Chamber to present civic awards

Annual dinner slated for April 24

Three Civil Awards recipients will be honored at the 73th annual dinner of the Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce on April 24 at the Downingtown Country Club.

Virginia “Ginny” Pierce is the 2018 Citizen of the Year; the Downingtown Country Club is the 2018 Business of the Year and the Housing Partnership of Chester County is the 2018 Community Organization/NonProfit of the Year.

To obtain tickets, go to www.dtrcc.com or contact Chamber Executive Director Steve Plaugher at 610269-1523 or splaugher@ dtrcc.com. The cost is $65 per person. The event at the country club, 85 Country Club Drive, Downingtown, begins at 5:00 p.m.

Pierce is a lifelong resident of Downingtown who has contributed immeasurably to the success and welfare of our community for decades, through delivering meals to the elderly and infirm through the Meals on Wheels program; spearheading upkeep and fundraising for the Downingtown Log House; serving on the Borough Historical Commission; Coordinating Log House “Santa” each year for the children; caretaker for the Kerr Park Kiosk and Gazebo; leading renovation efforts at Marinelli Park and developing a Neighborhood Watch Pro-

gram.

The Downingtown Country Club has made a significant commitment in commercial growth with facility and golf course expansion efforts, along with service to the community. A member of the country club serves on the Board of Directors of the Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the club hosts numerous community events and functions.

The Downingtown Country Club’s roots began as the Downingtown Motor Inn built in the early 1960’s. It was built on the former Ashbridge Farm by Tabas Enterprises in the late 1950’s. It was a grand resort featuring hotel rooms, two swimming pools, restaurants, ballrooms, and outdoor patios.

Today the site flourishes as The Downingtown Country Club, owned by legendry Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Ron Jaworksi. The club features subtle greens, dramatically shaped bunkers, and open, gently rolling fairways, reflecting many of the great features of classic Philadelphia golf courses. Downingtown Country Club also offers a pro shop, a full-service restaurant and bar, Seven Tap Tavern, along with world class wedding, corporate and social event facilities.

The Housing Partnership of Chester County has made a significant impact to the Downingtown Thorndale community and throughout Chester County by striving to improve the quality of life for low-to-moderate income people of Chester County, by providing the ability to acquire and maintain decent affordable housing.

Since 1988, the Housing Partnership of Chester County has been providing essentials for successful home ownership to residents in Chester County, working to improve housing and the quality of life in our community through effective programs and dedicated staff.

Celebrating 30 years of service this year, the Housing Partnership of Chester County has coordinated 400 settlements for first time home buyers representing $3 million in financial assistance, completed $5.59 million in repairs for home owners in Chester County and over 500 weatherization and home maintenance projects for Senior Citizens at a cost of $4.3 million. In addition, the Housing Partnership has made 160 homes handicap accessible utilizing $2.06 million in grant funding, and helped approximately 18,000 clients improve their credit worthiness, along with conducting pre-purchase workshops for more than 4,500 potential first time home buyers.

“Each year the Chamber receives many worthy nominations for our awards. This year was no exception. Our Nomination Committee spent countless hours reviewing applications, and these three recipients stood-out above the rest,” said Michael Glover, Chamber President.

Established in 1945, the Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce was formed to provide leadership in the business community to ensure continuing economic prosperity. In present day, the Chamber strives in setting the standard for excellence in member service by advancing the civic, economic and business interests of the Downingtown-Thorndale region, by promoting commerce, education and employment.