Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Keith Frndak talks about his time working with the organization during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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BUTLER TWP — Even after nearly 150 years of operation in Butler County, Concordia Lutheran Services remains an active part of the community, especially through its charitable acts.
The organization was recognized for its contributions on Friday, Nov. 14, with the Community Champion Award from the Butler County Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon in Founders Hall at Butler County Community College.
Jordan Grady, president of the chamber, said the organization has had a huge impact on the county from both an economic and charitable standpoint.
“Here is their impact for one year, last year: $12.4 million in charitable care to approximately 500 residents and patients,” he said.
Butler County Chamber of Commerce president Jordan Grady speaks during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Grady reminded luncheon attendees of the wide range of care Concordia offers, from assisted living and short-term inpatient rehab to home health and spiritual care.
He also mentioned the recent Remote Area Medical clinic Concordia helped co-host. The clinic had 525 volunteers serve 375 people free health care worth $282,000 compared to 2023, where the clinic had 400 volunteers serve 335 people worth $183,000.
“History would suggest that might be something that is a regularity in Concordia’s mission to serve this community,” Grady said. “At this recent (clinic), they had folks in line 12 hours ahead of time to receive free medical services. Talk about stepping up and filling a need in the community.”
BC3 President Megan Coval addresses the audience during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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BC3 president Megan Coval thanked Concordia for its contribution to the community at large, and also for its collaboration with the college toward the Shaffer School of Nursing.
“Their work reminds us that… you don’t have to change the whole world to make an impact. Just change the community and the people around you,” Coval said.
State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st; a representative from state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th; and a representative for U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, presented legislative citations to Concordia.
“I couldn’t think of a better word than to call (Concordia) community champions because they love the people of this community,” Hutchinson said.
Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Keith Frndak, left, shakes hands with state Sen. Scott Hutchinson during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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During his speech, Frndak thanked SaraBeth Swain for her work with the Remote Area Medical clinic.
“There’s people that are the rocks, the anchors that always make it happen,” Frndak said. “I want to ask someone to stand up who’s been a rock for the RAM clinic that really is essential to making the RAM clinic work.”
Swain said after the ceremony that it was nice to receive recognition for the clinic, which took a year’s worth of planning.
Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Keith Frndak, center, stands alongside other guests of the Community Champion Luncheon while holding the Community Champion award at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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“I think the most moving part of this year was arriving at the parking lot early in the morning Saturday, around 4 a.m., and seeing it half full,” she said.
Frndak said while Concordia tries to keep a lower profile, it was nice to be recognized by the community it has been a part of for 144 years and counting.
“It’s just nice to know that the community sees us and the work we’re doing,” he said. “We’ve been doing this for a long time.”
During his speech, he also noted the work of the other mission teams and employees across the organization.
“They build houses. They take trips to do things and fix things and they also sponsor and essentially make the RAM clinic happen,” Frndak said. “This takes many, many, many volunteers and lots and lots of time to pull together.”
Attendees of the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3 enjoy food from Back Home BBQ & Brew Co., Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jordan Grady confers with Tyler Skidmore about how long Skidmore's business, Back Home BBQ & Brew Co., has been in operation during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler County Chamber of Commerce president Jordan Grady speaks during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Keith Frndak, left, receives a citation from Mark Burd on behalf of state Rep. Marci Mustello during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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SaraBeth Swain with Concordia Lutheran Ministries stands up after being recognized for her work with the RAM Clinic during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Don Kovach with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce stands up after being recognized for his work during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler Township Commissioner Edward Natali blesses the meal before lunch is served during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler County Chamber of Commerce president Jordan Grady shows off his Concordia Lutheran Ministries socks during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Keith Frndak, left, receives a citation from Mark Burd on behalf of state Rep. Marci Mustello during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler County Chamber of Commerce president Jordan Grady, left, talks about the story behind how Tyler Skidmore, right, found his way back to Butler to start Back Home BBQ & Brew Co. during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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State Sen. Scott Hutchinson reads a citation to be awarded to Concordia Lutheran Ministries during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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BC3 President Megan Coval addresses the audience during the Community Champion Luncheon at BC3, Friday, Nov. 14. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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