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Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct an error. Cindy Zehr owns Kerlin Bus Sales, not Kerlin Motors. The Times-Union regrets the error.
WINONA LAKE – This year’s recipients of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce’s Man and Woman of the Year – Ot Schroeder and Cindy Zehr, respectively – were recognized Thursday night for their extensive charitable and caring efforts.
The announcements were made during the chamber’s 105th annual dinner held at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
Both recipients were gracious and humbled with the spotlight.
The two awards were sponsored by the Times-Union and 1st Source Bank.
Zehr, an owner of Kerlin Bus Sales, has been a longtime volunteer with Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice and is especially valued because she works with Alzheimer’s patients and others who are non-verbal, a role some volunteers are uncomfortable in filling, according to Times-Union General Manager Gary Gerard, who recapped Zehr’s achievements prior to the presentation.
“She’s committed to being with hospice patients in their last moments because she doesn’t want anyone to die alone,” Gerard said.
Zehr has worked on mission trips to Haiti, serves as a mentor at Akron Elementary and is active at her church, Warsaw Community Church.
She’s been helpful with friends and neighbors over many years.
One of the people who nominated her told of how Zehr offered her assistance before and after she gave birth to triplets.
“Something about the way she made the offer made me feel like I would be doing her a favor to accept – she’s tricky that way,” Gerard told the crowd, reiterating comments from the friend.
Zehr repeatedly expressed thanks for the recognition. “This just blows me away,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Zehr said, she celebrated the birth of her first grandchild.
“This is an awesome day,” Zehr added.
Schroeder is a former teacher who moved to the area in 1994 and immediately became involved with local programs, many aimed at helping youth, according to Doug Baumgardner, who recapped Schroeder’s background.
Among his work, Schroeder was involved with Junior Achievement for 10 years and has been a longtime volunteer at Madison Elementary.
He has been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and is a longtime sponsor and supporter of Kosciusko County 4-H programs and auctions.
“He’s always willing to assist anyone interested in raising and showing 4-H animals,” Baumgardner said.
After realizing Warsaw Community High School’s graduation rate hovered around 75 percent, he became a founding member of GradWay. He and other volunteers worked for several years to keep the program going until Kosciusko County Community Foundation and Dekko Foundation started providing financial assistance.
Eventually, the graduation rate rose to 91 percent.
“He embodies the type of character and servant leadership we value in Kosciusko County,” Baumgardner said.
Schroeder, in accepting the award, thanked the audience and noted that nearly 30 relatives surprised him by attending the dinner.
“This community is not afraid to embrace things and take things and make them better,” Schroeder. “I’m super proud of what we all can get accomplished.
“Thank you very much. I’m really honored to be here tonight,” he said.
An orchestral version of Rush’s “Working Man” serenaded all recipients as they came to the stage to receive their plaques. Other people and groups recognized include:
• Rice Ford Lincoln, Business of the Year – sponsored by Lake City Bank
• KC Recycling for Environment and Substantiality – sponsored by KeyBank
• Clear Water Car Wash for Rising Star – sponsored by Horizon Bank
• Cardinal Services for Health and Wellness in the Workforce – sponsored by PNC Bank
• Fellowship Missions for Making A Difference – sponsored by Old National Bank
• Warsaw City Planner Jeremy Skinner for Government Excellence – sponsored by Zimmer Biomet
• Kevin Hamstra, of 1Eighty Design, for Young Adult Professional – sponsored by Kosciusko Cares
• David Crowell, of Vectar OnSite CPAs, for Ambassador of the Year – Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce
Randy Lewis, the night’s featured speaker, worked for Walgreens for 17 years, rose to a senior management position during a time when the company more than quadruples the number of stores and led an effort to increase the hiring of people with disabilities in a new distribution facility.
Lewis, who has a son with autism, pointed out plenty of reason why people with disabilities can be great workers.
Lewis is also the author of “No Greatness Without Goodness,” a book that chronicled how his love for his son helped revolutionize the company’s approach to hiring people with disabilities.
He pointed to the story of a deaf person who became a forklift driver, despite some initial concerns about his lack of hearing. But it turns out, he said, they have fewer accidents.
In fact, he said, they realized retention and absentee levels among disabled employees are better than the overall workforce.
He told the story of an autistic man whose love of the color purple would get him so thrilled that he would start dancing at the sight of the color – even in the workplace.
While dancing might be an odd, eye-catching site for many at work, Lewis posed the simple question: Would you rather have an employee complaining or dancing?
His talked concluded with a video featuring inspiring testimonials from workers and managers at the plant.
“People with disabilities await us. They await us to discover their gifts. They await us to harness their abilities,” Lewis said. “But more than ever, they await us to embrace them as our own,” Lewis said.
Lewis then implored people to rethink their outlook.
“I believe in miracles and cures and healing. I believe this can be done. I believe this will be done and I believe the time is now.”
