, White-Spunner Construction.