NATCHEZ — For Aaron Patten and Christina Logan, heading to work in the morning isn’t anything special.

But for the Natchez Business and Civic League, their contributions to the community are award worthy.

That’s why, last week, Patten received the group’s Man of the Year Award, and Logan was named the Woman of the Year.

“It was a total surprise,” Patten said sitting in his office. “And it’s absolutely an honor.”

Mary Lee Toles, NBCL president, said the award is the highest honor given by the organization.

While both Logan and Patten said they’re proud, and grateful, for the recognition — running their businesses and contributing to their community isn’t anything new.

And both said the work they’re doing is what they’re called to do.

Logan has owned and operated Playschool Childcare and Learning Center since 1997.

“This is the type of work that you have to want to do,” she said over a crying baby. “You don’t get into this for the money.”

Not only is it work that Logan loves, but it’s work she takes very seriously.

She said many of the children she watches spend close to 60 percent of their day with her.

“You just have to love this,” she said.

And Patten, like Logan, said the work he does is the work he loves.

Patten opened Integrity Mortgage Center in 2005 and his been helping people own a piece of the American dream ever since.

Patten, a mortgage broker, said helping families find their first homes is what he has been called to do.

“I love it,” he said. “When you have a client getting their first home, it’s the greatest feeling you can imagine.”

Patten said he once worked with a client for two years to get a mortgage.

When the mortgage finally came through, it was emotional.

“It was a real tearjerker,” he said.

And for Toles and the nominating committee, it’s a commitment to people and community that make Logan and Patten ideal winners.

“It’s a sign of excellence,” Toles said. “And it’s something both of them should be very proud of.”