The Sparta business community will come together Wednesday to honor local emergency personnel.
White County Chamber Board Chairman Zach Buckner said the organization wants to recognize the daily sacrifices made by paramedics, firefighters and rescue squad members. Buckner said the event serves as a platform for chamber stakeholders to express gratitude while building personal connections with the county’s first responders.
“I don’t think we can ever thank our first responders enough for what they do every single day,” Buckner said. “At the chamber, we are extremely thankful for them and we want to honor them in any way we can. And this is just a great way for our chamber membership and all of our stakeholders to get together and number one, thank our first responders, paramedics, firemen, EMS, rescue squad, but then also just get to know them a little bit.”
Buckner said the chamber team developed the idea as a creative way to engage the community and recognize local heroes. Buckner said he hopes the appreciation event becomes an annual tradition for the organization.
“Our team at the chamber is phenomenal,” Buckner said. “Brent (Young) and Mindy (Copeland) and the rest of the chamber team are constantly looking for creative ways to to get involved in the community and they just came up with this this idea to recognize these local heroes and I think it’s really a neat thing and hopefully something that we do annually.”
Buckner said the gathering provides a networking environment where local business owners can share ideas and gain exposure. Buckner said these interactions are a priority because long-term business relationships and collaborations often begin at chamber events.
“Networking is always going to be a priority for us as a chamber,” Buckner said. “So many business transactions and business relationships that wind up lasting a lifetime happen at these chamber events. And you know, if you don’t attend these, you’re really missing out because you never know when you might wind up collaborating with another local business or meet your next largest client.”
Buckner said first responders often work in stressful and difficult roles that can sometimes feel thankless. Buckner said providing an extra boost of encouragement from the business community is essential for those who have a calling to serve.
“I think EMS and first responder roles are jobs that are extremely stressful, they’re extremely difficult,” Buckner said. “You truly have to have a calling to do those jobs. Us encouraging that group is so important as a community. It’s something that I think we should always do more of and I think that they deserve the honor that is due for the sacrifices they make every day. So I do think it can make a difference in their lives with having that extra boost of encouragement from the business community.”
Buckner said a successful event will result in emergency personnel feeling welcomed and honored by the people they protect. Buckner said he expects between 30 and 40 people to attend the gathering.
“I hope they leave feeling extremely encouraged,” Buckner said. “I hope they leave knowing the businesses in Sparta and White County that do support them, the ones that are showing up and and that are thankful for what they’re doing. I hope they feel very very honored.”
The event is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the chamber office.