AWARDS DINNER
Thursday, September 28, 2023
5-8PM
The NEW Center at NEOMED
Leaders from across Portage County gathered September 28, 2023 to recognize and celebrate some of Portage County's best and brightest.
Awards were given to nominees in the following areas: Community Hero, Community Improvement, Community Service, Employee of the Year, Health Initiative, and Youth Initiative.
The evening included entertainment, food, and networking.
Tickets were $50/person, $90/couple, or $500/table for eight (8) people and preferred seating.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets (REGISTRATION IS CLOSED)
Please call Todd Peetz at 330-297-3613 for more information, and see our list below for prior winners!
2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Community hero
Deseree Liddell | Ravenna - Deseree is the author of "The Higher You Climb, The Broader the View: From the Jim Crow South to a Thriving Northern Community." The book chronicles her journey from the Jim Crow South to Ravenna, where she became a community leader, and brought attention and resources to the historically underserved and predominantly black Skeels and McElrath communities in Ravenna Township. Portage Street in the Skeels neighborhood is being named Deseree Liddell Boulevard in her honor.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE & CELEBRATE THE OTHER NOMINEES IN THIS CATEGORY:
Gina Fischione | Streetsboro
Jonathan Floyd | Ravenna
Jordan Michael | Rootstown
Debbie Sunderland | Ravenna
Bruce Zuchowski | Portage County
Community improvement
Ravenna High School | Honors Civics Program - Under the leadership of teachers Mr. Matt Wunderle and Mr. Richard Sullivan, Ravenna High School created the district's first Honors Civics Program. Students in the institute recently partnered with Ravenna City Council, the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce, the Portage Historical Society, and Maple Grove Cemetery to create a pair of interactive walking tours that bring Ravenna's history to life. Tourists are invited to scan strategically-placed QR codes with their phones, which lead to reports on Ravenna's leaders, landmarks, and architecture curated by the students. Students also complete a semester-long externship program as a capstone to their senior year.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE & CELEBRATE THE OTHER NOMINEES IN THIS CATEGORY:
The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities | DD Pride Month
The City of Ravenna & Main Street Ravenna | Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA)
Community service
The Socially Responsible Sweatshop | Kent - The Socially Responsible Sweatshop repurposes scrap fabric into usable goods, which are then sold; all of the money garnered from the sales are used in Kent and surrounding communities to fight food insecurity. The non-profit organization also protects the environment by keeping thousands of pounds of linens out of landfills annually.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE & CELEBRATE THE OTHER NOMINEES IN THIS CATEGORY:
The Haven of Portage County | Ravenna
The Rootstown Historical Society
eMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Tim Whittlesey | Atwater Township - Tim is a person every employer dreams of having and many look up to. He is the Road Supervisor for Atwater Township; his daily tasks include normal road maintenance like cleaning ditches, patching, and plowing snow. Tim is also the head of the cemetery -- he not only helps maintain the cemetery but also handles most of the paperwork. Tim lost his right arm in a salt spreader accident, but there is nothing he can't or won't do. He is an inspiration because he never complains, and he is always willing to serve others.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE & CELEBRATE THE OTHER NOMINEES IN THIS CATEGORY:
MaryJo Cline | AMETEK
Crystal Hickman | Windham Schools
Arasin Hughes | Main Street Ravenna
John Vennetti | The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD)
Health initiative
Food for Life Market | University Hospitals Portage Medical Center - The Food for Life Market aims to address food insecurity in our county by providing fresh produce, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products with counseling support from a registered dietitian to the patients of UH Portage Medical Center. In 2022, the Market served an average of 244 patients and their families every month. Patients receive guidance from a dietitian at every visit, and healthy recipes and other community resources to improve their health conditions through proper eating habits.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE & CELEBRATE THE OTHER NOMINEE IN THIS CATEGORY:
Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD)
Youth initiative
Za'Nya Henderson | Windham High School - Za'Nya is a senior at Windham High School. In the fall of 2021, she approached her teacher with the hopes of finding ways to bring in people whose differences make the world better. Za'Nya wanted students to see people who looked like them and who looked different than them. She brought in people who visited Africa, work for PayPal and LinkedIn, work with the deaf community, are involved in efforts to support Ukrainian citizens, are veterans, and are college advisors. Za'Nya's efforts have helped students pick majors, network with people all over the country, and see themselves represented in all aspects. She also organized a youth chapter of the NAACP, where she serves as the group's president. Over 50 students are involved in the group, and monthly speakers are now part of the group's agenda. Za'Nya is determined to make the world better and is the definition of a good citizen.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE & CELEBRATE THE OTHER NOMINEES IN THIS CATEGORY:
Cub Scout Pack 3551 | Ravenna
Main Street Ravenna | Youth Community Star
Running Rockets | Streetsboro
GETTING THERE
Located at the NEW Center at NEOMED
4211 OH-44 Rootstown, OH 44272
2022 Winners
Community Hero Award - Edie Benner
Community Improvement Award - Mila's Hope and Rowyn's Dreams Playground
Community Service Award - Open Arms Adoptions
Economic Development Award - Buckeye Quality Meats
Health Initiative Award - CIT Coordinator & Mental Health Outreach, Mental Health & Recovery Board and Coleman Health Services
Youth Initiative Award - Mission: Hope & Housing, Theodore Roosevelt High School DECA Project
2021 Winners
Community Improvement Award - Restoration 44 Coffee Shop
Community Service Award - Portage CARES Community Food and Supplies Drive
Economic Improvement Award - Independence of Portage County New Operations Center
Health Initiative Award - Children's Advantage Family Center
Pandemic Initiative Award - Portage County Health District
Youth Initiative Award - Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program
Community Hero Award - Jane Palmstrom
2019 Winners
Best Economic Development Initiative - Ravenna7
Best Community Service Initiative - Raven Packs
Best Cultural Arts Initiative - THRIVE
Best Healthy Communities Initiative - HOPE Program
Best Student Initiative - Streetsboro Community Connect
Community Hero - Leon Jankowski
2018 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Chestnut Commerce Center, Ravenna Facility Renovation
Best Community Service Project - Passages, Fatherhood Celebration
Best Arts and Culture Event - Portage County Randolph Fair
Best Health Initiative - Drug Prevention Campaign, Portage Substance Abuse Community Coalition
Most Engaging High School - Crestwood High School, Junior-Senior Seminar
Community Hero - Direct Support Professionals, Independence, Inc.
2017 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Sirna & Sons, Ravenna Facility Expansion
Best Community Service Project - Duma Meats, Kansas Wildfire Relief Effort
Best Arts and Culture Event - Ravenna Art On Main
Best Health Initiative - NEOMED Free Clinic
Most Engaging High School - Kent Roosevelt High School, Summer English-As-Second-Language Program
Community Hero - Scott Snyder, Hero's Rock
2016 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Pyrotek (Metaullics Division), Aurora Manufacturing Facility
Best Community Service Project - Kent Brunch Bunch Charity Auction
Best Arts and Culture Event - Ohio Chautauqua, Brimfield Historical Society
Best Health Initiative - Project DAWN, Portage County Health District / Mental Health & Recovery Board
Most Engaging High School - Field High School Little Free Library
Community Hero - Paul Ferder, Kent Mold & Manufacturing
2015 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - NEOMED Education and Wellness Center
Best Community Service Project - Health Professions Affinity Community (HPAC)
Best Arts and Culture Event - Kent Heritage Festival
Best Health Initiative - Portage County Safety Council
Most Engaging High School - Aurora High School Service Learning Project
Community Hero - Patti Harjung, Brimfield Police Department
2014 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Catacel Corporation
Best Community Service Project - Root House
Best Arts and Culture Event - Mantua Art on the Hill
Best Health Initiative - Ravenna City Schools Personal Improvement Program
Most Engaging High School - Aurora High School Independent Learning Experience
Community Hero - Kathleen Schuman, City of Streetsboro