These 6 Peoria small businesses and leaders are honored for vision, community service

JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star
·3 min read
Former U.S. Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood gives the keynote address at the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Former U.S. Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood gives the keynote address at the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
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Civic and business leaders were celebrated Thursday at the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce's 48th annual Thanksgiving luncheon where former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood delivered a speech on the importance of fostering a new generation of leaders in Peoria.

LaHood said Peoria is a city "blessed with so many creative and talented people" and there was no better place in the world than Peoria and the heart of Illinois.

"The world may seem upside down," LaHood said. "Our community, though, is right side up."

Speaking to a room packed, LaHood stressed the importance of people being "mentors" for the next generation of Peoria leaders.

"We have to continue the progress we have made in good times and in bad times by lifting each other up," LaHood said. "... Mentoring is the most important part of leadership."

Chamber of Commerce hands out 2023 community leadership, business awards

Joshua Gunn, President and CEO of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, hosts the organization's annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Joshua Gunn, President and CEO of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, hosts the organization's annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Central to the Chamber of Commerce's annual Thanksgiving Luncheon is the issuance of small business and leadership awards in Peoria.

This year, the Chamber gave out awards for:

  • Athena Woman of the Year

  • Community Wealth Award

  • Outstanding Small Business (1-25 employees)

  • Outstanding Small Business (26-150 employees)

  • Tom Connor Service Award

  • Above and Beyond Award

Here were the winners:

Lari LaBello, Athena Woman of the Year

Lari LaBello, the assistant director of Illinois Central College's nursing program, accepts her Athena Woman of the Year during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Lari LaBello, the assistant director of Illinois Central College's nursing program, accepts her Athena Woman of the Year during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Lari LaBello was recognized and named the Athena Woman of the Year for her contributions to training the next generation of nurses at Illinois Central College.

LaBello, the assistant director of ICC's nursing program, works with over 500 students each year and is known for her ability to get the best out of each of them.

A single mother and first-generation college student, LaBello dedicated her award and acceptance speech to "those trying to find their way when the way was not afforded to them."

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Lifeline Pilots, Community Wealth Award

Lifeline Pilots executive director Lindsey Kerr accepts the Community Wealth Award for the non-profit during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Lifeline Pilots executive director Lindsey Kerr accepts the Community Wealth Award for the non-profit during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The Community Wealth Award is given to a non-profit that is considered to have greatly improved the quality of life in the community by assisting others. This year, Lifeline Pilots was given the award.

Lifeline Pilots offers free flights to people who need to be flown for non-emergency medical reasons and humanitarian calls.

"Our vision is a world where everyone has equal access to health care," said Lifeline Pilots executive director Lindsey Kerr.

Theo's Ice Cream, Outstanding Small Business (1-25)

Theo's Ice Cream was given the award for its contributions to the Peoria community. Theo's Ice Cream was unable to be present to accept the award.

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Center for Prevention of Abuse, Outstanding Small Business (26-150)

Carol Merna, executive director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse, accepts the award for Outstanding Small Business (26-150) during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Carol Merna, executive director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse, accepts the award for Outstanding Small Business (26-150) during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse was given its award for its fostering of a "safe and peaceful Peoria community" and, in particular, its work in preventing and educating others about human trafficking.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse has worked a campaign to educate Peoria school students about empathy, healthy relationships, conflict resolution and the warning signs of human trafficking.

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, Tom Connor Service Award

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth accepts the Tom Connor Service Award for outstanding community service during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth accepts the Tom Connor Service Award for outstanding community service during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, was given the Tom Connor Service, which is dedicated to former WEEK-TV anchor Tom Connor.

Gordon-Booth said she is a "proud daughter of Peoria" and everything she does in the General Assembly is done with benefitting Peoria in mind.

"Find your why," Gordon-Booth told the crowd. "I love you, Peoria. You believed in a young woman, 25 to 26 years old, who wanted to represent you."

Diamond Medical Staffing, Above and Beyond Award

Kendrick Wyatt, far left, founder of Diamond Medical Staffing, accepts the Above and Beyond Award from another successful Peoria business presenting the award, Sun Collectors, during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Kendrick Wyatt, far left, founder of Diamond Medical Staffing, accepts the Above and Beyond Award from another successful Peoria business presenting the award, Sun Collectors, during the annual Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Diamond Medical Staffing has been instrumental in connecting Peoria's ever important health care industry with employees.

Although relatively new to the area, Chamber of Commerce CEO Joshua Gunn said Diamond Medical Staffing has made an impact in Peoria immediately.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce issues 2023 business, leader awards