by Eric Marotta

Editor

Nordonia Hills -- Business and community service go together -- just ask those recognized at the Nordonia Hills Chamber of Commerce's annual awards luncheon.

Three members were honored May 8 at Gambitta's Party Center: Carol Lewis, of American Industrial Transmission, was given the Small Town Hero Award; Crossroads Chiropractic Center, owned by Drs. Wayne and Bobbi Taylor, received the Small Business of the Year Award; and Shauna Kaminsky, of Design Wizard Inc., earned the Chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award. The event was sponsored by Graham's Floral Shop.

The awards were preceded by the installation of the 2008-09 Board of Directors by State Rep. Brian Williams (D-Akron).

Small Town Hero

Chamber President Ron Haines introduced the awardees, starting with Lewis, whom he said was nominated with a two-page, anonymously submitted letter.

The Small Town Hero Award is meant for a person who has demonstrated leadership in community projects and organizations and is involved in the betterment of the community through civic participation.

Haines credited Lewis' many community activities, including membership in the Nordonia Hills Rotary Club, on the Nordonia Hills YMCA Board, the North Hills Water Board, Concerts in the Park and Nordonia Hills Baskets of Hope. He also credited her continued volunteering with Chamber functions such as the annual Business and Community Expo.

Lewis said it isn't her involvement, but that of the many people she works with.

"All of these things are team activities," she said.

Small Business
of the Year

Haines then introduced the Taylors, of Crossroads Chiropractic, explaining that since they opened shop in 2007, they have become well-recognized members of the community.

The award is meant to recognize the role of small businesses in the community.

The business must employ less than 25 people, contribute a significant amount of time to the community, show leadership within the business community, practice proper business ethics and be a Chamber member in good standing.

Haines said the couple has been active in fundraisers for causes including the Rotary and the Emergency Assistance Center, as well as other causes, including a book drive for soldiers overseas.

"They're a prime example of how to better your community while making your business a success," Haines said.

Bobbi Taylor, like Lewis, credited all the other people who have worked with them in making both their practice and their voluntary activities a success.

Chamber Ambassador of the Year

Laura Sparano, the Chamber's executive director, was called to introduce Kaminsky as Ambassador of the Year.

The award is granted to an outstanding volunteer who has shown consistent contribution and is a positive representative of the Nordonia Hills Chamber and business community.

"I could use an army of Shaunas -- it seems she's always there," Sparano said. "She's a member who promotes her fellow members first. She's created some strong business relationships and she's also grown her business. There's no stopping her."

Kaminsky said that her philosophy has been to do whatever she can to promote the Chamber -- and added it has paid off.

"It's not that difficult to support what you truly believe in," Kaminsky said. "I really have seen the effects of it for myself."

E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3171