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October and early November is always a busy time of year. There are numerous events and dinners that happen just about every week.
They are put on by organizations that serve many segments of the community, but they all share a common goal -- and that’s bringing area residents together to enjoy time with each other, celebrate accomplishments and offer recognition.
Whether it was the Taste of Jefferson County, which benefits the United Way of Jefferson County; chamber of commerce banquets; the dedication of the renovated fellowship hall at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton; a mini-food festival presented by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Steubenville; or the annual celebration of the work done by Valley Hospice, there have plenty of opportunities to bring area residents together.
Here are just a few:
• Joe Wallace is a busy person at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He wears two hats at the school -- he serves as director of community relations and as the coach of the mens basketball team. Before directing the Barons to a good start on their season, he offered opening remarks when the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce held its 118th-annual meeting and awards dinner on Oct. 28.
Held in the Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. John Paul VI Conference Center on the university’s campus, the dinner attracted more than 300 people from across the region.
“That’s unbelievable -- all of the leaders in the community are together for this evening,” Wallace said.
He added that he truly wanted everyone to know that they always are welcome on the school’s campus.
“The university, as you can see, continues to grow, and we are happy to host this and be part of the chamber,” Wallace added.
That the chamber has been able to remain vibrant for 118 years shows that it continues to serve the area. Few businesses or organizations in the region -- or the state or the nation -- can say they have been a part of their community for more than a century. That only happens because the chamber’s members show a commitment to every business and every person they serve. It includes more than 500 members.
“Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate not only the accomplishments of our chamber but, more important, the businesses, organizations and individuals who make Jefferson County a special place to live, work and do business,” said Emily Byers, the chamber’s president.
“During the past year, our chamber has continued to grow, evolve and find new ways to serve our members, from creating opportunities for businesses to connect and build relationships to supporting workforce development, celebrating new businesses and advocating for a strong business community, everything we do begins with you, our members.”
Recognized during the evening, which featured Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel as the keynote speaker, were Ann Quillen, who received the community impact award; Tom Timmons, who received the lifetime achievement award; Olivia “Libby” Pence, who was named the young professional of the year, and Jessica Elias was named the chamber ambassador of the year.
• Recognition, reflection and bringing people together also were important components of the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce’s dinner held Wednesday at the St. Francis Center in Follansbee.
“While we will be presenting several awards, I want everyone to remember something important -- the true purpose of tonight is not to announce one winner in each category. It is to introduce you to these incredible businesses, organizations and individuals who have made a difference right here in Brooke County. Every nominee has a story, every nominee makes an impact and every nominee deserves your appreciation,” said Eric Fithyan, the volunteer president of the 128-member organization.
“Tonight, we encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy yourself and, most importantly, meet someone you didn’t already know in this room,” he added. “You never know -- a simple conversation, a connection, might lead to your next business connection, a friendship or a leadership opportunity.”
Receiving special recognition was John Panza, who at 105 years of age, is West Virginia’s oldest living veteran of World War II. Laurie Labishak was named citizen of the year, Marc Chernenko received the lifetime achievement award, Northern Panhandle Quail Forever was the nonprofit of the year, Brianne Bates was the young professional of the year, Fuscardo Family Urgent Care was the new business of the year and Screwy Louie’s was the business of the year.
The organization was formed a couple of years ago through the merger of the Follansbee and Wellsburg chambers of commerce. It has no paid staff -- leadership is a completely volunteer effort.
“We put our resources back into our members,” Fithyan said. “We wanted our membership to see the value in the chamber of commerce, not simply through a membership certificate or annual events, but for real opportunities, for visibility in promotion and for networking opportunities.
“Behind all of our laughter and celebration and events is a serious commitment to helping our business community,” he added.
• On Nov. 7, Valley Hospice celebrated its 41 years of service to the community with its annual dueling pianos event at the St. Florian Event Center. The theme of the evening was Under the Sea, and it offered the chance to thank the community for its continued support and to recognize this year’s visionary award honorees.
“As a nurse and now as CEO, I’ve seen what your generosity means to the people we serve,” Andrea Hale said during the program. “It means that a family has someone to call when they are frightened. It means comfort when symptoms become overwhelming. And it helps sustain our care centers, where patients and families can find care and support during some of their hardest days. You help make that possible, and I hope you know how much it means to each and every one of us.”
First Westminster Presbyterian Church and Giulio Cappelletti were this year’s honorees.
Hale thanked the church and it pastor, the Rev. Jason Elliott, for stepping up to make their space available to the organization after the hospice’s headquarters in Rayland suffered extensive water damage when its fire suppression system malfunctioned.
“Their kindness is something we will always remember,” Hale said.
For decades, his work with the organization’s employee assistance program has been essential to help employees process, heal and return to the bedside with strength and clarity.
“The work of hospice is sacred, and it can be heavy,” Hale said. “Our employees give so much of themselves, mind, body and spirit, each and every day to our patients and families, and they need someone they can turn to. For decades, Giulio has been that person.”
There are a lot of good things happening in our community, and a lot of good people whose work ensures that continues to happen. Their efforts continue to set an example for others to follow.
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is senior writer for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. He is a former board member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.)