EDITORIAL: Kudos to the Chamber honorees

Aiken County is blessed with many fine leaders who understand and value giving back to the community. Each year, the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce honors a man, woman, large business and small business that has gone above and beyond to contribute to the well-being and quality of life in Aiken.

This year, the Chamber leadership's selections were definitely among those rare individuals and businesses who set themselves apart with their commitment to the Aiken area.

The honorees announced last week, are:

* Woman of the Year - Vicki Bukovitz, executive director of Area Churches Together Serving.

* Man of the Year - Scott Hunter, publisher and editor of the Aiken Standard.

* Small Business of the Year - Southeastern Tool Company, Inc./Southeastern Systems.

* Large Business of the Year - Security Federal Bank

We congratulate the winners and agree with the Chamber that they have gon above and beyond to make a difference in the community and have made significantly contributioned to our quality of life.

Since taking over in 1993, Bukovitz has grown ACTS from a small charity to an organization that provides $18 million in client services. It has more than 300 volunteers and touches the lives of more than 6,000 people each year through food assistance, clothing, prescription medications, household items and much more.

What's more, one visit to ACTS and you can feel her enthusiasm and love for the organization and her determination to help those in need. She doesn't seek accolades, just what's needed to assist the clients.

Southeastern Tool Company, Inc./Southeastern Systems has grown from a custom machine shop to a small business with 28 full-time employees that has established itself as an international custom tool and die maker that performs engineering services and builds specialty machines for manufacturing processes and other applications worldwide.

Employees and the company's owner and president, Don Cheeks, donate their time and talents to many charitable causes including Golden Harvest Food Bank's annual fundraiser, Taste of the Harvest; Celebrity Waiter Night benefiting Children's Place; the Steak 'N Steak Dinner for the Boys and Girls Club, and many others.

For 90 years, Security Federal Bank and its predecessors have operated in Aiken County. Through the years it has grown and today has 220 employees with 13 full-service branches. One of the bank's most significant contributions is its Financial Counseling program, a no-cost, confidential, one-on-one program that helps individuals reduce their debt and establish or improve their credit.

We congratulate all the winners and thank them for their service and dedication to our community.