Citizen of the Year

The Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2009 Citizen of the Year. Each year the Citizen of the Year Chamber Committee recognizes individuals from the Fontana, Walworth and Williams Bay areas who, through their personal efforts, have displayed extraordinary service and leadership skills in the quality of life in the western Geneva Lake communities. To nominate a citizen for the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award, download the Nomination Form (pdf). Deadline for all entries is April 22, 2010.

2009 Citizen of the Year Awards Presented

Jack Cunningham, Madeline Zindrick, Jim Lovell, Chris Lovell, Jack Meredith and Shari Lundberg
Image courtesy of Ideal Impressions Photography

On May 5, 2010 the annual Citizen of the Year Awards luncheon was held at the Abbey Springs Clubhouse. This award was conceived to honor an individual from each of the communities it serves; Fontana, Walworth and Williams Bay.  The chosen recipient’s who received the awards join a remarkable group of past recipients that collectively define “givers of the community” in the purest sense. The following recipients were honored:

Shari Lundberg of Williams Bay was nominated by Lois Morava of Williams Bay for her tireless efforts to bring the disease “Scleroderma” to the public forefront.  Shari has founded the only support group, Partners for a Cure, in Wisconsin.  She works endlessly to support other Scleroderma patients throughout the Midwest who share her disease.  Shari has said, “I was blessed by this disease so I may be able to help others with it”. Since 2006, she has organized four walks and raised almost $80,000 for the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

Chris and Jim Lovell of Fontana were nominated by Judy Johnson, Father Dan Sanders, Sue and Dale Vavra along with Ellen Weber.  Their letter stated, “They are truly a couple, who through their personal efforts have displayed extraordinary service and leadership skills that enhance the quality of life in the Western Geneva Lake communities”.  Chris is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and often pitches in when others need help without being asked.  Jim is a volunteer fire fighter, a member of the Williams Bay Dive Team and first responder on the Williams Bay Rescue Squad.  After hurricane Katrina, Chris traveled to New Orleans to help with the clean up and rebuilding.

Walworth Food Pantry, Jack Meredith, Madeline Zindrick and Jack Cunningham of Walworth were presented their award by Chris F. Severt.  The Walworth Food Pantry runs out of the Immanuel United Church of Christ on Fremont Street in Walworth under the direction of Jack Meredith.  Jack does most of the purchasing of the pantry and makes sure the pantry has what they need each week to assist the 10-28 families they serve.  Chris states, “The community is blessed to have Jack Meredith as its food pantry director”.  Jack Cunningham is described as the churches “Jack of all trades”.  He runs to all the locations that have the drop off containers and picks them up each week.    Jack recently took a trip to Green Bay to pick up 70 cases of Campbell’s Soup donated by the Packers.  Chris says, “Jack Cunningham is a very dedicated and dependable worker for the Walworth Food Pantry and we are lucky to have him”.  Madeline Zindrick “is the glue that holds it all together”.  She handles the daily calls, inquiries and donations.  “It takes a good organizer/coordinator to handle the needs of the pantry and Madeline is that person” Severt said.

This year’s event was Chaired by Chamber Secretary, Shelley Perry, Knight-Barry Title, Inc., with committee members; Rita Nyman, M&I Bank and Terri Moldenhauer, Community Bank.

Founded in 1979, the Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization dedicated to assisting local businesses to grow economically while maintaining the cultural beauty and civic welfare of the communities they serve.  For more information about the Chamber, you can call the office at (262)275-5102 or visit online at: www.Genevalakewest.com

2008 Citizen of the Year Awards Presents

Image courtesy of Ideal Impressions Photography

On May 6, 2009 the Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce proudly presented their annual Citizen of the Year awards for the communities of Fontana, Walworth and Williams Bay. A lovely luncheon was enjoyed at Abbey Springs Yacht Club in Fontana, where the following recipients were honored:

James Feeney of Fontana was nominated by Marshall Maxwell of Williams Bay for his endless service in helping feed those less fortunate. He prepares thousands of pounds of fish for St. Benedict’s Catholic Church fish fry fundraisers, hundreds of turkeys for other church fundraisers, works tirelessly for the food pantry, and offers amazing amounts of support for funeral services and post funeral dinners in addition to driving cancer patients to treatments. “Jim is really a man of honor,” says Maxwell.

Steve and Pat Werner of Walworth were nominated and the award presented by Jacob A. Ries of Walworth. “Steve and Pat Werner have been making their community and others better places to live for many years,” said Ries. He cited their work as devoted school teachers at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan, Steve’s many hours of volunteer coaching in the area, active involvement in the Walworth-Fontana Rotary, and Pat’s involvement with helping deaf students communicate through art, as well as their impressive humanitarian efforts in Kenya.

