The Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce held its 107th annual awards gala and barbecue on May 12 at its headquarters at the historic Robert Mills Courthouse. Preceding a meal catered by Old South Catery, the chamber handed out a number of awards, including two Business Partner of the Year awards for assisting the Kershaw County School district; small, medium and large Businesses of the Year; the William F. Nettles Award for furthering chamber objectives; and the President’s Award.

Those who won awards but were not present for the gala included representatives from Medium Business of the Year Award winner Sheheen Hancock & Godwin LLP. The firm won the award for not only offering a wide range of services to more than 4,000 clients, but for being loyal and supportive chamber members for more than 20 years. Two partners, Austin Sheheen Jr. in 1973, and Tony Boykin in 1988, are past chamber presidents. The firm supports many charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Camden Jaycees, Ducks Unlimited, Food for the Soul and Habitat for Humanity of Kershaw County.

Also not present was William F. Nettles Award winner Paul Hilton of Human Resources Consulting. The Nettles Award is given to a chamber member who has done the most to further chamber programs during the last year. Hilton assisted with the chamber’s executive director search. He was also recognized as “someone who does business to make sure people are treated justly, fairly and are working within the requirements of the law,” according to Executive Director Amy Kinard. “He is also one of the nicest, most humble people you will ever meet.”