January 22, 2022 Issue, Page 10 of 16

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2 January 22, 2022 Chamber Benefits Members and Community community members helping ber and potentially sometimes admission tickets with Mem- each other grow their business become a volunteer,” Cupp ber coupons on them; promot- as well as promoting individual added. ing agribusiness with annual growth within their business. Once a business or individual Southwest Farm & Home Expo “The Chamber is here to becomes a member, there are and Bull Sale; along with many help promote Elk City and its opportunities to help on dif- other large events/activities businesses and giving you the ferent committees. They are all opportunity to network with listed on the membership appli- throughout the year. other businesses and citizens cation and we look forward to A few of the Chamber com- in the community. The chamber guiding them to what best fits mittees consist of Ambassador creates events and activities in them. Committee, Christmas in the hopes of having many shop- The Chamber invests in the Park Committee, Fall Festival pers/tourists come to town to community through a multi- Committee, Leadership Elk shop, eat, fill up with gas, and tude of projects. Some of those City, Oil & Gas Industry Appre- spend the night in our hotels include: sponsoring community ciation Golf Tournament, Okla- to help promote our economy.” wide programs to enhance civic homa National Jr. Heifer Show, She continued to explain that unity; providing assistance to for some, benefits of member- potential Elk City businesses Retail Merchants, and South- ship may not be tangible, but and conducting educational west Farm & Home Expo. they are perpetual through eco- seminars and workshops for Members of the Board of nomic growth. local businesses and members; Director officers include Pam Chamber members are always promoting living, working, Muncrief - President, Shaley looking for ways to help grow learning, and shopping in Elk Sikes - President-Elect, Kather- their businesses, whether retail City; responding to all inqui- ine Brown - Past President, Kel- shops, services or professional ries made to the Chamber of ci Werner - Treasurer. Members services it is always on their Commerce concerning Elk City; of the Board are Kevin Akins, mind to promote their business. coordinating community wide “Individuals and retired busi- retail promotions to help pro- Brandy Coffman, Cody Crow, Susie Cupp, Executive Director. ness people can also join. Many mote, ”Eat, Shop, Stay & Play Elisha Mikles, Amy Robbins, individuals that have joined are Local” referring any inquires Kanyon Cunningham, Tami By Sheryl Ponce community prosper by making The chamber is the only full- ones who have been in business to Chamber of Commerce Fillingim, Justin Koch, Christie an economic impact. time organization that works for many years. They have either members first; publishing and Spieker, Shiloah Stover, Colby Being involved makes a differ- “When visitors come by or call for the sole purpose of advanc- sold their business or retired distributing the Chamber of Brewster, Corbin Dyson, Daniel ence in Elk City and a great way and are wanting information ing the economic, professional, and are happy to learn they can Commerce Business Directory; Garbarino, Cameron Rodrigues, is to become a member of the about a business that provides cultural, and civic welfare of the still be a member of the Cham- Chamber of Commerce Dollar Chamber of Commerce. What it a service or wanting to purchase community. It is an investment and Tara Fite. ber. Some visitors come in and Gift Certificate currency that is costs to be a chamber member is something, we always give them in the future of Elk City. For more information or to have noticed activities around produced by the chamber; pro- an investment in their business, chamber member’s names first, The mission statement is, town and they want to be a part viding advertising opportuni- pick up a membership applica- as well as the community, be- in hopes that it will generate “Working together to foster of that. So to be able to keep up ties on the Golf Scorecards the tion stop by the new Chamber cause member dollars are used business for them.” Executive an environment of growth and with what’s going on or meet Chamber provides to the Golf office located on the corner of to help local businesses and our Director, Susie Cupp explained. prosperity,” This translates to new people they join the Cham- Course, Elk City Schools Sports Main and Broadway. Better Together and Strength in Unity By Sheryl Ponce how supportive the community cal businesses maintained, and the corner of Main and Broad- has been with each other, not- grew despite of the adversities way, which she said was a true When looking over her past ing that businesses helped other they faced. blessing to the chamber at the year as president of Elk City businesses and that coming to- “It was challenging with the perfect time. She encouraged Chamber of Commerce, Kath- gether is important. virus. Businesses were short members of the community to erine Brown found the com- “We learned that we are truly staffed and in an economically stop by and see the new offices munity to be stronger at the better together, and there is challenging time. But, they end of 2021 than the beginning power in coming together to strived to move forward and to and location. of 2020. There was a complete cheer each other on. This com- prosper with grace. Watching “I want to thank Susie Cupp, shut down, not having an annu- munity and the people here businesses support other busi- Angi Wyatt, and Pam Muncrief al chamber banquet where she have my heart,” she continued. nesses showed the unity of com- for their support. Our commu- would have been presented her As part of her position on the ing together,” Brown explained. nity has strong business sup- gavel. Brown remained positive executive board, she has worked It seemed like accomplish- port that has a mind set of what and believes that the commu- closely with Executive Director ments were also met with chal- needs to be done. Working with nity started the year by looking Susie Cupp, as well as, the City lenges. She felt like the lack of Tom Ivester, City Manager and adversity in the face, but coming of Elk City’s City Manager, Tom predictability and uncertainly the Elk City Commissioners has out on top. Ivester. Brown has seen the ben- were the biggest obstacles orga- “We banded together. Local efits of working for a common nizations had to face. been wonderful,” Brown said. businesses had to brainstorm goal and has found this relation- “Each week we didn’t know Brown thanked her husband for new ideas, and ways of do- ship benefits all members of the what we were facing. At the Frank Brown, and her mother, ing things, and they succeeded chamber and the community. last minute we would have to LaDonna Thomas, as well as her in doing so. Not only have many “I have witnessed it up close change plans or cancel events children who have been sup- businesses survived the last two and personal this past year at all together . Everything we did, portive. Katherine and her hus- years, but they have thrived … a variety of Chamber events, we may have had to shut down band own and operate Browns many have expanded or remod- including the Red Bud Festival, or close the events altogether, Grill, a food trailer that can be eled to continue to serve this Block Parties, Christmas in the wondering if the right decision seen at most of the Chamber community. I think of Everett Park, and so much more,” she was made. We had to be mindful Blake Society, 580 Threads, and noted. of everything we did,” she said. events. Katherine Brown gives the Year in Review to the chamber The Vogue’s remodel, to name a Brown sees one of the big- Brown thanked the First Na- “I love service and people. I members and guests during the Annual Chamber Banquet. few,” Brown said. gest accomplishments during tional Bank family for donat- will serve in any capacity I can,” Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. She went on to talk about the past year as how well the lo- ing the First National Bank at she concluded. Thank You Elk City Chamber of Commerce! We are proud of all of your accomplishements last year! Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for all you do each year! Yes Finance fireplace on Decmeber 15, 2020 1414 W. 3rd St. 1503 West Third • Elk City, OK 73644 580-243-1112 • FED. IDENT. #731388647 Yes Finance Elk City, OK 580-225-1525 Thank you to the Elk City Chamber of Commerce. We had a great 2021 and we look forward totowhat forward whatis 2021 to comewillin bring! 2022! 18920 E 1170 Rd, Sayre, OK 73662 (580) 928-3366 www.nfecoop.com