SMITHFIELD (WSLS 10) - Vicki Gardner received a state award for her passion, commitment, and courage.
The Virginia Association of Chamber Commerce Executives awarded Gardner with the 'Resilience Award' at its annual meeting this week.
Recommended Videos
The association said the VACCE Resilience Award is new, and is given to Chamber executives who lead their chambers despite significant challenges.
Gardner, the Executive Director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber, was shot in the back August 26, 2015 while giving a live interview about the chamber.
She spent weeks in the hospital recovering from her injuries.
Afterwards, Gardner spoke out about Smith Mountain Lake, saying the area would not be defined by a single act of evil.
Joyce Waugh, past president of VACCE and president & CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber, said, "Vicki's passion for the community for which she serves has made a momentous and lasting contribution to that community as well as to the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Her courageous example has helped the community heal and come together stronger.
Read the full release below.
VICKI GARDNER RECOGNIZED WITH VACCE RESILIENCE AWARD
SMITHFIELD – Vicki Gardner, Executive Director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber, was recognized with the "Resilience Award" by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives at their annual meeting held June 23-24 in Smithfield.
The VACCE Resilience Award is a brand new award and will be given to a Chamber executive who has encountered significant challenges yet continues to lead their chambers admirably. The Resilience Award for Excellence was created to recognize and celebrate chamber individuals who have been significantly impacted by adverse experiences, endured significant individual and community challenges and have overcome obstacles, while demonstrating courage, bravery and tenacity.
Joyce Waugh, past president of VACCE and president & CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber presented Ms. Gardner with the award noting that, "Vicki's passion for the community for which she serves has made a momentous and lasting contribution to that community as well as to the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Her courageous example has helped the community heal and come together stronger. With heartfelt admiration, we would like to recognize Vicki Gardner with the VACCE Resilience Award."
On August 26, 2015, Vicki Gardner was shot in the back while being interviewed outside of her office, and she spent weeks in the hospital recovering from her injuries. She repeatedly said throughout her recovery that, "we will not be defined by this one act of evil, but rather by the thousands of beautiful people that make up our community."
After August 26, Vicki used media interviews and speaking engagements to inspire others to help overcome personal tragedies and to share with the world the community that she represents so well. Through the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber, she is in the process of implementing Vicki's Vision, which will include a community center for the area. She and her husband Tim have been residents of Smith Mountain Lake since 1988.
The Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE), administered by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, is an alliance of chamber executives representing large and small chambers of commerce from localities throughout the state. The Association also provides a forum and partnership for integrating the work of local chambers of commerce in order to contribute to the growth and development of their local communities and the Commonwealth.