Approximately 350 people attended the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday evening as awards were handed out to its deserving members.

The Volunteer of the Year award went to Jim Dunegan for his leadership on committees such as the Bryan County Industrial-Ag Expo and the Magnolia Festival and to Vann Dixon for his nine years of service to the chamber as the treasurer, a position he relinquished this year.

Durant Medical Supply/Morrison Drug earned the Small Business of the Year award for providing service in a Christian atmosphere.

The Large Business of the Year award went to Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma for all its participation in charity events, as well as its support of local programs.

Special recognition was given to all the local banks for their support in local programs as well.

Past-president Jackie Harms passed the gavel to the new president, Butch Arnett.

Arnett talked about programs that the chamber has been involved with, touching on Leadership Durant and Pride Durant, adding that such programs make Durant a better place to live and work.

“I would like to personally thank four organizations that continue to work to improve the quality of life in Bryan County: Rick Hammel with the Chamber of Commerce, Donna Dow with Durant Main Street, Tommy Kramer with Economic Development and Paul Buntz with the City of Durant,” said Arnett.

Roger Speers, also known as Lester P. Scoogins, provided the entertainment for the evening.