Greater Chapin Community Endowment Awards First Philanthropy Awards
Staff Report From Columbia CEO
Tuesday, February 19th, 2019
Greater Chapin Community Endowment (GCCE) awarded the inaugural Chapin Philanthropy Awards during their annual Groundhog Valentine’s Ball on the evening of February 2, Groundhog Day. The awards, named for two key founders of GCCE, honored community members who are making a difference in the Greater Chapin area.
The Louetta Slice Philanthropist of the Year Award was presented to Ken Loveless for his outstanding contributions of time, talent, and treasure to our community. In addition to donating thousands of dollars to various community groups and donating land for the future Chapin Theatre, Ken shows he cares through his actions. Ken volunteers his time teaching math to community members who are non-native English speakers and sponsors families and children at Christmas and throughout the year. The award was presented by Tim Slice, son of Louetta Slice.
The Chapin High School Academic Leadership Academy (ALA) was awarded the Bud Lewandowski Youth Philanthropist of the Year Award. ALA was selected for their overwhelming hours of service—3,500 this academic year--and their situational leadership in the community. While completing a rigorous academic program, these students purposefully give of their time and energy in order to build up the entire community of which they are a part. ALA students serve in their local community in a variety of ways, including after school tutoring, animal shelter work, church outreach and trash pickup. Several representatives from the student group and Lisa Maylath, ALA Program Director, accepted the award from Pat Lewandowski, wife of Bud, and Jennifer Perritt, GCCE Board Chair.
In additional to being honored at the Groundhog Valentine’s Ball, the award winners each received a $1,000 donation in their name to a Greater Chapin area nonprofit of their choice. The donations went to Chapin Good Samaritan Clinic, selected by ALA, and Chapin Theatre Company, chosen by Ken Loveless.
The Annual Groundhog Valentine’s Ball was resurrected from a previous tradition of earlier GCCE boards. Guests enjoyed a beautiful indoor-outdoor evening that included dancing to music by the Carl Payne Big Band, dining by Chef Sheila Veach, a dance lesson by Elite Ballroom Academy, and a specialty “Chapin Chapstick” drink provided by Chapin Liquor. Chapin Theatre Company’s Youth Troup, “The Headliners,” entertained our guests with delightful song and dance numbers about love.
Several generous sponsors made the evening possible, including the Law Office of Laura H. Huggins, LLC, Lee and Smoke Matthews, and EXIT Midlands Realty. Proceeds from the event will be used to build the endowment fund and to provide matching funds for Greater Chapin area nonprofits participating in Midlands Gives on May 7, 2019.