In the highlight of the evening, the Douglas Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards to the Man and Woman of the Year, Howard Henderson and Carol Huddleston.

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The ceremony had a twist to it this year. Chamber Treasurer Evelyn Arvizu, who made the announcement, not only presented finalists in each category, but the winner’s name was kept secret until the ceremony.

In her presentation, Arvizu said, “Douglas has many members that have lived here all their lives, who lived here, left, and then decided that home is Douglas and come back. It has members who once visited Douglas and then decided this is where they wanted to make their home, and it has members who don’t live here but work here.

“All of these members make a difference in our community. They bring ideas. They bring skills and experience. Their vision and energy initiates or originates new programs or committees to meet the needs of our community. Without community volunteers and a working team, achievements of these visions and programs could not be accomplished.”

She said the selection committee had a difficult time in selecting the from all of the nominees, particularly the final two finalists in each division.

Finalists in the Man of the Year competition were Howard Henderson and Everett J. Jones, Jr.

Award winner Henderson came to Douglas in 1984. Upon his arrival, he saw a need for Christmas lights and a committee was formed for that purpose. He has also been involved in youth baseball and Pop Warner football, the Cochise College Advisory Committee for Adult Education, Lions Club and Golf and Social Club.

Henderson has participated in and has directed or has been the president of several committees and clubs; the community’s master of ceremonies and donates his time as a judge for the schools, parades, china poblana contests and others.

“He also donated his time to help the Chamber, the community and many, many other activities and events,” Arvizu said.

Finalist Jones was born and lived all of his life in Douglas, and served in the U.S. Nay and Naval reserves.

He has volunteered in church and local clubs and groups such as Boy Scouts, American Legion, Douglas Kiwanis and others.

Jones has served on the Board of Directors for SAMC, and  on  a local committee which formed Cochise College, Douglas Main Street Program and the Border Air Museum.

He has also served as a Cochise County Supervisor, and on county committee and Arizona state commissions and committees.

Woman of the Year winner Carol Huddleston has a long history of dedicated service to others since her retirement as a school nurse with the Douglas Unified School District.

She is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, volunteers at the Douglas Area Community Funds and is the heart of the Turning Point Community Network.

She has also served on the Cochise College president’s Advisory Council, Octotillo Women’s Group  and on other committees and organizations.

“She is a gentle, kind and loving community leader who is a powerful role model to the community,” she said.

The woman finalist is Cornelia Munoz who has been a volunteer since December 1993 at the Cochise County Attorney Office Crisis Intervention Program; a Relay for Life volunteer since 1997; and  an active member of the Douglas Area Democrats.

On Thanksgiving Day, she donates time to St. Vincent de Paul, takes part in the DARC Mother’s Day Cake Auction and is a member of St. Bernard’s and St. Luke’s Catholic churches.

“Her energy, compassion and love for family, friends and strangers are indescribable.”

Following the presentation, Mayor Michael Gomez and his wife Windi Gomez read proclamations for  Henderson and Huddleston.

In other presentations, El Chef and APS were named Small and Large Business of the Year, respectively.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Rep Gabrielle Giffords.

During her presentation,  she announced a $275,000 Department of Commerce grant for the city to assist with the call center  and $50,000  for the Small Business Center at Cochise College.

A change was also made in the GI Bill which increases the education benefit from $50,000 to $90,000, and if the the benefit could be used by a  spouse or child.