The Savannah Office of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter announced its Man & Woman of the Year last night at their campaign’s Grand Finale Gala at Savannah Station. Eleven local Savannah community leaders -- six men and five women -- have been competing with each other for the last ten weeks to raise the most money for LLS.  In its fourth year, the event raised $426,424, exceeding the original goal by $26,424 and bringing campaign’s total raised in just four years to $1.3 million.

Jack O’Neill of Savannah Periodontics was named the 2016 Man of the Year, raising $50,665. Amelia Harper of TLK Research, Inc. was named the 2016 Woman of the Year, raising $88,407.  The Man of the Year runner-up was Joseph Shearouse, Jr. of the City of Savannah and the Woman of the Year runner-up was Shannan Hunt of Seabolt Brokers.

“We were pleased to recruit such an outstanding class of candidates for this campaign. While only two people are awarded the titles Man & Woman of the Year, we are extremely proud of all of our candidates.  In just the fourth year of our Savannah Man & Woman of the Year campaign, we have exceeded $1.3 million raised to cure blood cancers.  We couldn’t be happier with the results of our candidates or more proud of their accomplishments,” said Jennie Brewster, Manager of the Savannah Man & Woman of the Year campaign for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

This year, Joseph Shearouse, Jr. of the City of Savannah won the Mission Integration Award; given to the candidate who demonstrated exceptional integration of the LLS mission into their campaign. Master Sergeant Jamal Barrow of the United States Air Force won the Community Involvement Award; given to the candidate that facilitated exposure in the community and built a strong program and team. New this year, Outstanding Team Member Award, given to a member of a candidate’s fundraising team in recognition of going above and beyond in support of their candidate and the LLS mission, was awarded to Jessica O’Neill of Team IV for III.

Every dollar the candidates raised counted as one “vote” and the candidates with the most votes were awarded the title Man & Woman of the Year. Woman of the Year Amelia Harper and Man of the Year Jack O’Neill will now be entered into the national competition for Man & Woman of the Year, which will be named in July.  All the candidates competed in honor of LLS’s Boy & Girl of the Year, Jonathan and Maci, local children who are blood cancer survivors and sources of inspiration to others.

The 2016 Man of the Year nominees were: Jamal Barrow, The United States Air Force; Adam Cohen, Specialists On Call; Jack O’Neill, Savannah Periodontics; Benjamin Couch Payne, Savannah Classical Academy; Joseph Shearouse, Jr., City of Savannah and Dominick Tambon, Arthrex.

The 2016 Woman of the Year nominees were: Carrie Egerton, Tanger Outlets; Amelia Harper, TKL Research, Inc.; Shannan Hunt, Seabolt Brokers; Natalie Moore-Winchell, Frank Moore & Company and Kelley Sullivan, BankSouth Mortgage.

The candidates were selected by a Leadership Team co-chaired by Emily Dickinson of Wet Willie’s Management Corp. and Patrick Connell of Ellis, Painter, Ratterree and Adams.  “The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a great opportunity for participants to network with other candidates while raising money for an important cause,” said Emily Dickinson, Leadership Team Co-Chair.  “We applaud the tireless efforts of our incredible candidates and thank each of them for making such a significant difference in the lives of so many people.”