The nominations are in and the winner has been decided. Now it's all a matter of presentation.
On Nov. 8, the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry (WCCBI) will honor an individual for her dedication to improving the world around her.
This year, WCCBI's Community Service award will be given to Linda Keverline.
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Linda Keverline
Keverline, according to nomination letters provided by WCCBI, is being chosen for her service in a number of local organizations.
Keverline has volunteered her time with the American Cancer Society for more than 15 years. She has served as the Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program coordinator working to provide free transportation for cancer treatment to patients in and around Warren County. She has also served as a Volunteer Leadership Council member, and served for two years as council president. She is currently council mission chair. Keverline also serves as Cancer Society office volunteer coordinator recruiting, training and scheduling society volunteers. She also serves as Daffodil Days chairperson and has overseen yearly increases in fundraising totals from the event. This year, she is serving as the Relay for Life registration chairperson.
"She is definitely our 'go to' person," according to a nomination letter from the American Cancer Society Warren Unit. "For over 15 years, the heart and soul of the Warren Unit of the American Cancer Society. Linda's dedication to our mission is driven by her unwavering commitment to those battling cancer. Above all, Linda is wonderful with people. The relationships that she builds and maintains are the core of her success, and help the mission of the American Cancer Society flourish in Warren County."
In addition to her work with the American Cancer Society, Keverline has served as a Warren General Hospital Auxiliary Board member for eight years. During that time, according to a nomination letter from Warren General Hospital Compliance Officer and General Counsel Jodi Bevevino, she has devoted 1,131 hours of service. Keverline has served as auxiliary bookkeeper, chaired the invitations committee of the auxiliary fundraiser gala, organized community outreach flu vaccine clinics and worked with the auxiliary's home alert system.
Keverline also established the Linda and Paul Keverline Medical Scholarship in memory of her late husband Dr. Paul O. Keverline. The scholarship benefits local students pursuing a career in medicine. Keverline reviews applications, conducts interviews and chooses the recipients of the award.
"Linda's contributions to our community involve the sort of behind-the-scenes efforts that are seldom publicly acknowledged," Bevevino said in the nomination letter. "Her contributions are also of the sort that we cannot do without."
Keverline also volunteers her time with the Circle Eight Square Dance Club and the Jefferson-Defrees Family Center.
Winners of the award are chosen by past award recipients. There is no requirement that an award be given each year.
According to material provided by WCCBI, to be eligible for the award:
The candidate must have lived in Warren County for at least ten years.
The candidate must have made a contribution to the community over and above his or her professional duties.
Their must be a reasonable expectation that the candidate will remain in Warren after receiving the award in order to provide continuity, inspiration and example.
There should be an indication that the candidate will continue his or her past service activities.
The candidate should be of such stature as to keep the award prestigious in nature and a complement to past and present recipients.
The candidate should be respected and recognized throughout the community.
The importance of at least one contribution must be considered and the service rendered be varied.
"I feel fortunate that I am able to spend time volunteering in our community. It has become an important part of my life. This, volunteering, is my 'warm fuzzie'. I feel very humble about being chosen," Keverline said. "But also deeply appreciative of the honor."
The award will be presented at WCCBI's Celebration of Excellence Gala, which will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Struthers Library Theater. According to WCCBI's website, business excellence, tourism excellence and young professional of the year awards will also be given at the event. Further information on the event is available on WCCBI's website.