Not even severe weather warnings, and a reported tornado could dampen last week’s Olney Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Excellence. On Thursday, June 13, several dozen members and guests honored the winners and celebrated a year of successful activities at the annual Awards and Installation Dinner.
Scholarship
Each year, the Chamber awards $1000 Scholarships to High School Seniors living in the Greater Olney-Sandy Spring area. The number of awards is the direct result of amount of donations received from Chamber members and friends. Over two dozen applications from six different schools were reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. After considerable deliberation about the very deserving candidates, four Sherwood High School students were selected to receive anOlney Chamber of Commerce$1,000Scholarship. The Committee was chaired by Trevor Waddington (Christ Episcopal School). Other members were Jane DiGirolamo (Our Lady of Good Counsel), Dawn Griffith (Sandy Spring Friends School), Judy Reif (Sherwood) and Tom Stevens (St. John’s Episcopal School). Trevor presented the awards to Adam Berger, Melissa Chaput, David Mazzeo II, and Emily Rowe.
Business Person of the Year
Selected by the votes of the Chamber’s general membership, Toni Davis was honored as the Chamber’s 2013 Business Person of the Year. She was recognized for her enthusiasm during her first year as a Chamber Board member, her tireless efforts as a co-chair of the Greater Olney-Sandy Spring Area ATHENA Award, and her dedicated activities toward improving the health and care of area senior citizens. There to share the excitement were her family, along with many of her Brooke Grove Retirement Village colleagues.
Partners in Business
Richard Bienvenue - Benny to all who know him - was joined at the podium by four of his program participants as Our House was presented the 2013 Partners in Business Award. For many years, Our House has partnered with the Chamber, and other local organizations, in preparing for, operating and wrapping up their major activities. They have integrated with the community and become part of its success. All in attendance enthusiastically applauded their selection. Having the young men attend was sponsored by the Chamber’s Executive Director and Board members Ellen Coleman, Shannon Gorman, and Pam Spears. President’s Award
After 15 years of dedicated service to the Olney Chamber of Commerce, is was no mystery that Trevor selected Pam Spears for this year’s President’s Award. Pam is concluding her long run on the Chamber Board, which included a pair of two-year terms as President. Her enthusiasm, planning ability and organizational skills were invaluable to the Chamber’s continued viability and growth. Her direct Board involvement is ending, but she will remain an active member, continuing to volunteer her time and energy to our activities. Special Recognition
Commander John Damskey of Montgomery County’s 4th Police District received a Special Recognition Award for his organization’s support of our area at the Olney Police Satellite Station. Three of his officers joined him for the event, furthering the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Commander Damskey then officiated the Installation of the 2013-14 Chamber Board of Directors. Officers are Trevor Waddington, Christ Episcopal School - President, Joe Buffington, RE/MAX Realty Centre - Vice president, Shannon Gorman, Gorman’s Garments & Gear - Secretary, and Jon Turgel, Sandy spring Bank - Treasurer. The At Large positions are filled by Alison Bawek (Studio of Ballet Arts), Benny Bienvenue (Our House), Valle Bonhag (Carl M. Freeman Companies), Ellen Coleman (RE/MAX Realty), Toni Davis (Brooke Grove Retirement Village), Dawn Griffith (Sandy spring Friends School), Erik Havens (Digital industry), and Marc Rosendorf, Esq. (The Law Offices of Marc Rosendorf).
Also recognized were the generous donors to the 2013 Chamber Scholarship Fund:
Platinum Level ($500 Donation) Brooke Grove Foundation; Fletcher’s Service Center; Leads2Share; RE/MAX Realty Centre
Gold Level ($250 Donation) Brookeville Academy/Town of Brookeville; Robert P. Fields, MD; Minahan Orthodontics; Trevor Waddington
Silver Level ($100 Donation) Berrend Dance; Studio Ellen Coleman, RE/MAX Realty; David D. Eskow, DDS; David Higgins, MD; JF Plumbing; Metro Metro & Associates; Moss Chiropractic; Olney Boys & Girls Community Association; Pamela Spears; Richard U. Mattson, DMD
Bronze Level ($1 - $99 Donation) Austin Wealth Management; Fekete Engineering; Gorman’s Garments & Gear; Paula Kahla, RE/MAX Realty; Innovative Services
The Olney Chamber of Commerce wants to offer sincere thanks to Norbeck Country Club for hosting its Celebration of Excellence, providing its usual delicious food and outstanding service. In addition, we thank Severio Grimaldi of Innovative Solutions for photographing the proceedings, and Quinter Design for creating the programs and certificates. And we especially thank all the Chamber’s members for their continued support of our mission, programs and events.
