OACC holds its annual awards program
Orrville Mayor Dave Handwerk, right, presented the key to the city to 2020 Paul L Powell Citizen of the Year Maribeth Burns at the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce awards program, held at Orrville High School on June 24.
On Thursday, June 24, Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce members gathered at Orrville High School for the annual awards program.
The theme for the “Celebration of Community” was to shine the spotlight on the resilience of the business community. Despite the rocky road of the past year, chamber members stepped up to the challenge to keep their businesses, organizations and community thriving.
The OACC Board of Directors made the decision to step away from the traditional awards dinner format and present something entirely new for 2021.
“Planning a large event in 2021 was challenging amidst the health restrictions that were in place,” said Lori Reinbolt, chamber president. “The innovative event experience that we selected required collaboration through sponsorships and in-kind donations that were only possible due to the relationships we have with our members.”
Orrville City Schools provided access to the high school as the event venue. A casual, picnic-style meal was catered by Ferris, The Buehler’s Food Truck, and guests had Gerber’s chicken prepared on the grill along with a variety of sides. Indoor and outdoor dining options were available.
“I had so many comments on how much people loved this different format and that this was their first in-person event since the pandemic,” said Kristin Endsley, 2021 chamber board chair.
The awards program followed in the OHS Performing Arts Center with the program live-streamed to virtual event attendees.
“For those who did not see the virtual presentation, it was a treat to log in and be immediately entertained with the ‘Footloose’ dance montage,” said Glenn Mott, chamber board member, about the music video that opened the program.
Reinbolt expressed appreciation to The Chevy Network and Serpentini Orrville for being the Red Circle Sponsor and recognized the employees present for their role in the dealership’s recognition as the 2020 Business of Character Champion by Heartland Education Community last fall.
Black Circle event sponsors, Spherion Staffing and Recruiting and The J.M. Smucker Company, were acknowledged along with 11 Inner Circle Sponsors.
Mayor of Orrville Dave Handwerk presented the key to the city to Maribeth Burns. Burns was recognized as the 2020 Paul L. Powell Citizen of the Year for being a champion for the betterment of the community and those things that would enhance the life of the town.
“When one thinks of service in our community, one often thinks of Maribeth Burns,” said Jon Ritchie, superintendent of Orrville City Schools. “Maribeth embodies everything that makes a community like Orrville so very special.”
Sara Patton, executive director of the Wayne County Community Foundation, presented the Worthy Works Award to the Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center. The award was received by Lara Kiefer, the Advocacy Center’s executive director.
The Growing Healthy Habits Champion award was presented to Lexi Nussbaum by Dr. Andy Naumoff.
The final award of the evening was Community Impact, presented by Endsley on behalf of the OACC Board of Directors to Jarrett in recognition for its corporate commitment to making the community a better place to live and to work.
“We are grateful to have an employee base with such generous spirits and willingness to invest in bettering their communities,” said Allie Benter, human resources coordinator at Jarrett.
The evening concluded with remarks from Reinbolt on the transformational change that was made to the chamber’s membership investment structure. The new resource-based model resulted in an unprecedented membership renewal rate of 99% in 2021. OACC currently lists 340 businesses and organizations
as members.
The OACC will launch a marketing campaign in July featuring member testimonial videos about the chamber resources they value most. Visit www.orrvillechamber.com or follow orrvillechamber on social media.