Photo provided to the Times Observer Piper VanOrd, second from left, has been selected to receive the Warren County’s Chamber of Business and Industry Community Service Award. She was nominated by Melinda Johnson, third from left. The award will be presented at the Chamber’s Celebration of Excellence Gala next month.

Piper VanOrd has been selected as the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry 2022 Community Service Award recipient.

She will be formally recognized along with many local businesses at the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry’s Celebration of Excellence Gala next month. The gala is set for Nov. 7 at the Woman’s Club.

Awards will also be presented in several other areas. The Lander Hope Clinic, Lonnie’s Pizza, Rocket Detailing and Straight-off-the-Block will be recognized for excellence in new business while Ekey’s Greenhouse and Warren General Hospital will be recognized for growth and expansion.

DewBot Properties, Midtown Motors and PA American Water are slated to be presented with awards for investment in the community, as well.

Milestone awards will include Mama Janes (one year), Cameron Energy (10 years), Senior Helpers (20 years), Kiwanis Club and Ruth M. Smith Center (100 years), Gaughn’s Drug Store (105 years) and the Rouse Estate (160 years).

But the headliner of the evening will be the Community Service Award.

VanOrd was nominated by Melinda Johnson, executive director of the Jefferson DeFrees Family center.

“The two words that best describe Piper are ‘servant leadership,’ as penned by one of her admirers,” Johnson wrote in her nomination. “Her tireless and selfless giving to Warren County and the beautiful outdoors we call home are admirable.”

Johnson highlighted her tourism work, talks with the Warren County Historical Society, downtown Warren website development, publications and efforts with the Allegheny River Clean-up among other volunteer efforts.

“Piper promotes local business growth and collaboration in downtown Warren, while being cognizant of the maintaining of our natural beauty and green space,” Johnson added. “I have heard firsthand from the other tenants of the current building that Allegheny Outfitters occupies that without Piper’s hard work and determination, the building as we know it may have not come to fruition.”

Johnson also highlighted VanOrd’s recent humanitarian work with Ukrainians.

“As the date approaches for her second trip to Ukraine (LETTER DATED OCT. 3), it is humbling indeed to learn of the work she puts into this effort of gathering and delivering critical supplies, mostly medical, but also things like wheelchairs and diapers,” Johnson wrote. “She is responsible for the official launch of a community center. He work has benefitted hundreds of women and children.”

Five additional individuals wrote letters in support of VanOrd’s nomination for the award.

“Piper’s hard work and positive energy and love for Warren and all the people of Warren County is what makes her a perfect candidate for this community service award,” Holly LeMeur said.

“Piper has been a leader for the Warren County development of the riverfront, working with and coordinating with local, regional and national leaders,” Douglas Hearn added. “Without Piper’s servant leadership, Warren County would have to work harder to achieve the greatness that we are about to experience in our future.”

The Community Service Award was first presented to Judge Alexander Flick and has been awarded every year except 1975 and 2020.

Recipients since 2010 include Pat Evans, John Hanna, Linda Keverline, Murray McComas, Bob Sokolski, Olivia Sechriest, Jean Walker, Dan Glotz, Lincoln Sokolski, Thad Turner, Ash Khare and Gary and Penny Lester.