Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes community ‘superheroes’
Jean Bonchak March 29, 2024 at 4:15 p.m.
The Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce recently honored several businesses and community members at its 2024 annual awards banquet.
The themed event recognizing “superheroes” of the community encouraged participants to dress in costumes related to characters often appearing in movies and comic strips.
Ubuntu Wellness was presented with the Business of the Year award by chamber president Susan Parker.
Opened in 2016 on Chardon Square, the business focuses on holistic and integrated wellness services. An expansion to Chagrin Falls took place in 2022. The many health-centered services offered include clinical counseling, yoga, massage, meditation, workshops and more.
Parker stated that the business’s work has touched more than 3,500 area individuals, and added that “What sets Ubuntu Wellness apart is not only its commitment to providing exceptional services but also its dedication to collaboration and support within our local community.
“Through consistent partnerships with organizations like The Learning Cafe, Fieldstone Farm, The Collective Rose, and others, Ubuntu Wellness has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our community.”
A Grateful Giveback Day, where all services and samplers are offered free of charge, takes place each year.
Jennifer Emch and Erin Moore are the co-owners of Ubuntu.
“This is our eighth year in business…we’re just so grateful for the community support,” Emch said. “We have such an incredible team…we wouldn’t be here without them.”
Jason Glowczewski, chief operating officer of University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, was honored as the Business Person of the Year.
Glowczewski, who manages a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, navigated the medical center through the pandemic, national healthcare staffing shortages and economic uncertainties.
During a speech while presenting the award, Parker stated that “his exceptional intellectual and analytical skills, coupled with his compassionate demeanor, serve as a guiding light for his team, inspiring them to deliver exceptional care to the 35,000 patients they serve annually.”
Chamber vice president-elect Julia Dolsen presented a Legacy Award to DD Coley of Consumer Tire.
The family-owned and -operated business has been serving customers for six decades and has locations on Cherry Avenue in Chardon and in Mentor. Coley has been an active chamber board and committee member, playing an integral role in the community organization’s success, according to Dolsen.
Receiving Organization of the Year honors was Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance which provides support for at-risk individuals between the ages of 6 and 25. Formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio, the organization evolved to its current status in 2019.
Programs include providing college and high school students as mentors for elementary and middle school children, supervised and facilitated by a Torchlight coordinator.
Weekly two-hour sessions take place in schools throughout Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties. Lake and Geauga foster care youth ages 14 through 17 participate in a group mentoring program where adult volunteers assist with building critical life skills for teens as they age out of foster care.
Dolsen, who presented the award, noted that “Torchlight’s impact extends far beyond mentorship; it serves as a lifeline for youth facing adversity.
Coming from single-parent families, homes affected by incarceration, or struggling with poverty and behavioral health issues, these youth face formidable obstacles on their path to success. Yet, through Torchlight’s unwavering support, they find hope, resilience and the belief in their own potential.”
Also honored at the banquet was David Nelson, owner of Chardon Performance Therapy and The Chardon Biz Podcast. Nelson was the recipient of the Maple Leaf Community Impact award.
At the outpatient physical therapy practice, individuals’ health and lifestyles are addressed in order to provide long-term pain relief and improved function. Nelson also serves as host of the Chardon Biz Podcast, highlighting local entrepreneurs and innovators.
Chamber scholarships of $1,000 each were presented to Chardon High School students Rebecca Fullerman, Jacob Heintz, and Sadie Richards.