JACKSON TWP The Zelienople-Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce and Zelienople-Harmony Business Association on Thursday honored business leaders for their volunteer work at the annual awards ceremony at Hartmann's Waterhole Restaurant.

The chamber named the winners of its Distinguished Service and For-Profit Business of the Year awards while the business association handed out its Appreciation and Business of the Year awards.

Chamber director Marnie Repasky presented the Distinguished Service Award to Jerry Burr of Zelienople for his volunteer efforts throughout the community.

Burr is retired from dairy farming for nearly 30 years and from 15 years of owning his own personalized driving business,

He has served on the board of the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard and is a representative of the Grace Church of Harmony for the cupboard. He is president of the Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest, a member of the Zelienople Unit of the Salvation Army, a delivery man for the Meals on Wheels and is involved with Project Caps for Kids, where has knitted more than 1,050 hats in three years.

"The best is yet to come for the Zelienople-Harmony area," Burr said. "Volunteerism is really picking up. With the Seneca Valley senior projects, kids are getting more involved."

The chamber honored Baldinger's Food from All Nations with the chamber's For-Profit Business of the Year Award for its long history and its recent move from Jackson Township into Zelienople,

Longtime manager Betty Sabo accepted the award for new owner Pat Boylan, Sr. and the employees.

Baldinger in November moved to its new location in the former Waterways building on the north side of Zelienople on Route 19.

The original store near the intersection of Route 528 and 19 in Jackson Township was sold to a real estate company. The landmark market, which has been featured on national television, sells penny candy.

The Zelienople-Harmony Business Association honored Randy Herbe of the Z Town Cafe with the Appreciation Award for his contributes to the community.

His mother Joanne Herbe accepted the award for his son, who had to work at the cafe.

Herbe opens his cafe early on Tuesdays for the Zelienople-Harmony Leeds networking group and has assisted the community with contributing to church spaghetti dinners, working with the Kiwanis Club of Zelienople and helping with Horse Trading Days and the Fall Festival.

The association also honored Mac McCrory and his business The Silversmith Shop with the Business of the Year Award.

Repasky said McCrory for years has helped with the electrical work of the business association.

"He has never said "no" and just sees what needs to be done and just does it," she said.

Herbe also is involved with Horse Trading Days, the Fall Festival and the Santa House.