March 2, 2018 at 4:17 a.m.
Runyon, FMSC earn top honors
Runyon, FMSC earn top honors
Copyright 2018, The Commercial Review
All Rights Reserved
You can make an impact at any age.
Thursday evening’s Jay County Community Awards ceremony was a celebration of individuals, groups and businesses who make an difference in their community, from those who have been involved for decades to those who are just starting their lives of civic involvement.
The final two awards of the evening highlighted those aspects, with longtime government and community leader Jane Ann Runyon winning the Lifetime Achievement Award while a group of 18 and 19 year olds who made up Jay County High School National Honor Society’s Feed My Starving Children Committee were honored collectively as Citizen of the Year.
Other honorees during the Jay County Chamber of Commerce event included Baird-Freeman Funeral Home as Business of the Year; FCC (Indiana) as Industry of the Year; Youth Service Bureau as Not-For-Profit of the Year; Audrey Muhlenkamp as Young Professional of the Year; Jay County Antique Mall as Innovator of the Year; Glass Days Committee as winner of the Dunkirk Community Commitment Award; and Joe Vinson as winner of the inaugural Small Community Commitment Award.
“You’re wonderful people,” said WPGW’s Rob Weaver, who served as master of ceremonies. “I’m glad that you could participate in such a wonderful event … as we celebrate our community and the great things that happen here in Jay County.”
Runyon, 70, executive director of United Way of Jay County, was honored for her vast array of accomplishments and community service over the years. Prior to becoming leader of the United Way in 2009, she served 16 years as Jay County Circuit Court Clerk and eight years as county auditor in addition to being treasurer of the Jay County Republicans.
She was a founding member of Jay County’s chapter of the Cincinnatus League, has served on the John Jay Center for Learning and Jay-Randolph Developmental Services boards, helped with the fundraising effort for Portland Water Park and has been part of the Jay County Promise program that seeks to encourage families to create college savings accounts for local children. She is also active in harness racing as a member of Jayland Trotting Association.
Runyon expressed amazement about all of the accomplishments of the finalists who had been honored throughout the night.
“It’s like, wow,” she said. “We’ve got a wonderful, wonderful place to live, and it’s been a privilege to be able to work with so many of you on so many different things for the community.”
The Feed My Starving Children Committee — it was made up of 2017 Jay County High School graduates Alli Campbell, Katie Carpenter, Jacob Geesaman, Carly Grieshop, Samantha Link, Taylor Homan, Audrey Shreve, Maddie Strausburg, Kelsie Walter and Kiara Walter under the guidance of advisor Chrissy Krieg — was honored for its efforts that led to the first MobilePack event held in the county.
The students worked together to raise more than $30,000, which allowed them to host the MobilePack during which nearly 130,000 meals were packed in a single day and then sent to some of the most impoverished areas of the world. They achieved those goals while working on smaller community service projects throughout the 2016-17 school year.
“Thank you so much,” said Krieg. “I can’t believe that we were even nominated. …
“But these kids worked really hard for something they were very passionate about … They spent their entire senior year of high school doing this.”
Of the 10 members of the committee, all of whom are now college freshmen, nine were in attendance for Thursday’s ceremony.
“It was just a huge honor to be nominated,” added Homan. “We can’t thank you guys enough for all the support from the community. … We’re so thankful to be able to feed so many children and to be able to make a difference.”
“This leadership team worked all senior year to make this goal, but we could not have done it without you guys,” added Campbell. “It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”
Baird-Freeman, which has been in operation for more than 120 years, was honored as Business of the Year for providing round-the-clock support to families in need of funeral services. The downtown Portland business, with Dave Teeter at the helm, also recently completed an exterior renovation project that included a new brick facade.
Industry of the Year FCC, the county’s largest employer with a workforce of more than 800, produces clutch assemblies for a list of automobile manufacturers. It ships more than 8.7 million parts per year, and recently completed a $7.5-million expansion to its facility at the corner of Industrial Park Drive and Franklin Street in Portland.
