Members of the Farmville Jaycees were recognized for their dedication and service to the community during the group’s annual awards banquet recently.

The event, which took place in late January, honored members of the organization who exceeded expectations last year.

Jeffrey Gore, the 2016 Jaycees president, presented the recipients with their awards. He said all the recipients were deserving.

“The Farmville Jaycees showed great teamwork during 2016 with planning and executing events,” Gore said.

Jaycee Cam Patterson, former president and state director, received both the Robert F. “Buz” Schultz Leadership Award and an award for implementing the chapter’s mini-grant program.

The Tucker Watkins Outstanding Local Officer Award was presented to Eboni Lee.

Lee said the award came as a surprise.

“I’m very thankful to have been shown such appreciation for the contributions I make to the chapter,” Lee said. “I don’t do it for any accolades, so being awarded out of the blue is a very special honor.”

According to Lee, both Lee’s and Patterson’s awards were presented from the Virginia Jaycees, the parent organization of the Farmville chapter.

The remaining awards were voted on and decided by the organization’s members.

Ebie Baker, who just completed her first year as a member of the Jaycees, received two honors: The New Member of the Year Award and the Ray Poulston Jaycee of the Year Award.

“Winning two awards was definitely a shock,” Baker said. “I’m really grateful to be part of such a fun, impactful organization that’s allowed me to get more involved in and give back to the community and also given me an awesome group of friends.”

Baker was also recognized, along with Mark Farley, Warren Reid, Jenny Bates, Gore, Meagan Morrissey and Becca Shelton for helping organize the chapter’s 75th Anniversary Banquet which won Project of the Year.

“We have our first membership meeting with our new administration this week, and I think we have a really exciting year to look forward to,” said Baker.

Farley, president; Baker, vice president; Brandon Clark, treasurer; Morrissey, secretary; and Gore, state director, were initiated into their roles as 2017 officers during the banquet.

“All of the hard work paid off with the amount of money we were able to raise and will be donating back into the community,” said Gore, noting the organization will donate about $10,000.

Those interested in becoming involved with the Jaycees should email thefarmvillejaycees@gmail.com or visit the organization’s website at www.farmvillejaycees.com.