2011 Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
Cheers rose from the audience gathered at the Yorktowne Hotel on Tuesday, October 4, as they applauded the 45th anniversary of local non-profit human services organization, Bell Socialization Services, Inc. More than 120 people gathered at the historic downtown York hotel for the agency’s 2011 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony which recognizes outstanding employee and service user achievement and community support.
Following an invocation by Bell board member Pastor Brenda Ferree, the crowd enjoyed warm lunch and engaging conversation prior to the meeting. Board treasurer Tim Klimchock began the program by announcing special guests and fellow board members.
Accompanied on guitar by Craig Zumbrun, deputy director of the York County Housing Authority and Re-Source York board vice president, a trio of costumed Bell employees sang the 1966 song Reach Out; I’ll Be There to observe the year Bell began offering services to the greater York community.
Ivan “Ike” Hileman then took the stage to present the executive director’s message, sharing agency and departmental updates and stories accented with punctuations of his good-natured humor.
Bell board president Dr. Robert Lease, Jr. then accepted the podium to present the agency’s community awards:
Business of the Year: Comcast
Nominated by Christine Adkins, program coordinator of Bell’s Oasis House, who accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Employer of the Year: TJ Maxx, Hanover
Nominated by supported employment job coach, Mallory Ford, who accepted the award on the company’s behalf.
Pauline Whitacre Community Service Award: Lorri Lehr
Nominated by five employees of Bell’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team for her stellar volunteer service as receptionist in the ACT office, in addition to her leadership role with ACT’s advisory board.
Margo Atwood Community Service Award: Harrison Family
- Nominated for the family’s exemplary support of Oasis House. Beth, Harry & Jane Harrison are flanked by Christine Adkins (clubhouse program coordinator) and Dr. Robert Lease Jr.(president, Bell board of directors).
Rita Patz Good Neighbor Award: Tanya Querry
A former Bell employee and still a dedicated community supporter, Tanya Querry (l) was nominated for being a true Bell person by Community Relations & Development Coordinator, Janel Fox.
Department Awards
Bell department heads Paula Clymer Moore, director of finance, Kris Stroup, mental health services, Beth Kochenour, intellectual disability services, and Marcella Kinard, shelter services, announced the awards for their respective departments to recognize outstanding employee achievement and personal achievement of service users.
Administrative Services
Outstanding Employee Achievement award was presented to Marie Lewis, Fiscal Manager; nominated by Sue Payne and Jan Rudisill
Mental Health Services
Outstanding Employee Achievement award was presented to Angela Wildasin, Program Coordinator, Assertive Community Treatment; nominated by Lori Leister
Personal Achievement award was presented to James Lauck; nominated by Angela Wildasin
Intellectual Disability Services
Outstanding Employee Achievement award was presented to Theresa Franklin, Coordinator of Residential Services; nominated by Beth Kochenour and Rhoda Ioerger (not pictured).
Personal Achievement award was presented to Amy Barczak; nominated by Sandy Spitz.
Shelter Services
Outstanding Employee Achievement award was presented to Jennifer Strine, House Manager by Marcella Kinard; nominated by Jennifer Sailer (not picutred).
- Personal Achievement award was presented to the Marrero-Torres family; nominated by Linda Haley.
The program concluded with an ovation for 10 year old Jazianna Torres (whose mother, Katherine Marrero accepted the shelter services award), for her rendition of the Selena Gomez song, Who Says.