FROM STAFF REPORTS

CHELSEA – Local husband and wife Gene and Diane Thomas, owners of PostNet in Chelsea located off U.S. 280 in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center, received the Community Involvement Award at the company’s recent national conference.

Out of 222 PostNet centers throughout the U.S., the Thomases were recognized with the award for going above and beyond to make a positive impact in their local community.

As a married couple with deep roots in the Chelsea area, the Thomases have worked in and played an active role in the community for many years. They have owned their PostNet business in Chelsea for 10 years, providing high-quality printing, shipping and design services to local businesses and residents with special pricing for schools, churches, youth groups and other nonprofits.

For as long as they’ve owned their business, the Thomases have also been active members of The Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, dedicating their time, resources and efforts to serve the needs of at-risk youth in the Chelsea and Shelby County area.

“It is such a wonderful organization that we’re honored to be a part of,” said Diane Thomas, who has served as the secretary of the Chelsea Kiwanis Club for eight years. “We host several fundraisers a year…our Chelsea Kiwanis Pecan Sale Fundraiser, the Fire at the Foothills BBQ and Chili Cook-Off, and the Chelsea Kiwanis Annual Pancake Breakfast. All funds raised support meaningful causes in our community like The King’s Home, scholarships for the Key Club at Chelsea High School, and a reading program at the Chelsea Library.”

Diane Thomas is also the president of the Chelsea Business Alliance, and a member of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce.

“At the Chelsea Business Alliance, our mission is to advocate and promote businesses in the city of Chelsea,” she said. “It’s about supporting local [businesses] and continuing to strengthen our local economy.

“Through the CBA, we’ve also established a scholarship fund for the Chelsea High School Future Business Leaders of America. And, children of both CBA members and their employees are also eligible for scholarships. What’s so special is…both Chelsea and Shelby County are the fastest growing city and county in the state of Alabama, and we’re proud to have played—and continue to a play—a meaningful role in the growth of our community in so many different ways. That’s very important us.”

Prior to owning their small business, Diane and Gene both worked at Picklesimer & Limbaugh Ford-Mercury, a local auto dealership in Sylacauga previously owned by now Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer.

Diane Thomas was an office manager and controller for the dealership for 20 years, and Gene Thomas was a finance manager for 10 years.

“This is actually where Gene and I first met. We’ve been married for 11 years, and have been working alongside each other in some capacity for 20 years. We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Diane Thomas said.

For more information about PostNet in Chelsea, located at 60 Chelsea Corners, call 678-0123, email al106@postnet.com, or visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/PostNetAL106/.