By AMALIA KORTRIGHT/Staff Writer

The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce is will host its 11^th annual Diamond Awards Luncheon on Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Village in Montevallo.

South Shelby Chamber of Commerce Director April Stone said that the luncheon and awards ceremony is an opportunity for the South Shelby County community to celebrate the good work that citizens and businesses have done during the year.

“Our Business of the Year recipient was Davis Drug Co. last year. The person that nominated them told stories about [the owner] opening the pharmacy [outside of business hours] to fill a prescription when a child was sick. It was probably a part of his normal routine and he never talked about it, he just did it because he was a part of the community. This is to celebrate those untold stories,” said Stone.

Businesses and individuals who are nominated for the award fall into five categories:

• New Business of the Year
• Business of the Year
• Non Profit of the Year
• Citizen of the Year
• Public Servant of the Year

There are currently a total of four nominees between the five award categories. Nominations are currently open to the public, and will close on the week of Thanksgiving. Anyone who wishes to nominate a person or business can do so at www.Southshelbychamber.com.

“I strongly encourage everyone to make nominations,” said Stone.

Winners of each category are selected through discussions by older members of the South Shelby Chamber, members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and the Chamber’s ambassadors.

According to Stone, the luncheon was a powerful experience for those who have attended in previous years. Last year’s guest speaker was King’s Home President Lew Burdette, who spoke about being kidnapped, beaten, stabbed and thrown into a well. In his speech, he cited his faith as the source of his strength to climb out of the well and find help.

“The air changed in the room when he was talking. After it was over people were crying. He said he felt led to share it. We have not been stabbed and thrown in a well, but sometimes it feels that way, and this shows that we can get better,” said Stone.

Liz Huntley, a Chilton County local and the author of “More Than a Bird,” will serve as this year’s guest speaker. The Bertolone Family Café will cater.

Everyone in the South Shelby County community is invited, and it costs $15 per person to attend.

“This is to celebrate the human spirit. I know it’s a couple of hours out of your day at the busiest season of the year, but it’s well worth it,” said Stone.