by Ronda Lickteig
R-T Staff Writer
Some people go about their work quietly, often making sure someone else gets the glory and certainly never seeking it for themselves. Melissa Sims, who has been chosen as this year’s Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year, is one of those people.
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Mrs. Sims will be honored at the 2007 Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, scheduled for Friday evening at the Ketcham Community Center.
An employee of Farmers State Bank, Mrs. Sims said she became involved in the chamber after being asked by Ron Dougan to help with the 2005 Spring Fling Business Expo. In May 2005, she was asked by Chamber President Terri Henderson to serve as an ambassador, which is the public relations arm of the chamber.
“And I’ve been involved with it ever since,” she said.
Mrs. Sims said she enjoys her work with the chamber because it gets her out into the community.
“I like the public aspect of it, visiting with people,” she explained. “When I’ve been involved with activities like Missouri Days, I enjoy the fact that I’m getting to see people I don’t normally see.”
Mrs. Sims said she supports the mission of the chamber, which is to make businesses aware of the benefits of belonging to the organization and to foster their involvement with it. She hopes that through her work, people will see what Trenton has to offer as a community.
“I think it’s important that we get more people in town to see what we have to offer,” she said, pointing out North Central Missouri College and Crowder State Park as two assets that people sometimes overlook.
Mrs. Sims has been in Trenton about 20 years, having grown up in Fredrickstown in the southeast part of the state. She said her father and brother were both good examples of people who have worked to make their communities better. Even after his retirement, her father delivered Meals on Wheels. She learned by his example.
“I always knew I wanted to volunteer, but it just had to be the right time, I guess.”
In addition to her work with the chamber, Mrs. Sims has been involved with the Grundy County United Way since January 2001 and has been a member of the Trenton Kiwanis Club since May 2005. Between she and her husband, Steve, the couple has four teenagers ranging in age from 15 to 17, so while she doesn’t have a lot of spare time, she enjoys researching her family’s history when she gets a moment to herself.
Mrs. Henderson said Mrs. Sims is able to juggle the various aspects of her life – and do it all with a smile.
“As strategic plans change from year to year, we can always count on Melissa to embrace our plans, show great flexibility and always be a team player with a smile. She juggles being a wife, mother, employee at Farmers State Bank, leader as a chamber ambassador, is active in Kiwanis and United Way. No matter how many appointments or obligations that she has in one day, she is always on time, always has a smile, is not afraid to get her hands dirty and can always be counted on to deliver an above and beyond performance,” said Mrs. Henderson.
Mrs. Sims said she was very surprised to hear she had been selected for the honor.
“ I just said ‘no, I don’t think so’,” she recalled. “I thought there were others who were more worthy than me. We have a great group of ambassadors and they wholeheartedly want success for Trenton and for the chamber.”
Mrs. Sims shows no signs of slowing down her involvement in the community and believes she gets back as much as she gives. She also encourages others to become involved.
“I just enjoy being out and being a part of the community. I think it keeps me young. There are a lot of things that need to be done in the community. Volunteers are needed all over.”
The chamber’s annual meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the chamber office at a cost of $20 each. Reservations are due by Tuesday.