Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1357477
The Youth Empowerment Award is reserved for a community member that exhibits extraordinary commitment to the children in our community through a variety of outlets. This year's winner, Jamie Marshall, was indispensable as the chairperson of the Kids Education YES (KEY) steering committee. KEY aims to educate the Great Falls community on the importance of funding our public schools through the necessary passage of bonds and levies. Marshall's humble leadership was instrumental in getting the 2020 levy passed, even during a pandemic. Educators, administrators, and civic leaders all recognize Marshall and her accomplishments by name. Marshall, however, gives all the credit to her family and the hardworking team with which she surrounds herself. As Great Falls Public School (GFPS) Director of Business Operations Brian Patrick said of Marshall, "Never underestimate the power of one person to make a difference. Her leadership at a high level in our community is to be admired." "Jamie Marshall is an outstanding human being! She loves children, and she loves our community. She walks her talk by advocating fiercely for things that truly matter. Things like safe and strong schools, student and adult mental health, non- violence, and civility. We are so blessed to have Jamie Marshall and her family in Great Falls, Montana. What an awesome example Jamie is for our children, parents, and teachers." -Tom Moore, GFPS Superintendent "Jamie Marshall knows that nothing empowers a child more than a good education. As the chair of Kids Education YES, she has worked tirelessly to make sure that every child in Great Falls – whatever their background, whatever their economic status, whatever their talents or disabilities – that child will get an excellent education in Great Falls' public schools." Mary Moe, City Commissioner 2020 was our first presentation of this new award category: Customer Service Champion. Ferrin's Furniture is a family-owned business established in 1899. With more than 120 years of expertise behind them, the Ferrin family are experts in high- quality furniture and customer service to match. Ferrin's Furniture's showroom spans five floors of complete room settings with home accents, all of which are ready to take home off the floor. Your items are available for delivery by the same gentlemen who sold them to you. One of their award nominators said, "Customer service is key, and they really do it right. Their customers are their neighbors and they truly do a tremendous job making anyone feel welcome in their store." Another said,"[I had] damaged furniture; they picked it up, repaired it better than the manufacturer built it, and did not charge me a dime." Ferrin's Furniture proves that you win customers by reputation and following the universal Golden Rule. Our Ambassador of the Year award was presented to a person on our Ambassador Committee who has exemplified what championing for the Chamber and its members looks like. Through the year, this meant being the meet and greet person who stayed in touch with incoming members, stopping into businesses to thank them for their membership, celebrating their wins, advocating for their needs, or coordinating how to better support our members. This was a unique challenge for our Ambassador Committee through 2020, and we had higher expectations due to our limited capacity for events and engagements due to the coronavirus restrictions. However, Yolanda Smalls with Edward Jones – Amanda Maher rose to the challenge. Since joining the Ambassador Committee, Smalls has been highly engaged, eager to share her input. You can find her at our events at the registration table, sometimes even working the whole event! She is outgoing, friendly, and reliable. If another ambassador has to call off their shift unexpectedly, we can pretty much guarantee that she will step up and cover. She adds laughter and fun to our monthly meetings and is always early! Smalls is the 2020-2021 Ambassador Committee chairperson, and the Chamber is looking forward to her continued contributions to the committee and our members. 91 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org Photo by Erin Schermele Films Customer Service Champion: Ferrin's Furniture Ambassador of the Year: Yolanda Smalls Youth Empowerment Award: Jamie Marshall