SHERBURNE – Commerce Chenango recognized two community members, a local business owner and a non-profit organization for their contributions to Chenango County Wednesday at their 8th Annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon, held at the Fox Run Event Center in Sherburne.

Those recognized were this year’s recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award, Tom Sutton; Agricultural Advocate, Keith Severson; Woman Owned Business of the Year, Jill Eddy of Lily Katherine’s Bridal Boutique; and Non-Profit Agency of the Year, Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County.

The event was sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, GHS Federal Credit Union and Frontier.

Volunteer of the Year Award

“Spirited and talented volunteers are a community asset that must be valued,” said Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter as she introduced this year’s award recipient, Tom Sutton of NBT Bank.

Carpenter enumerated the many organizations in which Sutton is involved, including the Chenango Foundation, Leadership Chenango, Norwich Business Improvement District, Friends of the Park and the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation. He has also been involved in a coaching capacity with various youth sports organizations, she said, including baseball, football and basketball.

“Tom cares about his community and is dedicated to finding time for those causes that he feels will impact the community he lives in,” Carpenter said. “Like most that volunteer, it’s not about the recognition or the acknowledgment; it’s about making a difference in the quality of life that we all deserve.”

Sutton said he was humbled by the award. “I’m simply one of a large group of individuals in our community,” he explained, taking the time to acknowledge others who often donate their time, including Dave Emerson and Pegi LoPresti. Their volunteerism, he said, “is truly inspirational.”

The NBT executive also thanked his employer, “for encouraging community involvement and volunteerism” in their employees and allowing staff members the opportunity to “follow (their) passions and make a positive impact.”

Sutton also had words of advice for those who have not fully taken advantage of opportunities to volunteer. “Give generously of your time,” he encouraged. “It can really help to make a better community for us all.”

Agriculture Advocate

“Our Agriculture Advocate of the Year is a leader in efforts to increase awareness of the issues facing by the agriculture industry and is focused on improving the future of agriculture in this area,” said Carpenter, as she announced Keith Severson as this year’s award recipient. Severson has served as Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County since 2002.

“Keith has demonstrated a solid commitment to agriculture in Chenango County and is known for his ability to educate individuals in the industry,” she said.

Severson, who recently announced his retirement, he has served on the boards of numerous local organizations, including Farmland Protection and the Ag Development Council, the Chenango County Area Corporation and The Place.

“Keith has been a great addition to our community,” said The Place’s Executive Director, Dave Sheldon.

Upon receiving the award, Severson took the opportunity to thank the Chamber for their commitment to agriculture.

“I’m really delighted at the transition that Commerce Chenango has made, to really recognizing agriculture in the last few years,” he said, specifically noting the efforts of Jennifer Tavares.

Severson spoke emotionally about his staff and experience in Chenango County. While he said he plans on leaving the area when he retires in July, he said he plans to come back.

“You should all leave Chenango long enough that you thirst to come back,” he said.