BG Area Chamber of Commerce announces volunteer chamber awards

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- On Thursday morning, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce announced the five Volunteer Chamber awards. 

They recognized outstanding individuals in the community for the work and time they invested in improving the chamber and the community over the past year of 2020. 

And it was a complete surprise to all the individuals.

“It was really just a complete shock. Because it’s just part of serving the community. I don’t do it to get anything for it, other than just to try to give back to the community, make it a better place for every individual that lives here,” said Board Volunteer of the Year award winner Eric Walker. 

Denise Mitchell was the Ambassador of the Year, Doug Gorman was awarded Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Beth Noffsinger was granted the title of Young Professional of the Year, Eric Walker is the Board Volunteer of the Year. But that’s not all. 

Usually there are only four awards, but this year they created a fifth award called the Everyday Hero award, given to Charlie Fortney with Graves-Gilbert Clinic for keeping the community informed with health information. But he said he has a different hero in his life. 

“My son is my hero because of what he’s had to deal with this year,” said Fortney. 

His youngest son, Casey Fortney, was diagnosed with leukemia, and his dad says getting this award reminds him of his bravery. 

“He’s gone through chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, more than one this year. And the adversity that he’s faced, and the courage that he has, has been my inspiration just to get up and go on,” said Fortney. 

Fortney said he also is grateful to have worked with the chamber throughout the year.