WINONA LAKE - She feeds the hungry. He feeds hungry souls.
The Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce handed out its man and woman of the year honors Thursday night at the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace College Campus in Winona Lake.The annual meeting allows the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce to recognize local industries, businesses and individuals for their contributions locally and abroad.
Roz Morgan was named Woman of the Year, and John Boren was named Man of the Year for 2007. Times-Union Managing Editor Gary Gerard made the presentation of the awards.
Morgan is the founder and executive director of Our Father's House in Warsaw and Mary's House in Pierceton.
"I stand here humbled and undeserving," said a teary Morgan as she accepted the award. "I cannot tell you what this means to me."
Shortly after opening Our Father's House to feed the hungry 11 years ago, she opened a shelter for women, Mary's House, in Pierceton. Since then she has spearheaded numerous projects to help needy people of all ages in the area.
In the past 11 years, she has fed thousands of people, provided battered women a safe haven, and given needy children clothing and supplies for school.
Boren has been the chaplain at the Kosciusko County Jail for the past 14 years.
"I am honored to be on the same stage as Roz Morgan," Boren said as he accepted the award.
After explaining that he was arrested 14 years ago, he said that God changed his life.
"I was a thief, a drunk and a liar," Boren said. "I thank God that he took me down and humbled me. ... My only regret was that I wasted the first 40 years of my life (without God)."
Despite stage-3 esophageal cancer diagnosis in 2003, Boren continued to minister at the jail, even though at times he was so weak he could barely walk. He still found a way to make it to the jail, saying the needs of others were more important than his own comfort.
Along with the man and woman of the year honors, several other awards were handed out at Thursday night's dinner.
Jennifer Ryder received the Ambassador of the Year award from Joy McCarthy-Sessing, chamber president. Ryder, who moved to the area two years ago, joined the Chamber and has been actively involved since.
"The Chamber has been a valuable resource for me," said Ryder. "It is a great investment in the community."
The Dimensions of Excellence Service Business Award was presented to Stafford's Solid Waste Service.
The business was started 15 years ago when the Stafford family started picking up trash in the evenings after their day jobs. Now a full-time business with 11 trucks on the road, Stafford's Solid Waste picks up more than nearly 12,000 tons of trash per year.
Dennie Electric and Dennie House Country Collectibles received the Dimensions of Excellence Business Award.
Phil and Jean Ann Dennie opened Dennie Electric in 1967, and later opened Dennie House Country Collectibles in the front of the electric shop. The business currently employs nine people and includes three generations of the Dennie family.
The Dimensions of Excellence Entrepreneur Award was presented to Scott Woods, the man behind Spikes Beach Grill and Noa Noa.
Woods came up with the idea for a seasonal beach bar in Warsaw 18 years ago. He went with his gut feeling, got the financing and opened Spikes. Later, he expanded the business and opened Noa Noa.
Metzger Trucking was presented with the Dimensions of Excellence Industry Award. Metzger Trucking puts emphasis on relationships with clients and employees as well as service and faith.
"Our goal as a company," said Dan Metzger, who accepted the award, "is for people to look at our company and our lives and see Christ in our lives. We give Him credit for all this."
The Government Excellence Award was presented to Kosciusko County Coroner John Sadler. Sadler has served the county in different capacities for the past 22 years. Along with his well-known duties as coroner, Sadler volunteers with community projects, such as the Biblical Gardens.
Also at the dinner, new members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors were named. Dennis Hively, 1st Source Bank; Joe Kessie, Lake City Bank; Doris Lemert, Kosciusko County REMC; Jennifer Ryder, Young Adult Professionals; and Wayne Walston, Miner, Lemon & Walston are the new members of the board. They join renewal members Doug Hanes, National City Bank; Rick Van Puffelen, CTB Inc. and Ernie Wiggins, mayor of Warsaw.
The chamber board officers for 2008 are: Jack Moore, Embarq, president; Tim Meyer, Medtronic Spinal and Biologies, treasurer; Lowell Owens, Owens & Company P.C., past chair; and Jerry Beasley, Kosciusko Community Hospital, chair-elect.
