The Greater Salem Area Foundation and Mission Salem honored businesses, organizations, and individuals for their contributions to the community during the Evening of Honors Thursday night.
Mission Salem presented two honors to those who have played a critical role in helping the organization help others with building ramps and home improvement projects.
President Angie Courtright presented the Mission Salem Business Partner of the Year Award to Modern Woodman of America. She credited the Harness Region for always finding money to allow materials to be purchased for their projects. Patty Hapeman and Jane Weyer accepted the award, with Weyer noting they were able to provide $630,000 to assist organizations in their territory south of Decatur.
“One of the best parts of my job is helping people. We do that with matching funds and we’ve been very instrumental with Mission Salem but they have helped us also. The Harness Region just found out a few weeks ago we won the Fraternal Region of the Year through the organization as a whole and this is the 2nd year in a row. We are very proud of the fraternal work we are able to do.”
Weyer says when a need is brought to their attention they try and help out.
The Mission Salem Volunteer of the Year is Vernon Rose who was instrumental in the starting of Mission South Central and has allowed a large machine shed on his farm to be utilized to store materials and to complete many ramp builds.
“All this started with just a simple conversation of this is what we need and how are we going to accomplish it? And that conversation leads to another mission and another. I just encourage people to keep having those conversations because where there’s a will there’s a way and all glory goes to God.”
The Salem Foundation presented its Boss of the Year Award to Rich Sinclair. In addition to being a State Farm Agent the past 31 years, he’s on the Salem Theatre Board, the All Class Reunion Committee, and on the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation Board.
“I think that we need to treat people like we would like to be treated. My goal when someone comes to work for me I don’t want them to dread coming in like they are walking into Dante’s Inferno.”
Sinclair also thanked everyone who worked in his office.
The Business of the Year Award was presented to the ABC Pub. They were lauded for renovating the downtown business despite delay after delay caused by COVID-19. The award was accepted by owner Doug and Brandy Drenckpohl, with Brandy thanking friends, family and their crew for making the reopening a success.
“When we set out to reopen the ABC Pub we really wanted to be a part of the community. And so we have helped with events downtown, we did a fundraiser this week for the YMCA. It’s important for us to be in our community so thank you to Mission Salem and the foundation to recognizing we are on the right track of our goal of being part of this community.”
The Civic Achievement Award was presented to Salem Historical Commission members Betty Purcell and Luke Purcell for their work in getting the city’s first historical museum open, starting efforts to renovate the Bryan Birthplace and creating the East Lawn Cemetery Tour. Betty Purcell thanked the rest of the commission and the Tourism Council for their recent donation to help renovate the outside of the Bryant Birthplace.
“The citizens have been amazing the way they come to the museum every week and share their treasures with us. As I said before, our commission is committed to preserving the history of Salem. And without them being willing to share their own personal treasures or something from their family, they share it with us and trust we will take care of those treasures.”
Luke Purcell thanked Betty for building the beautiful displays out of boxes of junk and noted the large number in the community who have assisted including many in the audience.
The Salem Lions Club was honored as the Civic Organization of the Year. Their accomplishments included the new inclusive playground, sponsoring Post Prom, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Christmas Decoration Contest, youth sports and eye care testing and assistance. Incoming President Roy Koduvalil accepted the award.
“We greatly appreciate all the support that our community has given. There is really none of this great stuff going on without the support of our community so we are very thankful. Our motto is we serve and we look forward to continue to serve this community.”
The Educator of the Year is Robin Brooks who is retiring as Selmaville School Superintendent after 20 years of service. He said he was both blessed and grateful.
“To our Selmaville community, thank you for unwavering support of our school district. I am blessed and thankful to the incredible staff that I have had the opportunity to work with, especially the veteran staff that was there when I arrived. They were a great example of professionalism and pride in Selmaville.”
Brooks also thanked the school board for their constant support and then turned to thank his family and tell them how proud he was of them. It was also noted that during his 20 years as Superintendent, Brooks never missed a single event at the school.
The Foundation honored Roy and Beth Landers as Entrepreneur of the Year. The Landers have operated Landers Towing and Automotive for years and are now developing Iron Saddle Ranch as a rodeo and horse show venue as well as a recently opened new bar and restaurant. Beth Landers accepted the award.
“Roy and I are proud to be able to give to the community. Not only to our town but all the employees that we have. We are so excited about our future up there at the ranch and thank you so much.”
The Reverend Dr. Larry Shelton received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Shelton was unable to attend due to illness, but in accepting his award his sister Karen Watson noted how proud he was to be part of the founding of the Salem Foundation.
“Greater Salem Foundation has just been a blessing to countless people. And I am so proud that my brother had that dream along with 2 other people and it has just grown. The businesses in Salem have been so good to be a part of this.”
Watson says her brother was a minister for over 50 years at five different churches completing his career at the Emanuel Baptist Church in Salem. She noted how proud he was to help a number of young men get involved in the ministry.
Founders Awards were given to Dan Nichols and Bruce Jones for their work in founding the foundation. They were not present and will receive the awards later.
The event was held at the Apostolic Church in Salem. 225 tickets were sold for the event.
