WORTHINGTON — Jacoba Nagel was presented with the FORWARD Worthington Community Service Award during Friday’s annual FORWARD Worthington Extravaganza at Lerma’s Event Center.
The Community Service Award is the 50th to be given, acknowledging people who have contributed years of service for the improvement of the Worthington area community.
To be chosen for the honor, a person must contribute time, talent and resources to not just the Chamber of Commerce or FORWARD, but to other organizations, too, and they must be recognized by fellow citizens as a respected leader within the community.
Nagel has assisted youth and older adults in the community, as well as volunteered many hours at the Nobles County Historical Society and with local service clubs. She has also spent numerous hours decorating for the holiday season, bringing joy and cheer to many.
"This award has been presented annually since 1973," said Jeri Schettler, executive director of Client Community Services, Inc., in Worthington, who presented the award to Nagel.
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"Thank you. I'm shocked. I'm kind of at a loss for words," Nagel said, praising the community for helping her and her son during a challenging time in their lives. "So many people helped us at that time, whether it was monetary or doing various things for us."
She said her volunteering and service with various boards and groups was her way of giving back to her community.
Worthington Hospitality Award
Melissa Gehl, chief marketing officer at Leading Edge Credit Union and a member of the FORWARD Worthington board, presented the Worthington Hospitality Award to Cooperative Energy Company.
The award, Gehl said, honors a local business that exemplifies the commitment to total quality customer service, and in order to receive it, FORWARD must receive an unsolicited call or letter about the exceptional service someone has seen or witnessed. The action must demonstrate the winner’s willingness to go above and beyond for customer satisfaction.
In this case, FORWARD received a letter with the following story: On Dec. 1, a car slid up and over the curb at the corner of Second Avenue and Lake Street, near the bike bridge in Worthington. As the driver was trying to get unstuck, a truck stopped to lend a hand, grabbing a shovel to help move snow, and even helping push the vehicle while the driver tried to reverse.
When the car didn’t move, the truck driver went to the shop to get a chain to pull the vehicle out, returning with a helper in another truck. The two — Philip Clarke and Smitty Ektnitphong — hooked the chain to the car and pulled it out of the snowbank, not thinking twice about stopping to lend a hand to someone in need.
"Well, you know it's a given, you know. You see people in trouble, you just stop," Ektnitphong said, as he accepted the award on behalf of the cooperative, adding that he'd benefited from other people helping him out in the past too. "Everywhere you go, you've just got all these helping hands."
Friend of Education Award
Mark Vis, president of First State Bank Southwest and vice chairman of FORWARD Worthington, presented the Friend of Education Award to Greg Raymo.
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In order to earn the award, an individual or nonprofit must visit classes as a volunteer speaker, provide expertise or information to staff or students, or conduct tours for classes.
Raymo has volunteered in District 518 schools, coached basketball, and shared a positive attitude, cooperative skills “and a big heart that impacts the community.” He is committed, dedicated and has leadership skills, Vis said, serving on many boards, councils and committees.
Vis said Raymo believes strongly in giving back and stepping forward, and is coaching a basketball team and inspiring the next generation.
"Thank you very much. This means a lot to me. I've got a daughter and a daughter-in-law in our school district and I can't say enough about the education our kids are getting," Raymo said, as he accepted his award. "... our education system here is excellent, and sometimes we don't give it the credit it deserves."
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