GRC recognizes, vision, legacy and youthful inspiration
Although she was accepting the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Visionary Award Thursday night, Jennifer Carota was already looking for the 2017 awardee.
“The 2017 Visionary Award is up for grabs,” Carota said during the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce’s Recognition Dinner in the Willow Room in Rostraver Township.
“Will it be one of you? I challenge you all to find your inner visionary. Be inspired. Be the change.”
Along with Carota, the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce honored The Keystone Bakery/J.J Georgagis with the Legacy Award and Casey Clark/Off the Wall Arts with the Young Professional of the Year Award.
Carota even predicted that Clark would be a future Visionary Award winner.
The event began as the Founders Day Dinner in 1975. At that time, it was held by the Rostraver Business Association to recognize those who worked to build the chamber and support the surrounding communities.
In 2009, Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce began honoring a business and an organization at the event. The GRC combined the Founders Day Dinner with additional recognition of a business or organization that actively contributes to the surrounding communities.
Jennifer Carota opened The Counseling House five years ago. A licensed professional counselor, Carota treats women, children and families dealing with mental health issues. She has a team of five additional therapist at The Counseling House.
Today, it is located on Broad Avenue in North Belle Vernon.
Mary Esther Antol, vice president of the chamber, introduced Carota. She noted Carota’s voluntary work with Records for a Reason, a charity that sells old music records. She is also involved with the Puppy Connection, a dog rescue organization in Washington, Pa. And she is lead social media consultant for the Healthy Transitions, a behavioral health agency that targets teens who might “fall through the cracks.”
Carota said she was sharing the award with those who were honoring her.
“Although my portfolio is diverse, there is one common thread — our network of smart, caring, compassionate people who inspired me along the way. It’s you,” Carota said.
Carota teared up as she thanked, “my daddy in heaven.”
“Thank you for letting me grow into the woman I am today,” Carota said.
Carota said she loved her work and her husband for his support.
“Thank you God for blessing me more than I deserve,” Carota said.
Georgagis’ children Anastasia, 11, Athena, 13, and Niko, 9, introduced their father.
Georgagis said he considered it an honor to have Keystone Bakery to be considered a legacy.
“Obviously I haven’t been there all 90 years,” Georgagis said.
He recognized his uncle John Croussouloudis, from whom Georgagis and his wife, Missy, bought the bakery in 2007.
“He made the bakery what it is today,” Georgagis said. “He had it for 49 years. That’s a big chunk of the legacy. Thank you Uncle John. You did a great job.”
He also called his wife, Missy, the “motivation behind the bakery.”
Georgagis said two employees have more than 40 years of service and two others have been with the bakery for more than 30 years.
“How many businesses can say they have that much dedication?” Georgagis said. “Without our employees, the great people of the valley … that’s what makes the bakery successful.”
Tanya Chaney, introducing Clark, called her friend “an epitome of what a young professional is.” She said Clark dreamed of making enough money to afford to take her children to Disney World. She said Clark’s small business Off The Wall Art in Charleroi grew from a smolder to a blazing fire of success. In the interim, the business has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities hosting sip and paint parties.
Clark said she has followed her dream and love of art that she credited her mother with instilling her at a young age.
Clark thanked “everyone who paints with me.”
Clark said as the community has supported the community, She tries to support the community. She is a member of Team Charleroi, Leadership Washington County — which is exceeding its goal of raising $8,3000 and collecting 8,300 pounds of food for the Greater Washington County Food Bank.
She called Carota amazing and added, “J.J. and Missy, I love your cake, I can’t lie.”
Then Clark concluded by revealing why she was on the stage Thursday night.
“It’s because I followed my dream,” Clark said. “It’s never too late. Keep moving forward, it’s important.
“And follow your inner artist.”