The City of Winder has been recognized on the national stage, winning three Savvy Awards at the 3CMA (City-County Communications & Marketing Association) Annual Conference held Sept. 3–5.

The Savvy Awards celebrate the best in local government communications, with hundreds of entries from across the country. The program has honored outstanding public information and marketing efforts for more than 30 years.

Winder earned recognition in three categories:

• Gold – Best Use of Humor: Potholes of Winder
• Bronze – One-Time Event: Stronger Together, A City’s Response to Tragedy for the Jelly Roll Healing Concert
• Bronze – Best Social Media Campaign: We Are Winder video series

Potholes of Winder – On April Fool’s Day, the City of Winder launched a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign that used humor to highlight a serious issue: potholes. What began as a joke quickly became a memorable public education effort, and became the City’s most popular Facebook. The campaign engaged thousands of residents, sparked conversation, and turned curiosity into civic action by encouraging people to report road issues. City staff responded in real time, answering questions, patching potholes, and building trust. What could have been a throwaway joke became a master class in PR—using humor to inform, educate, and deliver results.

Stronger Together: A City’s Response to Tragedy – Following the devastating events at Apalachee High School, Winder partnered with country artist Jelly Roll to host a healing concert that brought the community together. The event honored the victims, supported families, and gave residents a space to grieve and heal collectively. By combining thoughtful messaging, collaboration, and compassionate storytelling, the city turned a moment of heartbreak into a powerful demonstration of resilience and unity.

We Are Winder – As part of Georgia Cities Week, the We Are Winder video series spotlighted city employees and the vital services they provide every day. Each short video offered residents a behind-the-scenes look at the people who keep the city running, from public safety officers to utility workers. The campaign not only built community pride but also humanized city government, showing that Winder is more than buildings and services—it’s the people who serve their neighbors with dedication and heart. View the video series here.

“These awards are a proud moment for Winder. They show that our city is being recognized across the country for the way we connect with residents,” said City Administrator Jonathan Lynn.” What excites me most is that this recognition belongs to the whole community—it’s proof that Winder’s story is worth telling and worth celebrating.”

“These awards prove that communications matter. In Winder, we’re using social media to build trust and connect with people in real ways—whether it’s celebrating our staff, tackling tough issues, or helping the community heal,” said Communications Director Sara Freeland. “These awards demonstrate that Winder is competing at the highest level of government communications nationwide.”

The Savvy Awards are judged by communications professionals from across the country and recognize programs that effectively engage residents and elevate the profession of public sector communications.