Awards event set this week
Businesses and nonprofit organizations in downtown Butler will be honored at the Butler Downtown Annual Celebration and Awards Thursday at Brushes and Barstools on South Main Street.
The Chop Shop, located on Main Street, will be recognized as this year's Business of the Year.
According to Tom Graham, Butler Downtown president, The Chop Shop's owner Bill Atkinson has continually been helpful in supporting the organization's yearly events.
“He supports everything that goes on downtown by donating food, his time and his efforts,” Graham said.
Lance Calvert, co-owner of Brushes and Barstools, will be honored as Volunteer of the Year.
Graham said Calvert has spearheaded many of the organization's Economic Restructuring Committee projects, such as developing an interactive map of downtown for the group's website and the group's New Business Guide to Success brochure.
“What keeps this organization running is volunteers like Lance,” Graham said. “He's somebody to be looked up to. He's takes a lot of pride and is very committed to not only the Butler Downtown organization, but to the city itself.”
As a Butler native, Calvert said he is honored to be recognized for his contributions to the community.
“I was in the military so I'm all about giving back and civil service to the community. It's one way I can help out by volunteering and trying to make the community as a whole a better place to live,” Calvert said.
This year the Butler County Symphony and The Associated Artists of Butler County/The Art Center will be recognized. This will be the first time that downtown nonprofit organizations will be honored.Patricia Stagno, symphony board president, said the organization, which has been located downtown for more than 20 years, is honored to be recognized as a vital part of downtown's business community.“Because we're a presence on the Diamond (Park), it gives us accessibility to help in any way that we can in downtown Butler and to keep business in the downtown area,” Stagno said. “We hope to continue our presence in the area for many years.”Terry Hagen, Associated Artists board president, said the organization is always happy to help support Butler Downtown events.“Anything that is happening in downtown, we always participate. So it's nice to be recognized,” Hagen said.Graham said the organization will be recognizing these nonprofit groups as integral aspect of the downtown business community.“They are a vital part of the Butler Downtown organization. They contribute to our efforts. They have offices in downtown Butler and are a part of our footprint,” Graham said.Graham will also be honored for his ongoing support of the business community.“It's an honor for me. I don't do it for the awards. I have a vested interest in the city. I live here. My home is in the city. My business is in the city,” he said. “I want to make it a place that's great and when my kids grow up they want to stay here.”
