Chamber Award Winners
Jim and Monica Hughes have been named the Citizens of the Year by the Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
The couple will be honored at the chamber’s annual Betterment and Beautification Dinner and Awards program on March 11 at The Fountains Ballroom.
Cassie Ford is the chamber’s Junior Citizen of the Year. Other reward recipients include Jane Susgin (Good Neighbor Award), the Konfrst Trash Services (Customer Service of the Year), Cohron Ready Mix (Business Improvement of the Year), the Mills County Relay For Life Committee (Organization of the Year), and the Malvern Area Betterment Association (Community Improvement Award).
Citizen of the Year
Jim and Monica Hughes are being recognized for contributions to their church and the Glenwood community.
At Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, they teach religious education to high school seniors and take them on outings throughout the year. Monica Hughes is in charge of the church’s Eucharistic Adoration program that involves the coordination of 200 people that devote an hour of prayer each week. Jim Hughes is a member of the church’s finance committee.
On homecoming weekend, Jim Hughes Real Estate hosts a free community carnival for children on their business parking lot. Their parking lot is also used throughout the year by youth and civic groups for car washes and other fundraisers.
Jim and Monica Hughes have also been longtime supporters of Mills County 4-H, the Mills County Fair, youth athletic programs and the Glenwood Booster Club.
Junior Citizen of the Year
Cassie Ford is the daughter of Mark and Sherry Ford. She is a student at Glenwood Community High School.
She’s involved in a variety of community service programs and projects through her school, church and 4-H.
At school, she’s been an active leader for the Reach/SADD chapter, a group dedicated to promoting positive choices to fellow high school students. She’s a member of the band and plays on both the volleyball and golf teams.
Her community service resume is extensive, including working for the Mills County Coalition, the Ronald McDonald House, Micah House, Glenwood Town Square Clean-up and local food drives for the Mills County Storehouse and food pantry. She’s also been involved in fundraisers for the American Cancer Society and other causes.
She’s been extremely involved in 4-H where she’s served as president of her club, the Wabash Wranglers, and has worked on various committees, including the Mills County Youth Committee, Area Council and Leadership Council. She’s won numerous awards and ribbons in 4-H and has represented her county at the Iowa State Fair.
Good Neighbor of the Year
Jane Susgin and her husband, Fred, have been Mills County residents since 1997.
Since moving to Mills County, Susgin has been a tireless volunteer for the Animal Relief Fund for a Shelter (ARFS), the precursor organization for the Loess Hills Humane Society (LHHS).
Through her work in these organizations, she has promoted the humane treatment and care of animals and played an instrumental role in securing a location and funding for the Loess Hills Humane Society animal shelter south of Glenwood. Her efforts with ARFS and LHHS included setting up and assisting with clinics for vaccinating and microchipping companion animals and setting up a spay/neuter program for low-income households.
Customer Service of The Year
Known for going “above and beyond,” the Konfrst “Boys” - Fred, Mel, Steve and Marvin - have provided reliable trash hauling service to the Glenwood area for decades.
They’re known for the pride they take in keeping their community clean and carrying out their duties in a conscientious and timely manner, even if the normal collection day falls on a holiday or during adverse weather conditions.
Business Improvement Award
Cohron Ready Mix is being recognized for the $1.5 million renovation of its plant in Glenwood.
The rebuild of the plant started in March and was wrapped up by the end of summer. The plant opened in Glenwood in 1972.
Organization of the Year
Since the start of the annual Mills County Relay For Life more than a decade ago, over $823,000 has been raised for the American Cancer Society. In 2009, the event raised over $83,000.
In addition to raising funds for the fight against cancer, the Relay For Life Committee has promoted awareness, cancer detection and developed a community outreach program to identify recently-diagnosed cancer patients.
Community Improvement Award
The Malvern Area Betterment Association (MABA) has served as a driving force behind several initiatives and community enhancement projects. the organization has coordinated numerous events, including En Plein Air, Gateway To Chaos (haunted house), Festival of Trees and Maui in Malvern.
The organization has worked to make the Malvern community a destination of choice for visitors.
Brick and Mortar Award
Brick and Mortar Awards will be presented to The Fountains Ballroom and Glenwood Community High School. The Fountains Ballroom was rebuilt following a devastating fire and the new high school opened in August.