Just before announcing the winner of the Natchezian award Thursday night, last year&8217;s winner pointed out something ironic about all of the award winners that night: They volunteer their service to the community with no thought for personal gain, awards or otherwise.

The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce could not have picked more appropriate individuals for its annual awards. Arella Bacon, the Athena award winner, has almost single-handedly made beautification a constant issue in Natchez and Adams County. Her persistence has helped make it a top priority in Mayor Phillip West&8217;s administration.

Bruce Brice Sr. is not a Natchez native, but his volunteer work and service to the community makes him an appropriate winner for the new Community Champion award. Supermarket Operations, a grocery store chain owned by the Loy family since 1969, is a constant presence in the Miss-Lou, providing not just customer service but community service, often without any recognition.

And Natchezian winner Woody Allen has been de facto director of the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority for much of this year. In his volunteer position, he is shepherding projects like the purchase of International Paper&8217;s former mill site and the new Rentech deal to the brink of success. We&8217;re proud to live in a community with such dedicated, humble residents.