News & Events

Phoenixville Community Champions Honored

What does it take to become a Community Champion? It takes a long term commitment to volunteerism for the betterment of the greater Phoenixville area. The Phoenixville area has a great tradition of community giving. Four individuals, who exemplify such a giving spirit, were honored by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation as "Champions of the Community".

The Champions of the Community Award Program was created by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation twelve years ago to honor area citizens – unsung heroes – who freely give their time, talents and resources to make our greater Phoenixville communities better places to live, to work, to play and to raise a family. Since that time fifty-one people have been recognized as community Champions.

This year twenty-two nominations were received from within the greater Phoenixville area. An independent selection committee chaired by Lynn Pike Hartman, Foundation Vice President, gave consideration to each nominee and chose four as the 2011 Champions of the Community. As a part of their award, each Champion receives a $2,000 donation, made in their name, to the charities of their choosing. These Champions, as well as all the 2011 nominees, were honored at a luncheon on November 4th, held at the Phoenixville Country Club.

Nancy Batzel was nominated by Janet Hunter. Batzel has been active in the Phoenixville community for more than 25 years as a Girl Scout leader and Cookie Mom, as a Cub Scout leader, Schuylkill Elementary Home and School Association serving as Vice President, Phoenixville Kindergarten Center as a Homeroom Mom and library volunteer, and Faith Baptist Church. She is also a volunteer with Stepping Stone Education Center serving on the Board of Directors, the Fundraising Committee and helping in the classroom. Batzel requested her $2,000 award be given to the Stepping Stone Education Center.

Leo Custer was nominated by Mayor Leo Scoda. Custer has been volunteering for over 25 years as well as a fire Policeman through the Phoenixville #1 Hose, Hook & Ladder Fire Company. As a Fire Policeman, Custer assists with traffic control at the scenes of major fires and traffic accidents, any time of the day or night and in any kind of weather. He also helps with special events such as the Dogwood Parade and community events. Custer requested his $2,000 award be divided between the Phoenixville #1 Hose, Hook & Ladder and the Cancer Center at Phoenixville Hospital.

John (Jack) Ertell was nominated by Donald Coppedge and David Frees, Jr. Ertell has 45 years of service to the Phoenixville community with the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area serving as President for five years and Board Chair, the Schuylkill River Heritage Center, and St. John's Lutheran Church. Ertell is also a member of the school district's Sports Hall of Fame Committee and is actively involved with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Ertell requested his $2,000 award be divided between the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area and St. John's Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund.

David Gill was nominated by Mayor Leo Scoda. Gill began volunteering as a young man. His activities include volunteer service with the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, Phoenixville Relay for Life and Phoenixville Communities That Care. He has coached young people for over 28 years and has served on the Borough Parks & Recreation Board for 6 years. Gill also helps to coordinate the volunteers that provide Santa with a house on Phoenixville and all the helpers that Santa needs. Gill has requested his $2,000 award be divided between Phoenixville Communities That Care summer camp program and the Santa's House Project.

Other nominees who were acknowledged at the award luncheon were Kristin Abell, Juanita Bearden, Erin Burke, Rev. Ines Castro-Guerrero, Shelly Endrey, Rodney Frey, Elena Gonzalez-Shaffer, Larry Gubanich, Kevin Kincade, Elizabeth Lennon, Joseph Little, Charles McQuiston, Jr., Sean O'Donnell, Janet Reading, Richard Rosmos, John Shoen, Bob Ulisny, and Joel Zimmermann.

Louis J. Beccaria, President and CEO of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation said, "The Foundation also strives to be a champion of community health ... physical, mental, social, economic, and health. Each year we search for those 'unsung heroes' of our community – those who are often overlooked for their efforts to make the greater Phoenixville area a better place. We feel privileged to be able to honor them. They contribute significantly to the overall health and quality of life of our community."

2011 Champions of the Community

Greater Phoenixville Healthcare Scholarships Awarded to Area Students

Phoenixville, PA -- The Greater Phoenixville Healthcare Scholarship Program has been providing college scholarships since 1995. Since then over ninety scholarships have been awarded to high school graduates pursuing health-related careers.

All graduating seniors who are pursuing careers in a health-related field of study are eligible to apply. The program draws from the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation's service area that includes Great Valley, Methacton, Owen J. Roberts, Perkiomen Valley, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove and Spring-Ford School Districts, as well as CAT Pickering, Pope John Paul VI, and the Western Center for Technical Studies. This year seventeen students applied for the scholarships representing CAT Pickering, Owen J. Roberts, Perkiomen Valley, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove, and Spring-Ford. Five scholarships were awarded.

Valerie McEvoy of Collegeville will graduate from Spring-Ford High School and will be attending Penn State University majoring in Biobehavioral Health. "I hope to further science and help shape the future of genetic counseling. Pursuing a career in the health care field is my dream. Genetic counseling is the field that I find fascinating and I hope to contribute to its significance and availability in our future."

Danah Moser of Stowe will graduate from Pottsgrove High School and will be attending Messiah College majoring in Nursing. "I have always had an interest in helping others. I needed to find a career that allowed me to serve others while using my interest in the human body and how it works. Nursing seemed to be a natural fit."

Elizabeth Ngugi of Limerick will graduate from Spring-Ford High School and will be attending Mansfield University majoring in nursing. "I believe that compassion and care have a positive impact on a patient's physical and psychological state. Nursing would empower me to develop my leadership skills and provide the utmost quality of care to my future patients."

Kristen Polaski of Collegeville will graduate from Perkiomen Valley High School and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Physical Therapy. "I am pursuing a career in healthcare because I understand the importance and need for health care professionals. I have come to learn and appreciate all that the health care professionals do and I have a great desire to be a part of that."

Eleanor Wanamaker of Phoenixville is graduating from CAT Pickering and will be attending West Chester University majoring in Exercise Science. "I feel confident and certain that pursuing this career is my calling and my way of giving back and being grateful that I was given the chance to change my life. I couldn't imagine having a different career."

These scholarships are funded by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, and the Phoenixville Hospital Thrift Shop – five scholarships in all. All scholarships are $8,000 payable over four years.

Lynn Pike Hartman, Vice President for Programs with the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation facilitated the Scholarship Selection Committee activities. The Committee was comprised of representatives from the 2011 scholarship partners: Daniel Baer, Frank Cirone, Timothy Durkin and Maria Schwab from the Foundation; Alice Kurtas and Janet Reading from the Thrift Shop.