Lima YP hosts inaugural awards gala

Dec. 05--LIMA -- It was a black tie, red letter night Wednesday at the Ohio Theatre.

Lima Young Professionals held its inaugural Lima YP Black Tie Awards Gala, honoring members and supporters who have become exceptional young leaders in the Lima community.

"It's something we were wanting to do for quite a few years to recognize our YP members as well as influential buisnesses who are helping to guide our organization and different figures in the community," Lima YP program director Jacquelyn Beckner said.

Approximately 70 people reserved seating at this event, which also featured entertainment by local comedy troupe "Laughs in Middle America." This event not only highlighted young men and women making an impact in the realm of local business, but also professional men and women who have a passion for community development.

"We started the Love Lima community pride program about three or four years ago, and now we've finally been able to put together a Love Lima Award," Beckner said.

In this inaugural award ceremony, that award went to John Heaphy of Good Food Hospitality Management. In opening Old City Prime earlier this fall, Heaphy demonstrated to Lima Young Professionals that his company is committed to the Lima community.

"He is an outstanding individual who has done nothing but great things for the community, who lives and breathes Lima and Allen County, and it shows in everything he does," Beckner said.

This gala also gave area businesses a chance to put their best food forward, showing off what they have been able to accomplish.

"In putting this together, we've been able to shine some light on different businesses in our area," Beckner said.

One of the other major awards presented this evening was the Community Service Award, presented to Ben Anderson, local agent for State Farm Insurance. Beckner noted that he, along with the other nominees, are commmitted to making a difference in this region.

"We've got our Community Service Award, which I'm very excited about, because not only are the nominees working hard in their organizations, but they are also working hard in our community," she said. "They are young leaders in our community. They work with Safety City, there are people working on civic boards and the regional planning commission, and they are making an impact and are having an effect on the community. So the Community Service Award is really exciting."

Other award winners were Joshua Morris of Fast Signs, winning the Emerging Young Professional Award, Grant Sullivan of Sullivan Insurance, winning the Pacesetter Award and NOW Marketing Group, winners of the Influencer Award. When it comes to all of these winners, as well as the other nominees, their work continues to highlight Lima's potential.

"Lima YP is part of the local chamber, so being part of the chamber, we are privy to all of these businesses coming in as well as the potential plans that are coming in," Beckner said. "You hear rumblings here and there of what is happening, and when you get to see these plans come to fruition, it's exciting to see."

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