SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship, honored local businesses as well as SCORE volunteers during the SCORE Awards Luncheon held at the Ontario Event Center Wednesday.
North Central Ohio SCORE Chapter Chair Tom Bowers said, “We are honoring small businesses that we counseled in the beginning and got them started, and they are doing pretty well so we want to recognize that. In addition, we have several SCORE members that are receiving awards for meritorious conduct above and beyond the call of duty.”
Bowers noted that Jack Iliff worked hard to coordinate the event.
U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Columbus, Ohio District Director Martin Golden was the keynote speaker.
“At the SBA we are focused on making sure that you have the tools and resources you need to grow your businesses and to create jobs in your communities,” said Golden.
“When people ask me what the SBA does, I like to say we’re the agency that works with the businesses that create two out of every three brand new jobs in the U. S. economy and account for fully 50 percent of private sector workforce,” he continued.
Golden noted that this is the 50th anniversary of service by SCORE to the small business community. “It’s a great occasion to be here to celebrate what this organization has meant to America’s entrepreneurs for the last fifty years,” he added.
“The businesses that are here today embody America’s entrepreneurial spirit, and our ability to create cutting-edge products and revolutionize industries,” said Golden.
Those entrepreneurs included: Ladonna Seacrist, owner of the Squirrel’s Den; Diane Hammontree, owner of Puppy Feet, LLC; Herman Weaver, owner of Quality Plastics, LLC; and Colleen and Jack Turner, owners of Bellville Flowers and Gifts, who were honored in absentia.
Master of Ceremonies Clare Clemons, a former SCORE Chair, Assistant Ohio District Director, and an Emeritus SCORE Volunteer, noted that Bellville Flowers and Gifts had supplied the floral arrangements for the function. Clemons noted that the Turners were quite successful in their business venture, which contributed to the fact they could not attend the event as their shop was very busy at the time.
Each honoree was given a SCORE award as well as commendations from Senator Sherrod Brown’s office as well as from State Representative Mark Romanchuck.
Several SCORE volunteers were also honored during the event.
Robert Donaldson received the Platinum Leadership Award, the highest award given by the SCORE National Association, in recognition for outstanding leadership and meritorious services to the SCORE Association and the Chapter.
James Nearhood and Robert Ahlers each received the Gold Member Award, an award given in recognition of exceptional contribution and meritorious service to the SCORE National Association and the Chapter.
Sid Hall and Mark Haddock each received the Meritorious Service Award, an award given for consistently above average service to the SCORE North Central Ohio Chapter 384.
Kenneth Majoy was the recipient of the Grindstone Award, an award given by SCORE North Central Ohio Chapter for service that has consistently exceeded all expectations over many years.
Romanchuck, who was in attendance for the event, noted, “I’m certainly pleased that we recognized these volunteers, because that’s the keyword here, isn’t it – volunteers. These people are doing this on their own time for the good of the community and they need to be celebrated.”
Iliff, North Central Ohio SCORE Membership Chair, added that new volunteers are always welcome. More information may be found at the website.
