Everett Brandon Roy, center, accepts the award for Butler Downtown's 2020 volunteer of the year, along with members of his team.

Businesses, individuals receive awards

By Eddie Trizzino

Eagle Staff Writer

Everett Brandon Roy spent more than 160 hours picking up trash around the city and beyond since early 2020 through his nonprofit, Butler Hip Hop and Rap Community. Lisa Helmbreck has volunteered at every event Butler Downtown has had this year, and eventually became part of its design committee.

Both individuals were honored by Butler Downtown at its annual meeting Wednesday evening, where officials recognized people making a difference in the city, and gave updates about its projects and developments.

In addition to Roy and Helmbreck, who were honored as 2020 and 2021 volunteer of the year, respectively, Butler Downtown recognized The Witchn' Kitchen as 2020 small business of the year and Downtown Bagel House as 2021 small business of the year. It also recognized the Butler County Chamber of Commerce with the 2020 economic impact award, and NexTier Bank with the 2021 economic impact award.

Butler Downtown also recognized its immediate past president, John Smith, with its leadership award, and Jim Taylor, the owner of Country Court Properties, for sticking with the city after a fire decimated some of his downtown buildings.

The organization did not have its annual meeting last year, so its members recognized award winners for both 2020 and 2021.

Butler Downtown president Jeff Geibel said the community is improved by people who put in the passion.

“Everything we do is driven by two things, volunteers and donations,” Geibel said. “It's our town, we all have a stake in things here.” Roy, the founder of Butler Hip Hop and Rap Community, said he started the nonprofit as a way to get people together for a safe and helpful way to improve the city.

“I am here to make sure that Butler is better,” Roy said. “I am sick and tired of hearing that Butler is trash, so we went out there and started picking up trash.”

Helmbreck had a short speech about her work, which she said evolved somewhat unexpectedly to put her on a committee with Butler Downtown.

“It's a really amazing group of people who are so dedicated to making Butler downtown great for the community,” she said. “I'm just really honored to be a part of that.”

The leadership team of Butler Downtown reported on some recent projects and events performed by different committees.

Butler Downtown vice president Audrianna Bly also chairs the organization committee, and said Butler Downtown was able to continue rallying support for volunteer projects throughout 2020 and early 2021, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Butler Downtown secretary Krista Washkau gave a report from the promotions committee, and said the organization was able to purchase new snowflake lights to display this winter due to community support and fundraising.

The Butler County Commissioners gave a toast to the members of Butler Downtown and the volunteers who helped in the organization's efforts.

Roy said in a speech at the meeting that he wants to see Butler gain evening activities that promote safe fun.

“We're trying to get kids out of the streets,” he said. “Trying to let people know there is something safe going on because there is nothing to do here at night.”