Fayette Chamber announces award winners
The Fayette Chamber of Commerce will honor Thelma Carlow Sandy with a lifetime Achievement Award, John McDermott with the Citizen of the Year Award, and Steve Neubauer with the Herman M. Buck Award at the Chamber’s annual awards dinner on Dec. 5. The chamber periodically presents its Lifetime Achievement Award as a sincere expression of thanks to individuals who have given themselves unselfishly in service of business and the community over a lifetime. Sandy, a life-long resident has committed the majority of her life to improving the lives of others.
After graduating from The Uniontown Hospital School of Nursing, she began and has continued her entire career with The Uniontown Hospital, serving in various administrative roles.
In 1989, she moved from the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer to the president’s position in the newly formed Uniontown Hospital Foundation. While she continues to serve on a part-time basis, she spends an enormous amount of time volunteering for numerous community service efforts.
Sandy has contributed to many projects, including a school immunization program, a teenage sexual abstinence program and the Watchful Shepherd Program.
Among her many other activities, she serves on the following committees: chair of the Fayette County Community Health Improvement Partnership, co-chair of the Fayette Forward Social Conditions Task Force; president of LaFayette Manor Health Care Facility board of trustees, and board member of Penn State Fayette Campus, just to name a few.
The chamber’s awards program recognizes the efforts of volunteer community leaders. The Citizen of the Year award has been presented each over time for the betterment of the community, voluntarily and without compensation.
McDermott, this year’s awardee, has been a member of this community for more than 16 years, currently working in realty and as a sales manager at Mark IV Office Supplies.
His commitment to the community is evident in his service on the boards several non-profit organizations: he has served on the United Way Board and Allocations Committee and has served on the American Cancer Society Board for more than 12 years.
Under his chairmanship, the Cancer Society had consistently broken fundraising records for their Relay for Life event. He is also an active member of The Salvation Army board, where he has served as its chair.
The Herman M. Buck Award is presented to an individual under the age of 45 who has given his or her time and energy to community service, without remuneration. The award recognizes young community leadership, as exemplified by the late Herman M. Buck for whom the award was named.
Neubauer, the chamber’s selection for this award, is part of the third generation, running a family business that has been a fixture in Uniontown since 1921.
His resume includes being the youngest member ever to serve on the National FTD board. Other activities included chairman of the 1991 FTD Nation Rose Bowl Float Committee (taking top prize) and floral designer for President Clinton’s first Inauguration in 1992 at one of eight Inaugural balls.
Neubauer’s community involvement is also extensive. He currently serves on the Fayette Chamber’s board of directors, as well as on the board of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, the Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority and on the marketing and technology committee for the Extra Touch Force Association.
Neubauer and his wife Roberta, along with their two sons Joseph and Robert, are active members of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, where he has provided flowers for holidays such as Mother’s Day and Grandmother’s Day.