Lake Highlands Chamber Award winners: Andrew Savoie, Amy Savoie, Jill Woodring Reed, LHC’s Ted Hill, Joe Clifford, Janna Gardner and Jordon Baker. Photo by Laura Legg Photography.

The Lake Highlands Chamber held their first ever Business and Community Awards Luncheon Tuesday, recognizing the businesses, nonprofits and individuals that make our community special. Receiving the inaugural awards were:

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C & C Exteriors, owned by Joe Clifford, Small Business of the Year

Lake Highlands Automotive, owned by the Baker family, Business of the Year

Resident Taqueria, owned by Andrew and Amy Savoie, New Business of the Year

Healing Hands Ministries, founded by Janna Gardner, Nonprofit of the Year

Wayne and the late Dr. Betty Woodring, Legacy Award

You can view the full list of nominees here.

“It’s ultimately the community – the community has been amazing,” said Andrew Savoie, effusive with his gratitude. “My wife, Amy, went to junior high and high school here, but I’m a transplant. I’ve been here for almost 15 years, though, and I feel like I know everyone. And, if I don’t know you, come in and say hello.”

“My mom was a visionary in her time, and Lake Highlands meant the world to her, as did her kids,” said Jill Woodring Reed, accepting on behalf of her dad and late mom, founder of Highlander School. “We at Highlander hope to continue our next 50 years as we did the first 50, with her love of teaching and what she did want for each of those kids. I am honored and blessed to call Lake Highlands home.”

Chamber Board Member Karen Brown said everyone walked away a winner.

“Every person who is a nominee today is winner. You have been nominated by this community and you have been an instrumental part of Lake Highlands for many years.”

Chamber Founder and President Ted Hill agreed.

“All of these nominees had wonderful things said about them. This community is full of wonderful people. This community is full of wonderful hearts.”