Marine Lance Cpl. John Thomas Doody, left and Marine Cpl. Paolo Darcy, were honored as hometown heroes at the 83rd annual Ruskin-Southshore Chamber Awards Dinner. Mothers, Kim Ott, far left, and Isabel Darcy joined them.

by Lois Kindle - The Tampa Tribune, 02/11/11

APOLLO BEACH - More than 200 people turned out for an evening of recognition on Feb. 4 as the Ruskin-SouthShore Chamber of Commerce celebrated another successful year.

The purpose of the gala at Southshore Falls was twofold, said Melanie Morrison, the chamber's executive director.

"It's an opportunity for us to acknowledge our annual award winners," she said, "and to thank our members for their support."

At the beginning of this year's program, the chamber took a moment to recognize two Marines who served in combat - Lance Cpl. John Thomas Doody and Cpl. Paolo Darcy. Within months of his deployment to Iraq, Doody was shot by a sniper and is now paralyzed and visually impaired from his wounds, subsequent stroke and infection.

Darcy came home safely after three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Each man received a standing ovation and commemorative globe for his commitment, sacrifice and service.

"It is important for us in the South Shore community to embrace these guys as our hometown heroes and continue to acknowledge their sacrifices," Morrison said. "Everyone was so moved by the tribute."

Under the direction of Chef Paul Shaffer, the buffet-style dinner was catered by South County Career Center culinary arts students.

The following awards were presented at the gala:

• Ambassador of the Year: Gary Schumacher, Kaiser & Blair
• Volunteer of the Year: Carol Newcomb, Weichert Realtors - Southshore
• Business Person of the Year: Mary Ann Wilhelm, Wilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning
• Large Business: The Home Depot
• Small Business: Southern Grace Inc.
• Rising Star: Hillsborough Community College SouthShore
• E.G. Simmons Award for community service: Deb Adams, M&I Bank.

A highlight of the evening was honorary mayor Penny Smith passing the key to the city to Wilhelm, who agreed to step in after Smith's employer, H&R Block, transferred her to North Carolina. Wilhelm had campaigned for the title five successive years and raised thousands for the chamber and charity.

As always, she was a woman of few words.

"This was the year I collected the least and I won," Wilhelm joked as she accepted the key. "So now that I know how it works I might just do it again."