"Volunteers make all the difference for the events and projects of Sylvania's Downtown Development Authority and Better Hometown Program," said Hilda Boykin, the program's manager.
      The Soda Shop Gallery is no exception with 32 volunteers staffing the gallery and logging 80 plus hours a month.
      Volunteers clean, water plants, cook for events, display art pieces, and staff the gallery during open hours.
      "For all this involvement, they deserve a party and an award," said Boykin, who is also director of the gallery.
      But with no money for fancy awards, the Golden Coke Awards were created: glass coke bottles sprayed with 24k gold paint, gold wire, and a Christmas ball declaring the year it is presented.
      The awards have been presented to volunteers for the five years the gallery has been open and have become a "status symbol in many homes," said Boykin.
      "New volunteers are envious of the ones who have all five," she said.
      The Soda Shop Gallery started in a vacant building on the square in Sylvania's downtown as an experimental art gallery showcasing local talent.
      The building was in such bad repair that no one would even look at it for a business, said Boykin.
      The building was donated for the first year and later purchased by the Downtown Development Authority when it became evident that there were enough Screven County artists to keep it full. Only artists with direct ties to the county are featured.
      The first remodeling was done with $750 from the DDA, donated materials, and volunteers in only five weeks.
      Over 300 supporters attended the gallery opening.
      This year's summer celebration was Mardi Gras-themed, complete with beads, feather boas and feather masks.
      A mannequin dressed in a red beaded dress, mask and black feather boa greeted everyone at the door.
      New recording artist, Jil Trower, provided music for the event, which was scheduled to last about an hour and a half, "but everyone had such fun," said Boykin, "that it lasted over three hours."
      There was tough competition to receive the outstanding volunteer awards this year, said Boykin.
      The "Ever Ready Award"-a gold flashlight with Ever Ready batteries for those who do whatever is needed-was awarded to Mary Jane Farren and Karen Thompson.
      The "Cookie Mama Award"-a silver cookie spatula for the person who is always ready to bake for upcoming events-was received by Katherine Weeks.
      For the person who volunteers on Saturdays when no one else wants to, the "Measure Up Award"-a measuring tape-went to Diane Bazemore.
      And finally, the coveted "Volunteer of the Year Award"-a green Mardi Gras jester's hat, complete with tiny bells, for the volunteer that is always involved-was given to Linda Gordon.
      "The gallery is a source of pride for our community," said Boykin, "and a must-visit place for everyone that comes to town."
      "It is amazing how much and how varied the talent we have in Screven County," she said.
      There are 36 artists whose work is displayed at the Soda Shop Gallery in downtown Sylvania.