Chamber, Kiwanis team for awards ceremony

Little Leaps of Faith, Business of the Year.
Little Leaps of Faith, Business of the Year.
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The Milford Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club of Milford pooled resources for a luncheon at Pizza Kitchen on Sept. 25, where both institutions presented awards to fellow community members.

Kiwanis President Mitch Kubicek gave the welcoming address and reiterated how important the dedication and volunteerism the Kiwanis Club shows is to the community that they serve. He cited words by University of Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos, who said “Nebraska needs the Cornhuskers, but the Huskers also need Nebraska.” He felt the same way about the Kiwanis and its relationship to Milford.

Kubicek mentioned charity and meal-sharing events over the past year, as well as the potential for new playground equipment and a “Socktober” charity event that would send pairs of socks to the People's City Mission.

Because of the numerous postponements the pandemic caused, Kiwanis Club members decided to retain officers another year.

The Kiwanis Club chose “Lunches of Love” as the recipient of its 2020 Distinguished Service Award. That program started as a sack lunch service every Wednesday and expanded into sack lunches and hot meals delivered to kids at Milford Public Schools.

“Milford Kiwanis members appreciate your dedication to this project and your willingness to promote and facilitate it weekly,” Kubicek said. “Your consideration of these kids for not only the meals, but the valuable socialization opportunity they experienced is important to what Kiwanis represents.”

A second Distinguished Service Award was presented to Jay Dunlap as a surprise. Dunlap received the award for designing, planting and maintaining the Milford City Entrance Garden Area.

“Our Milford Kiwanis members appreciate your dedication to our project and your willingness to take it over, fund it and maintain it each year,” Kubicek said. “We know you have put countless hours into this garden and Kiwanis is proud of your work and leadership as our master gardener.”

Dunlap accepted his award and said he'd pay to continue garden upkeep.

The Milford Chamber of Commerce, led by Vice President Dennis Sugden, then presented its three awards: Individual of the Year, Business of the Year and Student of the Year.

Milford graduate and current Concordia University student Maddie Wittstruck was named Student of the Year for her commitment and dedication to education, goals and character. She was the recipient of the 2018-19 Academic Excellence Award, 2018-19 Outstanding Spanish Student Award and 2019-20 Academic Distinction Award while in Milford while also competing in track and field and cheerleading. She's continued her cheerleading career with a double major in pre-med and biology at Concordia. Wittstruck was not present to receive her award because of her class schedule.

“Your passion, honesty and personality have served you well, and your future success is eminent,” Sugden said.

Little Leaps of Faith was awarded the Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year for its commitment, passion and care for children. Little Leaps of Faith has continued through the pandemic and recently celebrated its 20th year of helping build a foundation for young people in a physical, mental and spiritual sense.

“Our community is fortunate to have such a daycare facility and option for parents,” Sugden said. “We realize that it is increasingly difficult to maintain Little Leaps because of the regulations and ever-increasing costs. Your enthusiasm and commitment to Little Leaps and the kids are to be commended.”

Finally, Milford Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Wingard was presented with the Individual of the Year Award for his commitment and dedication to the school and its students. Wingard was present through video chat, as he was quarantining from first-hand exposure to someone who tested positive for coronavirus. Because Wingard was deemed an essential worker, he was serving his quarantine from his school office during the school day.

“Our community appreciates your dedication to preserving the well-being of each individual student in keeping them safe supported academically, socially and emotionally,” Sugden said. “We appreciate your passion for student's best interest, while also having an eye on the big picture for the school district and patrons. You are truly an advocate for kids.”