Branson chamber picks small business, charity award winners

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau last week named the annual recipients of the Small Business of the Year, Charity of the Year and Ozark Mountain Hospitality awards.

Winners, honored during a May 14 banquet at Chateau on the Lake, were selected by a volunteer committee of chamber leadership officials, according to a news release.

Earls Family Broadcasting was chosen as the 2015 Small Business of the Year. The ownership family has been involved in broadcasting media for over 50 years and operates Branson’s “The Vacation Channel” and five radio stations.

The company defeated competitors Cooper Creek Resort & Campground Inc., Copper Run Distillery, Gifts of Distinction, Herrman Lumber, Kom Hot Yoga, Lakeland Pharmacy, Multi Printing Inc., Reserve Direct, Southern Missouri Judicial Service, Starlite Theatre and Taney County Tire & Towing, according to the release.

The Charity of the Year award went to the Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks, a nonprofit founded in 2008 to provide free health care and treatment to individuals with no medical insurance. The clinic runs completely via volunteers.

Other finalists were Generation Rescue, Love Inc., Options Pregnancy Clinic, Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society and Together Forever, according to the release.

Golden Corral was named the winner of the Ozark Mountain Hospitality award for its community involvement efforts. Bott Radio Network was the other finalist.