Citizen of the Year honored at annual gala
BOYERTOWN » More than 120 people gathered on Saturday, April 21, to honor Boyertown’s Citizen of the Year, Dennis Hafer.
Hosted by the Boyertown Lions Club, Boyertown Rotary Club and Build a Better Boyertown, the 64th annual gala was held at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.
Net proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Vision and Resource Center of Berks County (formerly the Berks County Association for the blind).
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from previous Citizen of the Year recipient Jim Davidheiser. Next, the Pledge of Allegiance was followed by an invocation from The Rev. Bob Machamer of St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Special guest speakers included Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach and state Rep. David Maloney.
Gilbertsville Fire Company’s Mckenna Powanda spoke about Outstanding First Responder Jeremy Kokonos.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Kokonos, became a Gilbertsville Fire Company member 2014. He then enlisted in the Army and graduated Basic Training as a combat medic. Kokonos was late to the event due to a raging fire behind Greshville Inn.
In his Outstanding
High School Senior award speech, 18-year-old Jerry Kapp thanked his coach, teachers and parents.
Celebrating 50 years as a registered Girl Scout, Joan Hannahoe, recognized as Outstanding Mentor, is an active volunteer in the Boyertown area.
Pat Erb and Kristie Springman accepted a Special Recognition Award for
Brendan’s Band.
After Brendan Traylor lost his battle with addiction in 2014, Erb, who is Traylor’s grandmother, and Springman, who is Traylor’s mother, began Brendan’s Band as a way to ensure Traylor’s name would be remembered. But, as Erb stated, “it started about Brendan but it became about the community.”
Brendan’s Band is a non profit group dedicated to spreading addiction and recovery information and resources.
Following Keynote speaker Sandy Moser, Mark Malizzi presented the Citizen of the Year plaque to Hafer.
Raised on a farm, Lions Club member Dennis Hafer spoke about living
in the small Bally community. He discussed past jobs and organizations where he learned the things that made him the man is is today.
“I’ve done nothing special. I have just been part of organizations that are very special,” Hafer said. “I accept this award on behalf of them.”
Hafer thanked his wife Audrey and received a
standing ovation.
In his final comments, to sum up the night, Jim Davidheiser quoted Nelson Mandela, “There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”