The Vinings Business Association on Tuesday named the Vinings Historic Preservation Society its 2012 Business of the Year.

“You all can’t possibly know what this means to me,” society Executive Director Gillian Greer said while accepting the award at the association’s monthly lunch meeting at the Social Vinings restaurant. “Everything we do is for Vinings. All the money we raise goes back to the community. With the exception of myself, everyone works for us on a volunteer basis. When you have so many people working hard for us, you can’t help but be a success. … Thanks, Vinings Business Association for believing in us and what we do.”

The society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and protecting the community’s historic sites, including the Yarbrough House, Pace House and Old Pavilion. It won against four other finalists: the Bright Side News Vinings edition, the Courtyard by Marriott Vinings hotel, LGE Community Credit Union and Social Vinings.

Association president Chris Heuser said the society received the award for its “community service.”

“All the things they do are for Vinings, like the Pace House (which, along with the Old Pavilion, hosts public and private events), and 100 percent is for Vinings,” Heuser said, adding choosing a winner was difficult, as in every other year.

Society president Karen DeRuyter said the organization was honored to get the award.

“We just launched our capital (fundraising) campaign, and this adds to it,” she said.

Greer added, “It is just outstanding. … This just ices our cake.”