A Time of Reflection

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Our Chamber… Expanding the Possibilities

Sharon Ponder

Vice President of Finance at the Bennett International Group

2019 Chair of Henry County Chamber of Commerce

Can you believe there is only one more month in this decade? This realization has given cause for deep reflection. What goals have you set that are still on your to do list? What business venture that you really wanted to give a try but instead you said, “Maybe next year?” Are you fulfilling the promise to your family to make more time for work/life balance? But more importantly as you reflect over this past decade what are you thankful for?

November has traditionally been known as the month that we take time to reflect and give thanks. This Thanksgiving will definitely be different for me as it will be the first Thanksgiving without either of my parents. My father passed away last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. So, although this Thanksgiving will be different – I am still truly thankful for all of the wonderful memories that I have with my father. My father was a very quiet man that spent his life from a very young age assuming the responsibilities for taking care of his family. He loved the Fall and Winter time because it gave him an opportunity to chop wood and make large fires in our wood burning fire place that would heat almost the entire home. Now, as we sit in this last quarter of the decade, I pose the question to you – What memories are you making with your family? It is easy especially as a working mother to find yourself trying to juggle all the balls that life throws you - but are you taking care of you? Are you taking time to create timeless moments? This year I look forward to starting a new Thanksgiving tradition with my family ensuring that my kids will have forever memories.

Steve Nail (r.) of Nail Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC, donates cash annually to support teachers new to Henry County.

Along with being thankful for my personal family I am also thankful for my Chamber family. I am in constant awe of the thoughtful actions of our Chamber members. Steve Nail, of Nail Heating and Air Conditioning, every year makes cash donations to our Teacher Induction Program (TIP) Luncheon, that is a huge hit with our teachers. And last month he organized a table collection that will be used in conjunction with Atlanta Food Banks to help needy families in the Hampton area.

The Heritage Bank Foundation donates thousands of dollars to support local organizations year round.

And there is rarely a charitable event in Henry County that doesn’t have Heritage Bank and the Heritage Foundation tied to it. I would truly be remiss if I didn’t mention that I am thankful to work for a company like Bennett International Group that starts off each board meeting by first giving thanks for the many blessing that have been bestowed upon the company. Also, Bennett and the Taylor Foundation are major givers to many nonprofits here in the area.

Bennett International Group leads the US in honoring our fallen heroes through Wreaths Across America program.

So as we go into this last month of the decade - reflect on what goals you still want to get accomplished to end the year strong – but more importantly reflect on the events that you are thankful for and what new events are you going to add to your “ making memories” list…… Continue to Expand your Possibilities.