Photos from "An Evening in Tuscany" can be seen here!
The Radisson Star Plaza was the place to be on Saturday night. The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce had filled one of the banquet halls with people for their social event "An Evening In Tuscany".
"This was called the Town Ball until the Chambers merged a number of years ago. 450 people will be here tonight celebrating and raising money for the Chamber," Shawn Pettit of the Merrillville Town Council and Board Member for the Crossroads Chamber said. "This is the third largest fundraiser that we have each year. As a Merrillville Councilman I think it's important that this Chamber is supported. It makes the city and towns what they and so it's important to have a strong business community."
The evening began with a silent auction and mingling. Guests could bid on great items, via cellphone, that were donated by local business. Autographed memorabilia, a new bicycle, autographed photographs, gift baskets filled with wonderful goodies, and much more. The awards ceremony began afterward.
"This is always one of my favorite events because it is our opportunity to give back to the community," Sue Reed, President and CEO of the Crossroads Chamber said. "We get to recognize the teachers, firemen, and police that make our community a safe place to live in, we get to make a financial donation to the Community Foundations, and it's just a great event."
Awards were given out to deserving members of the community who have made a big impact on the region. Everyone gave hearty applause to all those who were recognized.
Crown Point Community School Corporation Inspiring Educator of the Year: Elizabeth Hanlon
Merrillville Community School Corporation Inspiring Educator of the Year: Sue Cramer
Crown Point Firefighter of the Year: Captain David Crane
Merrillville Firefighter of the Year: Scot Mochlan
City of Crown Point Police Officer of the Year: Officer Ryan Olson
Town of Merrillville Police Officer of the Year: Nickolaus E. Schultz - accepted by Officer Schultz's family
A donation was presented to the Crown Point and Merrillville Education Foundations. Dr. Teresa Eineman pf Crown Point School Corporation and Linda Jonaitis of the Merrillville Education Foundation accepted the donation.
"On behalf of Franciscan Alliance and the Sisters of St. Francis, we wish the Chamber much success in their future endeavors," Carol Schuster, Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care said.
One final award was given that night: the ATHENA Award. "The ATHENA Award goes to one person each year who excels in professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in the attainment of excellence and leadership skills. The first ATHENA Award was presented in 1986, and many of the previous award recipients were in attendance tonight." Dr. Anna Rominger of Indiana University Northwest and 2013 ATHENA Award Recipient said.
Brad Vosberg of First Midwest Band presented Dr. Janet Seabrook with the 2014 ATHENA Award. Dr. Seabrook is the Executive Director of Gary-based Community HealthNet. She transformed a trailer into a medical office in Gary, Indiana that residents could go to when they needed medical attention. Community HealthNet is a nonprofit organization that now has five locations throughout Lake County.
"She has achieved a level of professional excellence in her career, she dedicates her time and energy to improving the quality of life in our community, and she assists others in realizing their full leadership potential," Vosberg said. "Truly from small beginnings she has reached great heights."
"I'm very honored and very much surprised," Dr. Seabrook said. "Things that I have done could not have been possible without family and friends and my husband Augustine Izah, to my parents who gave my the ability to spread my wings and allowed me the ability to do something that many people said was impossible."
After the awards program ended, guests enjoyed a lovely dinner prepared by the kitchen staff at the Radisson Star Plaza and danced the night away to the songs played by the live band Standing Room Only. It was a wonderful evening presented by a wonderful Chamber; a perfect way to shine a light on those in our community who deserve it.
Sponsors: Franciscan Alliance, Electric Professionals at IBEW Local 697, London Witte Group, LLC, Methodist Hospitals, NIPSCO, Radisson Stare Plaza, Times Media Company, Burle Costanza & Carberry, Centier Bank, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., City of Crown Point, Faegre Baker Danieis, Fifth Third Bank, First Merchants Bank, Geisen Funeral Home, Horizon Bank, Indiana American Water Co., Modern Forge Indiana, New Innsbrook Country Club, Polycon Industries, Post-Tribune, Robinson Engineering, Sedona Staffing, Strack & Van Til, Town of Merrillville, VIA Marketing, Inc, Wise Guy Discount Liquors, Avalon Springs Health Campus, Best Servers LLC, Bosak Motors, Calumet Park Cemetery and Funeral Chapel, Liss CARSTAR Collision, Purdue Research Foundation, Saint Joseph's College, Valley Fire Protection Systems, Bickford Assisted Living & Memory Care, Bryco Services, Inc., CertaPro Painters, Chick-fil-A, D & L Wood Products, First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, Holladay Properties, Indiana Wesleyan University, Johnson Controls, Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, Markey's Rental and Staging, Peoples Bank, Prairie Point Apartments, Puntillo & Crane Orthodontics PC, Spring Mill Health Campus, Vibra Hospital of Northwest Indiana, White's Residential and Family Services, Inc., Auctions By Celluar, First Midwest Bank