Whatever your political persuasion, Saturday’s “Celebration of Community Heroes” was an uplifting event worthy of a growing city that seeks to maintain its small-town-that-cares atmosphere.

Putting aside the partisanship espoused by Sen. Louis Lucas — which wasn’t necessarily out of place, considering that the event was sponsored by Suffolk’s Democratic Committee — the banquet could have been a function of just about any Suffolk community organization.

And, aside from the obvious exception that one of the qualifications for the award was a commitment to the ideals of the Democratic Party, the three honorees this year could have been honored by just about any of the city’s civic clubs. In fact, one of the common points in their biographies is that their service has gone beyond politics and into the realm of true community service.

Angela Chandler, who has been a major force in the conception, birth and nurturing of the Suffolk Humane Society, exemplifies a desire to look out for the most helpless members of our society.

Harold Faulk has been somewhat more active in Suffolk politics, working on various Democratic campaigns throughout the years and as president of the NAACP — an organization with an obvious political bent, if not an overt political mission — but his service as chairman of the city’s Economic Development Authority has had a positive influence on all of Suffolk, whether blue or red.

Finally, Margaret Jones was lauded for her commitment to improving health care opportunities for residents of Suffolk and the rest of Western Tidewater. It’s another endeavor that cuts across political divisions.

Congratulations to all three worthy honorees, and to the Democratic Committee for recognizing the need to pay tribute to them.