The Pilot Club of Suffolk honored a long list of individuals, businesses and organizations that serve the community at the 22nd annual Civic Night awards ceremony on recently.

“It is clear that Suffolk is a great city to live and work in,” said Margaret Smith, Pilot Club member and the Mistress of Ceremonies for the awards.

Jennifer Mochan, Kevin Dodson and Sheron Gibson were recognized as the EMT, Police Officer, and Firefighter of the Year, respectively. Mamie Martin-Ross was honored as the Volunteer Literacy Council Tutor of the Year, while Katie Humphrey was named Outstanding Community Professional, and Gabrielle Gardner was Outstanding Anchor Club Member.

Three school employees were recognized for their work with children with disabilities. Constance Ricks was named Outstanding Bus Driver, Jacqueline Holland was named Outstanding Teacher’s Assistant and Angela Brown was named Outstanding Teacher.

Several organizations were awarded contributions for their community service efforts. These were the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad, ForKids, the Suffolk Literacy Council, Project Lifesaver, the Genieve Shelter, Suffolk Meals on Wheels, the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, the Salvation Army, the Children’s Center, Crime Line, Camp Bruce McCoy, the Alzheimer’s Association and Suffolk’s Rockin’ Relay for Life.

The Pilot Club also gave appreciation certificates to three individuals – Felton Mann of the Suffolk Parks & Recreation Department, Robert Baker of Constantia House and Suffolk News-Herald reporter Lauren Wicks. Businesses and other groups that receieved certificates were the Suffolk Police Department, the Air Force Junior ROTC at Lakeland High School, Horton Nursery, Suffolk Festivals, Applebee’s, Elks Lodge No. 685, Holland Hardware and the Suffolk Visitor Center.

Pilot Club member Suzanne Langston sang America the Beautiful and God Bless America, which the audience joined in singing. Other speakers included Terri Anderson, who serves as the governor of the Pilot Club’s Virginia District, and Suffolk Mayor Linda Johnson.

Pilot International, a service organization that focuses on brain-related disorders, was chartered in Macon, Ga. on October 18, 1921. The group has approximately 500 clubs and 25,000 adult and youth members worldwide, and gets its namesake from the riverboat pilots of the 1900s.