The Lunenburg Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9954 in Victoria, where chamber members honored business owners and community members who have made a lasting impact in Lunenburg County.

Lunenburg County Ministries Chairman Robert Ledbetter was awarded Citizen of the Year by the chamber. Ledbetter served for more than 30 years with Lunenburg County Public Schools, according to documentation from the chamber, working as principal of Victoria Elementary School and assistant principal at Kenbridge Elementary School.

Ledbetter has also been a council member with the Kenbridge Town Council and has served on the Kenbridge Fire Department.

According to documentation by the chamber, Ledbetter is actively involved in the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, which encourages community participation in projects helping citizens in need. He is also active at Kenbridge United Methodist Church and serves as pastor at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Mecklenburg County.

“Robert does all of the above and still has time for his 101-year-old mother, wife, daughters and grandchildren,” documentation from the chamber cited, noting his humility and service to the community.

Marco and Norma Cruz, owners of Marino’s Italian Restaurant, were awarded Business of the Year by the chamber. The Cruz family, according to the chamber, became new owners of the restaurant. They changed the menu and made prices more affordable for county residents, according to the chamber.

They have also provided free pizza for school events and have worked with the chamber, the VFW, the Lunenburg Rotary Club among other organizations in Lunenburg.