The Pilot Club of Suffolk honored 12 individuals and 21 organizations and businesses during its 26th annual Civic Night on Monday at the Elks Lodge on West Constance Road.

It also gave the $1,000 Shirley C. Eley scholarship to Nansemond-Suffolk Academy student McKenzie Smith.

“We certainly think that the rescue squad and the Salvation Army and all the other things are worthwhile of support,” Pilot Club President Roberta Powell said. “Our community would be the poorer without them.”

Pilot International’s main service focus is on brain-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injury and developmental, emotional and mental disabilities, so many of the organizations and people honored work in this area.

A total of $2,400 in community service contributions went to the Nansemond-Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad, Suffolk Literacy Council, Project Lifesaver, Genieve Shelter, Suffolk Meals on Wheels, Western Tidewater Community Services Board, Salvation Army, Suffolk Crime Line, Camp Bruce McCoy, Alzheimer’s Association, Relay For Life and the Western Tidewater Free Clinic.

Nine people were awarded “Outstanding Community Honors.”

Jenny Lee of Florence Bowser Elementary School earned the Outstanding Teacher of Children with Disabilities title.

“It was easy for me to see right away how dedicated she is,” Principal Fran Barnes said of Lee, adding that the children trust her.

“That’s what I really like,” Barnes said.

Jessica Reitz of the Suffolk Literacy Council praised Susan White, who earned the title of Volunteer Literacy Council Tutor of the Year.

“Susan has a passion for the residents of Suffolk who do not speak English as their first language,” Reitz said. “We owe Susan an incredible amount of gratitude. She understands that the residents want to live here, work here, raise families here, and because of her, they can make (Suffolk) home.”

Brandon Rogers of the Western Tidewater Community Services Board honored Mary Chambliss, who was named Outstanding Community Professional.

“She works with kids who have severe behavioral problems,” he said of Chambliss, who counsels the children. One student went from being on the verge of expulsion to being selected Student of the Month, he said.

“That’s a change you can’t deny.”

Other honorees included Paramedic of the Year Colton Pulley, Firefighter of the Year David Harrell, Police Officer of the Year James Winslow, Outstanding Anchor Club Member Kasey Askew, Outstanding Bus Driver of Children with Disabilities Loretta Harvey and Outstanding Teacher’s Aide of Children with Disabilities Sheila Knight.

The club also gave appreciation certificates to Suffolk Fire Department, Suffolk Police Department, Suffolk Festivals, the Plaid Turnip, West End Baptist Church, R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, Suffolk Visitor Center, Johnson’s Gardens Inc., BPOE No. 685 Elks Lodge, Norman March, John Taylor and Angie Twiford.