Monett Chamber’s top award to Beckett

Schreiber Foods, Great Dave’s Coffee win business accolades at banquet
The Monett Area Chamber of Commerce gave its top honor, the Community Service Award, to Donna Beckett during its annual banquet on March 6. Cox Monett Hospital was honored with the Pride and Progress Award. Corey Hartman received the Young Professional of the Year honor.
Beckett, who recently retired after more than 30 years in the banking business, 20 with Freedom Bank in Monett, was honored for her long history of volunteering in Monett. A past chamber board president, she served as Red Cross bloodmobile chairman for 30 years, 24 of those as chairperson of the Monett Red Cross chapter. She achieved stature as the top southwest Missouri American Red Cross female blood donor, giving more than 22 gallons over time.
Last year’s Community Service Award winner, Jerry Hudson, in his introduction, cited Beckett’s on the Monett Historical Society board, the GO CAPS global business and entrepreneurism advisory committee, the SOMOS board for Drury University in Monett, the DECA advisory board at the Scott Regional Technology Center, the Barry-Lawrence Crimestoppers board, the Monett Waterthrashers board, the Monett Youth Baseball and Softball Association board, the CoxHealth Systems Foundation Board, and the Cox Monett Community Advisory Board, where she was recently elected secretary. She has also volunteered with Dining for Diabetes and the Monett Community Kitchen.
“To know her is to love her,” said Hudson, when he revealed the nominee for a standing ovation from the audience.
“Dave [Beckett’s husband] and I love our community,” Beckett said. “Any time I can volunteer, I do. All these causes mean a lot to me. I’m proud to be a Monett person.”
She acknowledged having come to many chamber banquets alone, as her husband had other commitments. When he said he was coming with her this year, Beckett sensed something was up. She recalled her mother, Vera “Janice” Beshears, had goals, even at 94, when she passed away. She missed seeing her daughter retire and Donna and Dave’s 50th wedding anniversary. In receiving this award, Beckett said, “I can see up in heaven telling Jesus, ‘Isn’t that what your children do, wait till you die to get an award?’”
Pride and Progress
The Pride and Progress Award, given for a very specific contribution or community betterment project, was presented by Jaden Cooper, standing in for Howard Frazier, last year’s recipient for the Monett Regional Airport. Cooper acknowledged Cox Monett Hospital was recognized for making a large impact that helped the community grow and bringing sustainable healthcare to the community with its new facility.
Andrea McKay, Cox Monett president, accepted the award with general surgeon Dr. Logan Ouderkirk and several members of the hospital board.
“Oh, wow, what a nice surprise,” McKay said. “I feel really blessed by being part of Cox Monett and part of the community. We will do our best to keep that Pride and Progress moving forward.”
A video shown at the beginning of the banquet on the hospital noted Cox Monett has received a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Becker’s Hospital Review also listed Cox Monett as one of the top 350 cleanest hospitals in the nation, out of 4,500. McKay further noted Cox Monett was growing its skilled nursing program with expanding technology, a further effort to bring “exceptional care close to home.”
Young Professional of the Year
For the second year, the Monett Area Chamber recognized the Young Professional of the Year. The first winner, Amanda Lee, introduced Cory Hartman for demonstrating leadership aiding community growth. Hartman, as a member of the Young Professionals Network, was credited with assembling attendance-breaking Easter egg hunts and movies in the park. He has also worked on the Festival of Lights and Freedom and Fireworks committees, serves on the YPN board, participates in the Monett Masonic Lodge, the Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District board, and runs two local businesses.
Hartman dedicated the award to his wife, observing, “I couldn’t do half of what I do without her.”
Business Awards
The Big Business and Small Business of the Year awards were voted on by those in attendance at the banquet.
The Big Business honor, presented by José Guerra of Stay Clear, a 2024 winner, was Schreiber Foods, which marks its 50th anniversary in Monett next January. Dan Swearingen, plant manager, noted the firm had 41 partners when it began in Monett, and now employs more than 400. The plant produced 350 million pounds of product a year, enough cheese every week for everyone in the nation plus three McDonald’s cheeseburgers for all. Schreiber also supplies cheese for Burger King and Subway restaurant chains.
Swearingen credited the Monett plant’s success to being “aligned with a great community,” adding, “I’m looking forward to another 50 years.”
Small Business of the Year went to Great Dave’s Coffee Company, located at 404 E. Broadway. The family of Dave and Ann Saunders and their son David opened the business in 2024 in the location of the former Mocha Jo’s Coffee Café. The name of the operation offers a tip of the hat to the father-son Davids and the elder Saunders’ father, also a David.
Ann Saunders, who herself ran the Stone Cottage and Curves for Women in Monett in past decades, observed, “It’s kind of crazy starting a new business when you reach 60. My husband loves Italy and Espresso, and this is a way he can bring both to the community. I’ve never seen my husband as happy as he is now.
“We’re helping to revitalize downtown. It takes all of us to believe in our community and take care of downtown. Keep watching. We still have all kinds of things up our sleeve.”