Nothing makes for better PR than awards (see this column for ample proof), so when Public Relations professionals are themselves honored, it's a big deal-and an even bigger party. The Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA|GA) awarded the following five people Charter Awards at a gala, 200+ person awards ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead : Heather O'Dell, Associate Manager of Government Relations for The Home Depot received the Rising Star Award honoring a relative newcomer to public relations for exceptional leadership potential and achievement. Cristina Anderson, independent PR consultant, was given the Shining Star Award, which recognizes a mid-level public relations practitioner for demonstrating achievement and leadership. Ellen Weaver Hartman, APR, Fellow PRSA, and Vice President of Corporate Communications for AFC Enterprises, was awarded the George Goodwin Award. This award recognizes a Chapter member for significant contributions to the community through volunteer service in civic, cultural, charitable, educational or religious work at consistently high levels of participation. Hartman's friend and mentor, George Goodwin, for whom the award is named, presented the honor. Marleen Burford, APR, Fellow PRSA member and managing partner of High Oak Partners, a PR consultancy, received the Dyar Massey Award. The award recognizes a PRSA|GA member who has made a continuing and outstanding contribution to the Georgia Chapter and to the Society over a period of years. Bernard Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, was honored with the Distinguished Public Relations Award, given annually by PRSA|GA to a Georgian outside of the public relations profession who has made an outstanding contribution to Georgia and its image. In addition to the Chapter Award honors, some 66 other awards in 39 categories were presented at the annual gathering, recognizing a wide breadth of outstanding public relations work in the Southeast.