Chamber notes 2020, looks forward to 2021
Eben Ezer staff named Citizens of the Year; Matt Gordon, Melody Christensen also recognized
Some of those most impacted by COVID-19 were honored as Citizens of the year, while two influential members of the community were noted with awards last week during the Brush Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.
During a majority of the year 2020, staf f at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center were faced with the realities of COVID-19, including their residents, or “neighbors” as they are known, being afflicted with the disease. Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center and its staff were named the Citizen of the Year.
“Despite going through a pandemic, we had a construction project going on with our Page 4,” said Shelly Grif fith, CEO of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center. “We’re excited to show the community what you helped to build.”
Matt Gordon, a longtime intern with the City of Brush, was named as the Spur of the Year. His ser vice to the city has ended, but the result of his contributions remain, Tom Hofmann said in the presentation, noting a variety of projects, boards and committees in which he ser ved.
“He has clearly made Brush a brighter place to live,” Hofmann said. “He brings new insight to any organization in which he is involved.”
Melody Christensen, formerly the executive director of the Brush Area Chamber of Commerce, was named the Volunteer of the Year. Specifically, her leadership in the “22 A Day” project in Brush, related to veteran suicide awareness, was noted.
She was unable to accept the award in person because she was being
installed in leadership of a veterans group at the same time, said Brush Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Theresa Leake.
“Since retiring, Melody has continued to assist the chamber of commerce where and when she could,” Leake said. “She was the driving force behind ’22 A Day’. They stood on the corner, waved flags and asked us to honk our horns for veterans. Ever y month, you could see her there.”
The evening marked the completion of Wes Cable’s term as president of the Brush Area Chamber of Commerce, along with board members Dan Scalise and John Sweenie.
“It was always a challenge, but a great challenge,” Cable said. “We want to join people together, to support businesses any way we can. It can be a challenge – especially in the past year that we had.”
He noted the retirement of Christensen in 2020, and the selection of Leake to continue the chamber’s mission.
“Theresa stepped into some big shoes,” Cable said. “She’s still tr ying to fit
into them, but that’s how it works.”
Suzanna Spears has been selected to follow Cable as president of the Brush Area Chamber of Commerce. She has been a Brush resident since 1996.
“This is going to be an awesome time,” Spears said. “I have seen some amazing changes in Brush. A lot of that is due to our Chamber of Commerce.”
Following a year in 2020 where difficulty existed in many projects the Chamber of Commerce supports, Cable announced plans to return many of their events in 2021.
Rick Keuroglian, assistant city administrator and community development director for the City of Brush, gave an update from the city on behalf of Mayor Rick Bain.
“We are leading with a large emphasis on economic development,” Keuroglian said. “It is a great time to be in Brush and watch it grow.”
That growth could include properties that could be annexed into the city, Keuroglian said.
“We’re also tr ying to protect our city with water,” he said. “Downtown is developing, and there are quite a few interested businesses.”
He specifically noted the Christmas project in downtown, traditionally a par tnership between businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the city.
“We’re tr ying to show our spirit downtown with that project, as well as others,” Keuroglian said.
In the annual report to chamber of commerce members it was announced that despite the impact of COVID-19, membership was steady in comparing year-over-year data.