In Williams Bay Janette Maxwell wanted to be sure Liz Cox was recognized for her tireless service to that community.  “She has fed and cared for so many souls in this town,” Maxwell said. She is active in Williams Bay village meetings, Yerkes Observatory, and several committees of the UCC church, in addition to transporting many elderly or sick to hospitals, grocery stores, or even to the park to enjoy a change of scenery. She often visits those in nursing homes and hospitals to provide emotional uplifting.  “Liz and her husband Tom are dedicated servants to this community,” Maxwell ended.
These awards are presented annually during the first week of May for the prior year’s service.  Written call for nominations is announced via the Chamber’s web site and news releases, and the nominations are accepted through the March Board of Directors meeting.  The criteria used in the selection process include:

• The nominee has personally helped the less fortunate and continues to do so.
• The nominee gives freely of his/her own time endeavoring to make the community a better place for others.
• The nominee volunteers for charities, community functions, hospitals, nursing homes, meals on wheels, etc.
• The nominee administers to the sick, elderly, or handicapped in the community.
• The nominee sets an example as a civic-minded, involved, caring, and empathetic model.

Founded in 1979, the Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization dedicated to assisting local businesses to grow economically while maintaining the cultural beauty and civic welfare of the communities they serve.  For more information about the Chamber, call the Fontana office at (262) 275-5102 or visit online at:  www.GenevaLakeWest.com.

The Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Citizen of the Year Awards
for Fontana, Walworth and Williams Bay

Senator Neal Kedzie, Amy Myhre, Bruce Bradshaw

The awards were presented at noon on May 7, 2008 at the Monthly General Membership Meeting & Annual Awards Luncheon at Abbey Springs Yacht Club on Geneva Lake’s beautiful south west shore. Citations from the State of Wisconsin were presented to each winner by Representative Tom Lothian and signed by him and Senator Neal Kedzie

Fontana - KARLA TILDAHL was nominated by Robert (Bob) Rauland, owner of The Rauland Agency and a past award recipient who says, ““If you meet Karla, you can’t help liking her, and wanting her for a friend.” In his nomination Mr Rauland cited the many volunteer activities in which Karla has participated over the years, including her own fundraiser – “Karla’s 5K run for cancer”. Since retiring with honors from Aurora Health Care, Karla has become a medical advocate for many in the community, including members of her parish and those with serious illnesses. She shares her spirituality through her talents as a gifted organist and member of the church choir, and volunteers as a Parish Nurse and on the Worship Committee.  A letter from Pastor Jim Mehltretter of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church reads, “Karla sees needs easily and wants to offer leadership, make progress, solve problems and most importantly – help people in whatever way she can.” Karla is also an active member of the Red Hat Society, and The American Association of University Women, and the Masterpiece Chorale.

Walworth – PAM PATTERSON was nominated by Steve Jensen, a financial advisor with Wachovia Securities. Pam and her husband Ben are the founders of Agape House – a transitional home for hurting and/or abused girls, now in the former Grace Evangelical Church building in Walworth. They are celebrating their 10th year of ministry, “helping young women to overcome the effects of abuse, addictions, and the hurts of their past...” The Patterson’s have ministered to over 100 girls and have started a school, home for younger girls, and a home for girls between 18-26 to help them transition out of the foster care system. Pam has a degree in Family Services and is the Executive Director of the 501(c)3 organization.

Williams Bay – ELLEN WEBER was co-nominated by Rita Stofflet and Guri Henderson. Ellen has seven children, three of whom are adults with special needs and living with her. She is the caregiver for them as well as her mother who is approaching 100 years. In addition to having held leadership positions with the Williams Bay Woman’s Community Club, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Quester’s, the Delavan Service League and the Walworth County Retarded Citizens Organization, Ellen makes time to donate and host an annual picnic for Walworth County handicapped citizens at her own home – complete with live entertainment. She and her family are very active in the Special Olympics, and she has volunteered countless hours at Lakeland School and VIP Industries in Elkhorn. Ellen supports her husband Dave in his activities as a Walworth County Board Supervisor. The couple was instrumental in helping their neighbors bring two children from Transylvania, Romania, who later became a Registered Nurse and a school teacher. Between doing all of this and more, she sets up the wheel chair booth at the annual county fair and donates quilts for fund-raising raffles. “Ellen is gentle, modest and truly deserving of this award,” say her friends who will attempt to surprise her with this honor.