Youth Service Bureau, led by Reda Theurer-Miller, is in its 40th year providing emergency care to young people who are removed from their homes. It was honored for being a leader in advocating for youth and developing services to meet underserved needs.
Muhlenkamp, 35, earned the young professional award for her efforts both as a commodity manager at POET Biorefining and owner and operator of The Tipsy Glass winery. She started the winery in early 2017 and received seven medals at last year’s Indy International Wine Competition.
Jay County Antique Mall owners Brad and Pat Daniels were honored for their efforts to revitalize what had been a fading business. It now has all of its vendor spaces booked, and the west end of the building has been transformed into the thriving Jay County Event Center.
The Glass Days Committee was honored for its commitment to Dunkirk for its efforts in organizing the annual festival, which will run from May 30 to June 2 this year. The event has grown in recent years with amusement rides, food, free entertainment, pageants, a parade and glass-blowing demonstrations.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Cindy Shepherd, who chairs the committee and was also a finalist for the Dunkirk Community Commitment Award as an individual. “We’re very excited about what Glass Days has become. We have worked so hard.
“To thank everybody that helps us would be impossible. … This is a victory of all of Dunkirk, not just Glass Days.”
Vinson became the first winner of the Small Community Commitment Award for his advocacy for Pennville. He is involved in the town’s Lions Club, leads its summer soccer league, serves as president of the Norman Vinson Memorial Committee in honor of his father and was a leader of the Save Our Schools group.
Other finalists for Thursday’s awards were: Bob Lyons and Jim Bob McEwen (lifetime achievement); Nathan Springer and Vicki Tague (citizen); Milestone Contractors and The Commercial Review (business); Ardagh Group and Dayton Progress Corporation (industry); Jay County Cancer Society and Jay County Humane Society (not-for-profit); Drew Houck and Ray Cooney (young professional); Chelsea Grady/765 Rocks! and John Jay Center for Learning (innovator); Connie Retter and Cindy Shepherd (Dunkirk); and Kathy Bird-Crow and Connie Southworth (small community).
All Rights Reserved
You can make an impact at any age.
Thursday evening’s Jay County Community Awards ceremony was a celebration of individuals, groups and businesses who make an difference in their community, from those who have been involved for decades to those who are just starting their lives of civic involvement.
The final two awards of the evening highlighted those aspects, with longtime government and community leader Jane Ann Runyon winning the Lifetime Achievement Award while a group of 18 and 19 year olds who made up Jay County High School National Honor Society’s Feed My Starving Children Committee were honored collectively as Citizen of the Year.
Other honorees during the Jay County Chamber of Commerce event included Baird-Freeman Funeral Home as Business of the Year; FCC (Indiana) as Industry of the Year; Youth Service Bureau as Not-For-Profit of the Year; Audrey Muhlenkamp as Young Professional of the Year; Jay County Antique Mall as Innovator of the Year; Glass Days Committee as winner of the Dunkirk Community Commitment Award; and Joe Vinson as winner of the inaugural Small Community Commitment Award.
“You’re wonderful people,” said WPGW’s Rob Weaver, who served as master of ceremonies. “I’m glad that you could participate in such a wonderful event … as we celebrate our community and the great things that happen here in Jay County.”
Runyon, 70, executive director of United Way of Jay County, was honored for her vast array of accomplishments and community service over the years. Prior to becoming leader of the United Way in 2009, she served 16 years as Jay County Circuit Court Clerk and eight years as county auditor in addition to being treasurer of the Jay County Republicans.
She was a founding member of Jay County’s chapter of the Cincinnatus League, has served on the John Jay Center for Learning and Jay-Randolph Developmental Services boards, helped with the fundraising effort for Portland Water Park and has been part of the Jay County Promise program that seeks to encourage families to create college savings accounts for local children. She is also active in harness racing as a member of Jayland Trotting Association.
Runyon expressed amazement about all of the accomplishments of the finalists who had been honored throughout the night.
