1/29/2010 5:01:00 AM Grimm, Vancrest highlight winners at Chamber Banquet
Ed Gebert/Times Bulletin Donna Grimm, past president of Community Health Professionals, was presented the Ray Miller Award last night at the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet. Dave Roach presented Grimm with the award.
Ed Gebert/Times Bulletin Winners of the Crystal Image Award at the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet Thursday evening was Vancrest Health Care Center, accepted by Carol White. Shonda Vorst, Chamber Board vice-chair, presented the award to Carol White of Vancrest.
BY ED GEBERT
Times Bulletin News Writer
egebert@timesbulletin.com
The night had many winners, but special recognition was given to Community Health Professionals Past President/Consultant Donna Grimm and to Vancrest Health Care Center.
The event was the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet held Thursday evening at Willow Bend Country Club. The dinner is a time to honor area businesses for their accomplishments and to look ahead to the future.
Grimm was named winner of the Ray Miller Award. This honor is presented to a Van Wert County resident with ties to the chamber who has shown a strong commitment to the community through volunteer work and service. Grimm was singled out for her service through Community Health Professionals, as well as Van Wert Rotary Club, Vantage Career Center Advisory Group, and a long list of other community service organizations.
"This is truly an honor," exclaimed Grimm as she thanked the crowd. "Van Wert is a great community. We raised four kids here and we're proud to be a part of this community."
Slideshow of Chamber Award Winners
CHP grew out of Grimm's efforts to develop a visiting nurse service in the 1970s. Today, CHP serves residents in 16 Ohio counties with nine branch offices, two inpatient hospice facilities, and more than 500 employees.
The Crystal Image Award was presented to Vancrest Health Care Center. The award was designed to honor a chamber investor that demonstrates community leadership through business responsibility, productivity, employment empowerment and service to the community.
Carol White accepted the award for Vancrest. "On behalf of my brothers Steve White and Mark White, I'd like to thank the chamber for recognizing our contributions," she stated.
Vancrest is in its 50th year offering physical, occupational, speech therapy services, and home health care. The company employs 350 people through branches in Van Wert, Convoy, Delphos, Greenville, Eaton, Holgate, and Urbana.
A number of Milestone Recognition Awards were handed out to companies marking anniversaries last year. Celebrating 30 years were Crisis Care, Lee's Ace Hardware, and RCS Construction. Baker Built Products and Bebout & Houg Roofing & Siding marked 35 years in business. Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District hit 60, Stahl Stoller Meyer Insurance Center passed 80 years, and Van Wert Federal celebrated 120 years in 2009.
Also recognized were several businesses who completed renovations or expansions in the past year. Golden Shovel Awards went to Slusher's Jewelry & Tuxedos, Wilkinson Printing, Village of Ohio City, CHP Inpatient Hospice Center, Rhoades Insurance Agency, and Holiday Inn Express.
Mike Heffelfinger was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for his service as president of the Chamber Board of Directors.
The evening was capped off with keynote speaker Bill Grunkemeyer, OSU Extension Community Development specialist, speaking about the qualities of a business supportive community.
Video of the Chamber Awards Dinner
The event was sponsored by Van Wert Federal. The awards sponsor was WERT/WKSD and the Van Wert Independent.
