Perry Chamber names Progressive Foundry, Eileen Splendore business, volunteer of the year

The Perry Chamber's annual dinner returned on Tuesday, April 4 to help celebrate the past year’s successes and recognize the business and volunteer of the year recipients.

“It’s so nice to come together and celebrate the past year specifically and every year we’re continuing to grow and build on that momentum,” said Lynsi Pasutti, Executive Director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce. “You are all a part of that, as chamber members and community members, as business owners and managers. It’s all thanks to you that we can come together and celebrate.”

Some of the chamber’s accomplishments in 2022 included 19 ribbon cuttings, increased participation and attendance at community events like the Perry Farmers Market and Spooktacular, successful fundraisers with the first-ever 2nd Street Block Party, the return of the golf outing and fireworks drive and more.

In addition to looking back at some of the highlights from the past year, two awards were also given out to the business and volunteer of the year.

“Thank you to those who submitted nominations, it always makes for a very tough decision for us as a board,” said Cherie Welch, past president.

The first was the Jack Finneseth Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award, which is given to an individual that best embodies the spirit and passion Jack Finneseth had about volunteerism.

Welch said several nominations came in for the volunteer of the year award. The chamber board narrowed the nominees down to three finalists, Andrea Brownlee, Matt McDevitt and Eileen Splendore.

The 2022 Jack Finneseth Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award was then presented to Eileen Splendore. Welch said she was nominated for always looking out for the betterment of the organization she serves.

Welch added that Splendore puts numerous hours into volunteering as president of Perry Jr. Jays, board member of Perry youth baseball, a teacher at St. Pat’s religious Education class and as President of St. Patrick’s Home & School Board. She has also coached many youth activities as well as served on the Perry Chamber Board.

“If you have had the pleasure of working with Eileen on a board or other volunteer commitment, you know Eileen is a go-getter who strives for the success of the program,” Welch said. “She has a strong voice and is always looking out for the betterment of the organization, for the children involved, or the business she is working for. Perry is lucky to have Eileen as such an active community member.”

The Spirit of Perry Business of the Year Award was then handed out. The award celebrates a business that best embodies the spirit of the Perry Chamber of Commerce and the Perry community by serving as an example to others through their leadership, service and commitment.

Welch said they had numerous nominations come in for the business of the year and the board narrowed them down to three finalists: Bluejay Market, Hotel Pattee and Progressive Foundry.

The 2022 Spirit of Perry Business of the Year Award was then given to Progressive Foundry. Welch said Progressive Foundry was nominated for its continued growth and commitment to the Perry community.

More: Progressive Foundry celebrates recent expansion projects with ribbon cutting, community open house

“As witnessed at the Community Day and ribbon cutting for the final phase of its expansion last fall, Progressive Foundry has not only expanded their footprint for operations, but also created a safer and more visually appealing area surrounding their facilities,” Welch said. “With new offices, training room, and locker rooms, they have been able to grow and will continue to grow and retain their workforce into the future.”

The VanKirk family has been so supportive of so many community projects over the years, including the DMACC Career Academy, Raccoon River Valley and High Trestle Connector, Dewey Field Revitalization, Raccoon River Pet Rescue and countless others.

“Progressive Foundry has made such a positive impact and truly champions the ‘Spirit of Perry,’” Welch said.

“We’re privileged to be part of this community. Our intention is as long as the VanKirks are alive, we will be committed to this community,” Kirk VanKirk after receiving the business of the year award. “Thank you to the community of Perry for this honor.”

Welch congratulated this year’s nominees and award recipients.

“Thank you all again for everything you do for our community,” she added.

The annual dinner concluded with the Big Boom Bracket Battle Grand Finale. Deepak Nayyar, of Bluejay Market, faced off against Mandi Ballentine, of Acorns & Oaks Christian Daycare and Showtime Dance & Tumbling, as the grand finale duo. Nayyar raised around $615 to Ballentine’s $491 in the final round, earning him the honor of receiving a pie in the face.

The Big Boom Bracket Battle brought in nearly $6,000 for the Fourth of July fireworks drive. This year’s goal is $18,000 and a live radio pie auction was set for Wednesday morning. Upcoming fundraisers include grocery bill round-ups at Hy-Vee and Fareway and the Bucket Brigade during the Fourth of July parade.

“We’re grateful for all of the donations, this is a fun way to help celebrate the Fourth of July,” said Misty VonBehren, the chamber board president. “We appreciate all that you’ve done so we can celebrate and have a great Fourth of July this year.”

This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Perry Chamber hands out 2022 business, volunteer of the year awards