Dedicated Community Members Honored at Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner

Posted on November 9, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center was teeming with community spirit Thursday evening during the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.

The event was attended by local leaders, state representatives, former award recipients and a plethora of caring community members. It was led by Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Gurrado and Executive Director Jessica Craig.

The man of the hour was the owner of Territorial Engineering Van Janovic, who was presented with the Henry F. Schricker Service Before Self Award.

Brenda and Van Janovic, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Craig 

and Chamber President Jerry Gurrado

Chamber President Gurrado shared a bit about the man behind the award before he was welcomed onto the stage, “People like Van are why our communities are so inviting and he’s truly deserving of this award.”

He added, “I don’t know that there could be a more fitting tribute to someone that he actually has to step out of the shadows and be our man of the night.”

Mr. Janovic was recognized for his involvement in the community, the numerous projects he has donated his time and services to and his incredibly humble personality.

Since Van was celebrating his birthday on Thursday, the entire community center erupted into the Happy Birthday song after he received his award.

The Chamber also presented two Above and Beyond Awards.

Kid’s Closet Director Linda Lewandowski

Both recipients are based out of North Judson. The director of the Kid’s Closet Ministry Linda Lewandowski, as well as Nan Wellman and her team from O.T.E.S Signs and Graphics, were honored for the impact they’ve made on the community.

O.T.E.S Owner Nan Wellman and her team

Before presenting the Business of the Year Award, Chamber President Gurrado highlighted that the selection process can be difficult when there are so many promising organizations in the area.

Gurrado shared, “Honestly, we could have given out four ‘Business of the Year’ awards easily this year and still left a lot of people out. That’s what kind of growth we’re starting to have.”

Traffic Control Specialists President Tracy Triska

Ultimately, Traffic Control Specialists out of Knox was determined to be the 2018 Business of the Year. President Tracy Triska accepted the award on behalf of her company.

Downtown Depot catered the event, Silver Leaf Florist provided the centerpieces and every attendee received a takeaway bag from Poppin’ Off Popcorn.

You can hear more from the Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner during this week’s Kankakee Valley Viewpoints program which airs every Sunday at noon right here on K99.3 WKVI.

Kid’s Closet Ministry Receives Grants to Help Starke County Youngsters

Published: July 6, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

A foundation that focuses on providing for the community has recently received quite a substantial amount of money for their dedication to the well being of the children of Starke County. Kid’s Closet Ministry was not only gifted a $2,000 grant through the Starke United Fund but recently was approved to receive $3,000 thanks to the kind submission of a community member who realized the importance of the foundation.

First Choice Insurance employee Carrie Block contacted the founder of of Kid’s Closet Ministry, Linda Lewandowski to ask her permission to apply for a grant through Safeco’s “Make More Happen” program. Lewandowski provided all the necessary information and Block applied for the grant, which was approved. The organization receives an initial $3,000 however it doesn’t end there.

Lewandowski explained that citizens have a unique opportunity to help the foundation receive more grant money just by voting for Kid’s Closet Ministry online, “It will be done through the Safeco website, where people can go in and vote for an additional three to ten thousand dollars once they get that up and running which is going to be pretty soon, I think by the end of July.”

The $3,000 from Safeco is going to be spent on purchasing shoes, socks, underwear and other various clothes items that aren’t currently in stock. The $2,000 from the Starke United Fund will be spent to purchase supplies and school bags for the Kid’s Closet Ministry annual ‘Pack-a-Backpack’ Event.

However, the grant can only provide so much. Lewandowski reported that last year about 250 children came through the doors of the fellowship hall at the North Judson Methodist Church during the event. This year they expect even more kids and families to attend. For this reason Kid’s Closet will be posted in front of the Dollar General stores in Knox and North Judson collecting additional school supplies on Saturday, July 11 from 8 am until 2 pm.

You have a chance to contribute to this event that helps children of the community go back to school prepared. Lewandowski stressed the importance of such an event, “I think it’s very important for children to go to school with all the right supplies that they need to learn and to grow in school. It give them self confidence, self esteem just to have all the right things that they need.”

You meet the criteria for this event if you qualify for free or reduced lunch or any other kind of financial aid. The Kid’s Closet Ministry Pack-a-Backpack event is scheduled to take place July 27th and 28th in the North Judson United Methodist Church fellowship hall. If you’re unsure about whether or not you can qualify or have any questions about Kid’s Closet Ministry contact Director Linda Lewandowski at 574-896-2611.