As volunteers go, there are differences between the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry’s two 2021 Community Service Award Winners.

Ash Khare is a “heavy hitter” among volunteers. His knowledge of government and those in it has brought millions of dollars to Warren County projects.

Penny and Gary Lester have “wrapped the community in caring and loving arms.” Their “hands are always working.”

They bring different things to the table, but they are all ambassadors for the community.

Over the years, Khare has participated and advised in many local projects, helping to deliver millions of dollars in grants, tax credits, and low-interest loans.

“For over 40 years, without fail, Ash Khare has been the go-to guy in Warren for projects that need significant state funding or support,” Hank LeMeur said in his letter of support.

There was a $1.5 million match from the Gov. Tom Ridge administration toward the original War Memorial Field renovation, a $1 million grant and $10 million in low-interest loans for the Brokenstraw Township sewage treatment plant, and, more recently, $500,000 for the purchase of the PNC Bank building.

“It was Ash Khare’s volunteerism, political savvy, and diligence that opened the door for Struthers Library Theatre to apply for and receive over $800,000 in funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits,” Marcy O’Brien said in her letter of support. “This funding was pivotal in supporting our endeavor. We truly applaud his dedication.”

Ash reflected on his first major project in the community. “In life, the first project is always the memorable project,” he said.

The Warren Sports Boosters outlined a War Memorial Field renovation of $50,000. “I said, ‘Can you make it big? I can get you money from the state,'” Ash said.

Later, he spoke with the boosters again. They had the project up to $75,000.

“Can you make it $3 million?” he asked. “He literally fell off his chair. He said, ‘How are we going to get $3 million?'”

Ash said not to worry about it. “I’ll get you $1.5 million from the governor and I’ll help you raise the rest.”

So, he and the boosters went around to companies, asking them for pledges of $300,000 over three years, contingent upon receipt of $1.5 million in state dollars.

It wasn’t hard to get companies to sign on. It was a worthy project and no one thought the dollars would come through, he said. They did. Because Ash had connections.

“The simple thing is this, this whole American system… works on relationships,” Ash said. “When Tom Ridge got elected (governor), I was there in Erie. He said, ‘Ash, give me a resume, I want you in my administration.'”

Ash was working at National Forge. He turned it down. “I said, ‘Governor, I don’t need a job from you, but, I’m going to bring to projects to you and you cannot say no.'”

When he approached Ridge about funding for War Memorial, he couldn’t say no.

In the end, the boosters and Ash gave Ridge a #10 Warren Dragons jersey, and got him on the field playing football before he cut the ribbon.

He has stories like that one for each of the projects he has participated in over the years.

Ash is not like the others on the list of the Community Service Award winners, he said. “When Jim Decker and I talked yesterday, I said, ‘Decker you made a mistake.'”

“If you take a look at all the prior award winners, all those people have worked on committees in Warren County,” he said. “I haven’t done anything like that. If you take it back, I won’t feel bad about it.”

“Gary and Penny Lester are the epitome of what being a Warren County citizen should be,” according to the Rev. Jeff Ewing’s nomination letter. “They work tirelessly for the betterment of our community.”

“Penny and Gary have wrapped me, my family, and the whole Warren Community in their caring and loving arms,” Ewing said. “Together, they wholeheartedly put themselves into every task and organization that they serve with… and, most importantly, light up an entire room with their contagious humor.”

“There is no couple more dedicated to our social foundations, or the kindness required to inspire an entire community,” he said. “If you ask either one of the Lesters to volunteer, they are usually the first to start the project.”

Both Penny and Gary have become involved in projects much more since retiring.

“During my work career, I worked long days and traveled a great deal, and so had to say ‘no’ to so many worthy projects and organizations,” Penny said. “I promised myself that when I was lucky enough to retire, I would start saying ‘yes.'”

“What makes me tick has roots in my job at the newspaper,” Gary said. “I got to cover so many interesting things, but staff was discouraged from getting too involved lest it look like favoritism.”

“When I left the paper, I got involved in a lot of things, too many, in fact, to allow for adequate involvement. It took a while to learn to be careful about that,” he said. “But along the way, it is so interesting, exciting, engaging, and fun to meet people who are passionate about what they do. Great to get caught up in others’ enthusiasm and help and encourage them a little.”

“My favorite project is whatever one I am immersed at the present because that is where my heart and focus are,” she said. “Actually, I like the projects that I can work on quietly, behind the scenes, and help move them along.”

The Community Service Award is not exactly “behind the scenes.”

“The award is humbling and a little embarrassing and uncomfortable,” Gary said. “Better to do what you do ‘under the radar.'”

From Women’s Outdoor Workshops (WOW), Second Harvest Food Bank distributions, Little Free Libraries, the Turkey Trot, Front Porch Days, to their efforts at First Lutheran Church, including with the origins of the Warren County School District Backpack Program, Friends of the Rouse, documenting local events, and Moments on Target, the Lesters’ “fingerprints are on much of what makes Warren County such a special place,” Ewing said.

“For over 40 years, Ash has volunteered his time and extensive energy to his community,” Gray said. “I know there are many stellar volunteers working for Warren who would be deserving recipients of the Community Service Award from WCCBI, but I know of no one who has served — and continues to serve — Warren in such enduring and impactful ways over such a significant span of time as Ash Khare.”

“Ash Khare comes to the top of my list of Warren County residents who have fully lived the American dream,” Commissioner Ben Kafferlin said in his letter of support. “He started with nothing and achieved great stature — in the Commonwealth as a political leader and serving as an elector in presidential elections. He has orchestrated numerous community projects helping the residents of Warren County in many ways.”

“Underneath the occasionally loud, hyperbolic exterior of Ash is a strong yet tender, forceful yet caring man full of advice – whether solicited or not – who throws himself in when he sees a need,” Kafferlin said.

“I hope your committee sees that the Lesters are truly an irreplaceable jewel in this county,” Jessica Arnold said in her letter of support. “The promote everything – the churches, regional community college, Leadership Warren, fairs, arts, music, and so much more. They are truly two of the most selfless people I know.”

“You see, it’s not the big things that make Gary and Penny worthy of the Community Service Award,” Ewing said. “It’s the so-called ‘little’ things: treating others with respect, caring, reaching out to make people’s lives and the community’s life better. They are Warren County’s greatest ambassadors.”

“I think anyone can find things that are rewarding, helpful and fun if they look around a little,”

Gary said. “We hear: ‘There’s nothing to do around here.’ Really?”

Regarding why he helps, Ash cited philanthropist Lewis Katz.

“There is never a perfect day until you do something for someone knowing fully well that they cannot repay you,” he said. “That is what I believe in. When I drive by War Memorial Field, Struthers Library Theatre, the PNC Bank building, Brokenstraw sewer plant, I have a perfect day.”