Chamber sets stage for annual Awards dinner

Berneta Gable, third from left, was the winner of the prestigious Athena Award at the 2022 Bedford County Chamber Awards Dinner. Pictured left to right are Annette Godissart, Stephanie Martz, Gable, Katie Fink, Dianna Baker, Courtney Leydig and Leigh Shank. This year’s dinner and presentation will be held on September 21.

The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the business and individuals to be honored during the 2023 Award Celebration: Thursday, September 21st at the Bedford County Airport.

Seventeen awards will be presented to outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals of the Bedford County region, recognizing a variety of accomplishments.

Read to Feed Bookstore will receive the prestigious John Anderson Award, recognizing a considerable contribution to the betterment of Bedford County. The used bookstore inside the Woodbury Area Community Center is staffed solely by volunteers, with proceeds benefiting the Northern Bedford Food Pantry.

The Chamber will present the President’s Award to the Everett Lions Club, celebrating the completion of their Medal of Honor Statue Project. The award is given for special projects, with the last recipients being the companies who collaborated on the Silver Lining Drive-In in 2020.

Excellence in business awards will be presented to Earp’s Barber Shop, Fisher’s Country Store and Wessel & Company CPA’s in the small, medium and large categories.

The Chamber recognizes specific achievements in several areas including Volunteer of the Year, which will be presented to Troy and Susie Mickle, Advisors of the Junior Fair Board. Jus-Den Farm will receive the Excellence in Agribusiness Award, while M&T Bank will be honored for Employer Community Service. The Innovation Award will be presented to Aesthetics by Kell for the development of their skin care line and launch of the area’s first refillery, while Weaver’s Sanitation will be recognized for the dramatic and ongoing improvements to their Breezewood facilities.

The county’s enthusiasm for the outdoors will be reflected in two awards, with the Reynoldsdale Fish Hatchery set to receive the Excellence in Education Award, while Juniata Trading Co. takes home the Heritage Preservation Award.

The Chamber will partner with BCDA to present the Excellence in Economic Development Award to Mission Critical Solutions; and the Bedford County Visitors Bureau to recognize the county’s Orchards with the Excellence in Tourism Award. Community Connections Award, selected in partnership with the Bedford County Transition Council will be presented to Long’s Outpost; Tina Imes will receive the Servant Leadership Award as a graduate of Leadership Bedford County.

“The Chamber’s Annual Dinner is the signature celebration of our diverse and outstanding business community,” said President-CEO Kellie Goodman Shaffer. “As you can see, this year’s honorees represent a wide variety of businesses and community leaders from all corners of the county, and we can’t wait to celebrate their many accomplishments.”

The theme of the evening will be All Aboard the Bedford County Business Express, with a nod to the elegance and mystery of 1920’s-30’s train excursions, and featuring special surprises planned by the Bedford County Players and other event partners. But the biggest mystery of the night will be the recipient of the prestigious Athena Award, which will be announced as the finale of the awards program.

Sponsorships & registrations for the celebration are limited, so those wishing to attend should register as soon as possible; this event traditionally sells out. Corporate sponsorships and program ads are also available to promote local businesses and congratulate the honorees. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 814-623-2233 or visit online at bedfordcountychamber.com.

The Chamber thanks their Annual Dinner and Award Celebration sponsors to date:

Event Partner and Host Venue — Bun Air Corp./Bedford County Airport

Theme Sponsor — Community LIFE

Athena Award Co-Sponsors — Bedford BPW and Thomas Dealerships

Supporting Sponsors — First Energy Corp., Keller Engineers

Table Sponsors — Altoona First Savings Bank, Bedford Reinforced Plastics and Reinforced Logistics, Corle Building Systems and Construction, First National Bank of PA, Hometown Bank, Hyndman Area Health Center, M&T Bank, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Somerset Trust Company, and UPMC Bedford

Additional Founders Circle and Executive Chamber Members to date: Allegany College of Maryland, Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance Company, Forbes Road Conference Center, Gateway Travel Plaza, Homewood at Spring House Estates, Hyndman/Bedford/Everett Family Health Centers, Knisely and Sons, RWR Insurance, Somerset Trust Company, Structural Fiberglass, Inc., Wessel and Company

Individual Award Sponsors to date: Bedford County Endowments, Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance Company, Burger King of Bedford, Freedom Excursions by Scully, LLC, LG Direct Sales Solutions, Lynn Ashe, Pennwood Ophthalmic Associates, Structural Fiberglass, Inc.

Event Partners: Bedford County Airport Authority, Bun Air Corp., Bedford Candies, Bedford County Players, Everett Flower Shop, Loving Touch Flower and Gift Shop, Shawnee Structures, Snappy Chef, Soaring Eagle, Sunny Oaks Studios

Additional sponsorships are available. Call the Chamber at 814-623-2233 to discuss these opportunities.

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Clear skies. Low 47F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Clear skies. Low 47F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

Updated: August 31, 2023 @ 5:11 pm

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