Smyth Chamber’s Executive Director Awarded Anthem HealthKeepers Plus Community Partner Impact Award
The Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc, Sarah Gillespie, was awarded the Anthem HealthKeepers Plus 2025 Community Partner Impact Award at the annual Community Partner Appreciation Luncheon on January 29th, 2025.
The Community Partner Impact Award is designated to recognize an individual or organization whom Anthem HealthKeepers Plus feels has gone above and beyond to make an impact in the community they serve. Misty Lee, the Community Relations Consultant, from Anthem quoted “This organization serves to connect neighbors, build community, provide a platform to share resources and support for community member success. They offer a wide range of networking and educational opportunities and find unique and creative ways to engage in the community. In September, Smyth County was met with widespread damage from Hurricane Helene. The need was immediate and continues. Like many others in our area, the Smyth County Chamber of Commerce sprang into action.” Lee stated ways the Chamber supported their community’s needs in the days and weeks following the devastating damages from Hurricane Helene, including delivering over 200 meals to community members who were suffering from prolonged power outages, going door to door to deliver cleaning supplies, checked on businesses in flooded areas, organized donations that were shipped to the county, and coordinated with volunteers to begin clean up assistance. The Chamber has also taken on a role to assist with the long-term recovery efforts happening in Smyth County, managing a caseload of families whose homes were devastated by the rising waters and assisting in the rebuilding process.
Executive Director, Sarah Gillespie, states “It is an honor to be recognized by Anthem HealthKeepers Plus and to be chosen as the 2025 Community Partner Impact Award recipient. I am so thankful to those who have played a role in assisting the Chamber in our efforts. We could not accomplish so many wonderful initiatives without the support of our community. It is what make’s Smyth County Smyth Strong.” The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce is continuing to work on long-term recovery efforts from damages due to Hurricane Helene. To learn more about resources available, please visit www.smythchamber.org.
