Butler Downtown hosted its annual public celebration Thursday night at Cornerstone Commons.

It honored businesses and volunteers and looked back at what was a transition year for the nonprofit that works to revitalize the city.

“It was a busy year,” said Tom Graham, president of the group. “We transitioned to an all-volunteer organization and what a feat.”

The organization late last year made the decision to continue without a paid Main Street manager due to reductions in state funding. That meant all the work was left to volunteers.

“I'm very proud of this board and their work to make Butler a better place to live, work and do business,” he said.

The nonprofit organized a variety of events throughout the year, including summer concerts and the farmer's markets at the West New Castle Street Plaza, Easter and Halloween events downtown for children, and an Up on the Roof fundraiser to watch fireworks.

Graham said one of the goals for 2016 is to establish a subcommittee to unite residents and business owners with their neighbors to improve safety and to keep the city clean.

He said he would like to see each city block have a leader to help organize efforts and to better the conditions on their block.

“There are ways to make it manageable,” he said.

Mayor Tom Donaldson said he would like to see Butler Downtown work more with the city redevelopment authority.

The authority lost its executive director in September and is unable to hire a new one because of a lack of funds.

Donaldson said the two bodies could team up and could possibly pay for a person to be a Main Street manager for the downtown group and the executive director of the authority.

“Volunteers get tired and have families,” he said. “They can get burned out. It would be nice to have a paid person who would always be there.”

The partnership also could increase the number of state grants the two groups could apply for.

Butler Downtown also handed out two annual awards. One was to Miller's Quality Meats, 142 N. Main St., which was named the business of the year.

“From the beginning Miller's Quality Meats has wanted to be a market on Main Street,” said Debra Matonak, owner. “Our mission now is to keep its legacy going.”

The business has been on Main Street for nearly half a century. It also recently added a production facility on West North Street.

“Butler downtown is being revitalized, and we're proud to be part of that,” Matonak said.

The second award went to Dean Selfridge, the volunteer of the year.

Selfridge, a city firefighter, said he has been volunteering with the group for about two years.

“I'm trying to give back to the community,” he said.

Selfridge was the leading organizer to bring the farmer's market to the West New Castle Street Plaza this summer, one of the group's most popular attractions.

He also helped with landscaping at the Becky Smith Memorial at the Little Red Schoolhouse on East Jefferson Street, and was co-chair man of the promotion's committee.

Bob Dandoy was honored as the past president of the organization.

Dandoy, who remains on its board of directors, said the nonprofit has made great strides in the city.

“The dedication is incredible,” he said of the board. “They spend countless hours of their time with no payoff other than making Butler a better place.”

Dandoy said the new restaurants and businesses opening downtown, along with the Centre City project, are evidence of the local economy improving.

“I know when government, business and volunteers come together, amazing things can happen,” he said.