Champions of the Community Awards...

Was developed in 2000 by the Foundation Board of Directors to recognize those who serve others in a way that contributes to the overall health of the community.

 

The focus of the program is to: Honor adults and youth who voluntarily give their time, talent and resources with no expectation of personal gain; Recognize adults and youth who provide leadership in their neighborhood or ethnic community; Honor adults and youth who support those less fortunate or those facing insurmountable circumstances.

 

Some individuals are overlooked because they are not widely known or associated with a well-established organization. The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation honors the hard work, special achievements, and good deeds of the unsung heroes of the greater Phoenixville community.

 

The nomination procedure includes: Completed Nomination Form and a nomination narrative of no more than two pages.

 

Nomination deadlines are announced annually.

 

Champion's nominations are accepted from the community ... organizations as well as individuals may submit nominations. An independent Selection Committee is assembled and, reviews all nominations and chooses up to four (4) Champions of the Community annually. Each Champion is honored with a $2,000 grant being made in their name to the charity of their choice. 

Download
Nomination Form
Champions of the Community Award nomination form.
Champions-Nomination-form2011.doc
Microsoft Word document [179.0 KB]

2011 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 in 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, and economic 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."