The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Chamber honors 2019 award winners
The Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce recently announced two special award recipients for 2019.
Conway Land Title has been named Business of the Year and The Perry Center of Lake County was honored with the Beacon Award.
Criteria for the Business of the Year award is stated as a business or industry which devotes time, money, resources and efforts back to the community, operates a successful business and promotes business development in the Eastern Lake County area.
The chamber noted that Conway Land Title, located in Painesville, has been a longtime supporter of several groups throughout Lake County, including the Downtown Painesville Organization, Painesville City Local Schools, Painesville Community Improvement Corporation, The Western Reserve Junior League, Painesville Rotary and others.
Neil and Maureen Conway serve as president and vice-president of the business, respectively.
The couple took over the operation, which was initiated by Neil’s father in 1956, during the 1980s.
Their active participation in community endeavors has been ongoing since that time.
“It’s just something we’ve always done. We believe in it,” Maureen said. “You just keep going and it makes the world a better place. …I love Painesville. I consider it like an undiscovered gem. Everyone is working so hard. It’s a wonderfully diverse community that deserves to thrive. There’s so much history and great people.”
Regarding the award, Neil said that he and his wife are “totally flattered” and that it’s nice to be appreciated by a great chamber with an enthusiasm that is contagious.
As the recipient of the Beacon Award, the Perry Center of Lake County is being recognized for exhibiting extraordinary commitment and achieving positive results within the Eastern Lake County communities.
While in operation for 30 years the Perry Center has lived by their mission “to provide help to those families and individuals in need within the Perry Community,” according to information from the chamber.
Operated strictly by volunteers, the center collects, organizes and helps with food and other necessary items for the less fortunate in the Perry area.
Between October 2015 and September 2016 about 850 families were assisted. During various holidays needy resident are provided with turkeys, hams and gifts. The organization has also arranged to give bicycles to deserving children and sent many to summer camps.
As part of their Pirate Power Pack Program for elementary school students, they fill backpacks with three dinners, two lunches and two breakfasts on Fridays during the school year.
The weekend supply of nutritious food replaces the school meals that children miss during their weekend or extended breaks from school.
Administrator Carol Martin said that receiving the award for the center’s work is an honor.
“We’re all volunteers there,” she said.
“It’s great for those volunteering to get recognition. It’s good to make the community aware of us, especially those who are in need.”
Individuals and families seeking help from the center must live, work or attend church in Perry.
In addition to aiding the disadvantaged, Martin said the center also provides an opportunity for the community to help.
“We have seven local churches that provide funding and donations as well as companies, and the Perry Schools are a big contributor,” she said. “We’re also affiliated with the Salvation Army.”
Linda Reed, Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, said “all of our winners are the true definition of what it means to be a silent server. They all truly care and have proven that by their dedication and thoughtfulness.”
A luncheon honoring Conway Land Title and the Perry Center of Lake County will take place on Jan. 25 at Painesville Township Park.
“It’s just something we’ve always done. We believe in it. You just keep going and it makes the world a better place. … I love Painesville. I consider it like an undiscovered gem. Everyone is working so hard. It’s a wonderfully diverse community that deserves to thrive. There’s so much history and great people.” — Maureen Conway of Conway Land Title