House of Grace director honored at Chambersburg Chamber awards

March 14, 2008|By DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Since it opened in 1999, more than 400 women have passed through the doors of The House of Grace, learning parenting, job and other skills to improve their lives.

In 2006, the ministry expanded with Dress to a Tea, a used professional clothing store that has generated $25,000 to help fund The House of Grace. The store also has provided House clients with the fashion sense and clothing to help them succeed in the workplace.

For those efforts, House of Grace Director Janet Johnston was presented the Athena Award Thursday at the annual Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Awards Breakfast. Johnston said she wanted to share the Athena Award with the ministry volunteers who have helped women in need in "seeing themselves as loved and valued human beings."

Dr. Jayne Keller received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her service with the Greater Chambersburg Foundation's Leadership Franklin County Program. She served as vice president of the foundation board, helped with its work force development initiative and Casino Night fundraiser.

Larry, Barbara and Tucker Lahr of TBL Enterprises were presented with the Property Improvement Award for a project in the $150,000 to $500,000 category for their renovation of a commercial and apartment building at 75-77 N. Main St.

For a project costing up to $150,000, Annamarie Erkson and Theo Katsaounis, the owners of Molly's Restaurant and Carryout, 109 S. Main St., were given a Property Improvement Award. An honorable mention went to Esquivia & Stennett Bilingual Services, 67 N. Main St., owned by Ayleen Esquivia.

Five of the seven properties nominated this year were in downtown Chambersburg, Chamber Board Chairman Steve Caldwell said.

Other awards presented:

· The Innovator Award to Sheets Inc. for its product innovations and contributions to the community and economy.

· The chamber and Wilson College Environmental Sustainability Award to Waste Management Mountain View Reclamation of Greencastle, Pa. The landfill operator's measures to preserve woodlands, wetlands and grasslands were cited, along with 100 acres it has deed restricted to Pheasants Forever as a habitat.

· Jack Wilma and Dwight Mickey, owners of Shatzer's Fruit Market and Orchard, received the Agribusiness Award. Caldwell noted the orchard has been honored at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show five times in the past decade for "Best Bushel of Apples" and "Best Fruit Market Display."

· Jo Gearhart and Joe Hunt were honored as Heritage Center Ambassadors. Each volunteered more than 200 hours at the center last year.

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