The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce honored its award winners for 2020 at its annual meeting and dinner Thursday night.
Accepting the Exemplary Business Award for Futures Rehabilitation Centers, CEO Steve Morgan said that while the award was for pre-pandemic efforts, he felt the need to share some of the good that had come out of the past year.
“The outpouring of effort and support from multiple sources has enabled Futures to navigate through this past year. We are truly thankful for the contributions of so many. Our staff have been fantastic. Stepped up and stepped out of their typical responsibilities to do pretty much whatever it takes to get the job done. I’m very thankful and proud of our employees.”
While accepting the Community & Spirit Award with his wife Kristin, Tim Asinger of Kessel Construction acknowledged some community members who are no longer with us.
“There’s some of the best of the best of our community that aren’t here tonight, and one of those people is Dan Palmer. I don’t know if you’ve ever met a nicer guy and Dan Palmer’s laugh would have filled this room along with us tonight.
“Woody Woodruff, his wit would have filled the room with Woodiness. Thank you, I made that one up tonight.
“And Howard Fesenmeyer. I remember when I first met Howard Fesenmeyer he asked me ‘for the day, were you a credit? Or a debit?’ And I didn’t even know what the hell he was talking about, but I said ‘credit’ because it sounded better than ‘debit.’ But I was a credit, and I try to be a credit.”
The Director’s Award was given to the Kids and Cancer Benefit Run. Chamber Vice-President Barb Kervin explained why in one sentence.
“Through the generosity of the motorcycle run participants and the raffle tickets purchased, the Kids and Cancer Committee has donated over $500,000.”
Finally, the Legacy Award was given to former Pitt-Bradford Professor Dr. Steven Hardin, who recently retired to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
It was the Chamber’s first awards presentation since 2019; last year’s ceremony was cancelled due to the coronavirus.