The Jackson County Chamber’s 93rd annual dinner where they gave out several awards to members of the chamber and community on Sept. 12.

One of those honorees was Tonja Couch of Seymour, who received the Spirit of the Chamber award.

When she heard the news, Couch said she was surprised, wondering what she did to deserve such an award. She thought about all the people in the community who work hard that are also deserving of the award.

While she’s appreciative of being acknowledged, she said it’s not the reason she does what she does.

“Building a culture in our Jackson County community that’s focused on building one another’s businesses up is important,” Couch said.

This is part of her mission in her contributions to her work and the chamber, she said.

Couch has been in charge of sending emails to those in the chamber to connect its members through events such as the picnics. Through this, the community is able to learn more, network and grow.

“I cannot do what I do in the community […] without my support at home,” Couch said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, her and her husband, Andy, celebrated their 19th year anniversary. They also have four children, Hope, Faith, Ryan and Joy. They also are part of that loving, supportive system.

Couch has been volunteering and working in the community for a long time.

She worked as the Jackson County United Way administrative assistant from March 2007 to October 2008, which led to her position as program coordinator through September 2010. She became executive director of Jackson County United Way that year and stepped down in January of 2021 to enter the private sector. She is now a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Seymour.

“During my time at United Way, I helped shape a business model that led to successful community impact, dove deep into establishing metrics and measuring outcomes and leveraged the voice of community members from all walks of life,” Couch said. “I also learned, which inspired my engagement with the chamber, the fine art of relationship building and making connections where all businesses thrive.”

She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2010. She reflected on a fourth-grade student she was paired up who that is now in college, pursuing a career in education, and how special it is to be part of that child’s life.

She also served as the Bartholomew County director of 211, a free resource that connects Hoosiers with health and human service agencies in their communities.

In 2022, she was honored as the Girls Inc. Champion award winner, highlighting her position as a service-focused community member.

Finally, she also served as AmeriCorps program director until July 2011.

When it comes to Couch’s own inspirations, she thought of many, especially those working for non-profits and business owners who have paved the way across Jackson County.

The meaning of the Spirit of the Chamber award reminded Couch of a quote by Lao Tzu that she has hanging in her office — “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done this ourselves.’”

With a focus on helping the community, Couch said everyone has a place to contribute based on unique and individual passions, skills and talents.

“The world needs you. The Jackson County community needs you. […] I’ve learned a lot about myself (through volunteering), more than I’ve learned from others,” she said.