“It’s like, wow,” she said. “We’ve got a wonderful, wonderful place to live, and it’s been a privilege to be able to work with so many of you on so many different things for the community.”
The Feed My Starving Children Committee — it was made up of 2017 Jay County High School graduates Alli Campbell, Katie Carpenter, Jacob Geesaman, Carly Grieshop, Samantha Link, Taylor Homan, Audrey Shreve, Maddie Strausburg, Kelsie Walter and Kiara Walter under the guidance of advisor Chrissy Krieg — was honored for its efforts that led to the first MobilePack event held in the county.
The students worked together to raise more than $30,000, which allowed them to host the MobilePack during which nearly 130,000 meals were packed in a single day and then sent to some of the most impoverished areas of the world. They achieved those goals while working on smaller community service projects throughout the 2016-17 school year.
“Thank you so much,” said Krieg. “I can’t believe that we were even nominated. …
“But these kids worked really hard for something they were very passionate about … They spent their entire senior year of high school doing this.”
Of the 10 members of the committee, all of whom are now college freshmen, nine were in attendance for Thursday’s ceremony.
“It was just a huge honor to be nominated,” added Homan. “We can’t thank you guys enough for all the support from the community. … We’re so thankful to be able to feed so many children and to be able to make a difference.”
“This leadership team worked all senior year to make this goal, but we could not have done it without you guys,” added Campbell. “It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”
Baird-Freeman, which has been in operation for more than 120 years, was honored as Business of the Year for providing round-the-clock support to families in need of funeral services. The downtown Portland business, with Dave Teeter at the helm, also recently completed an exterior renovation project that included a new brick facade.
Industry of the Year FCC, the county’s largest employer with a workforce of more than 800, produces clutch assemblies for a list of automobile manufacturers. It ships more than 8.7 million parts per year, and recently completed a $7.5-million expansion to its facility at the corner of Industrial Park Drive and Franklin Street in Portland.
Youth Service Bureau, led by Reda Theurer-Miller, is in its 40th year providing emergency care to young people who are removed from their homes. It was honored for being a leader in advocating for youth and developing services to meet underserved needs.
Muhlenkamp, 35, earned the young professional award for her efforts both as a commodity manager at POET Biorefining and owner and operator of The Tipsy Glass winery. She started the winery in early 2017 and received seven medals at last year’s Indy International Wine Competition.
Jay County Antique Mall owners Brad and Pat Daniels were honored for their efforts to revitalize what had been a fading business. It now has all of its vendor spaces booked, and the west end of the building has been transformed into the thriving Jay County Event Center.
The Glass Days Committee was honored for its commitment to Dunkirk for its efforts in organizing the annual festival, which will run from May 30 to June 2 this year. The event has grown in recent years with amusement rides, food, free entertainment, pageants, a parade and glass-blowing demonstrations.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Cindy Shepherd, who chairs the committee and was also a finalist for the Dunkirk Community Commitment Award as an individual. “We’re very excited about what Glass Days has become. We have worked so hard.
“To thank everybody that helps us would be impossible. … This is a victory of all of Dunkirk, not just Glass Days.”
Vinson became the first winner of the Small Community Commitment Award for his advocacy for Pennville. He is involved in the town’s Lions Club, leads its summer soccer league, serves as president of the Norman Vinson Memorial Committee in honor of his father and was a leader of the Save Our Schools group.
Other finalists for Thursday’s awards were: Bob Lyons and Jim Bob McEwen (lifetime achievement); Nathan Springer and Vicki Tague (citizen); Milestone Contractors and The Commercial Review (business); Ardagh Group and Dayton Progress Corporation (industry); Jay County Cancer Society and Jay County Humane Society (not-for-profit); Drew Houck and Ray Cooney (young professional); Chelsea Grady/765 Rocks! and John Jay Center for Learning (innovator); Connie Retter and Cindy Shepherd (Dunkirk); and Kathy Bird-Crow and Connie Southworth (small community).
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