2021 Community Awards
The Lower Providence Township Board of Supervisors recognized the outstanding contributions of individuals and businesses as they presented the annual Community Awards.
The recipients for 2021 are: Citizen of the Year, Lisa Yanak; Volunteer of the Year, Lisa Furman Lampe; and Business of the Year, Evansburg Vineyards.
A special recognition award was presented to the Outreach House of St. James Episcopal Church.
Citizen of the Year - Lisa Yanak
Through her 37-year career as an elementary school teacher in the Methacton School District and now in her many roles with community organizations, Lisa Yanak has made a difference in Lower Providence Township. Lisa devotes much time and effort on behalf of the Lower Providence Community Library. She served two terms on the Board of Trustees and continues to serve as president of the Friends of the Library. In this role, she is instrumental in ensuring the long-term success of the library through community fund-raising events.
Many in the township may remember the Halloween Haunted Garden she hosted at her home for 12 years. The event featured story time, snacks and interactive exhibits and though it was free, donations from visitors helped contribute over $3500 to the library. In addition, Lisa has a leadership role in Lower Providence Community Action Partners which raised over $3,000 for uniforms for the Lower Providence volunteer fire department. She also volunteers her time with the Patrician Society’s local food pantry and Theater Horizon.
Volunteer of the Year - Dina Furman Lampe
Dina uses her contagious compassion to rally the Lower Providence community to help those in need, gathering much-needed supplies for those most in need. She fields requests either in person or over the phone, reaches out to the community for resources, and often personally delivers the items. Utilizing her background in social services and public administration, Dina provided social service assistance with paperwork and referrals at the Haws Avenue Soup Kitchen in Norristown, holding office hours every other Sunday and serving dozens people in a day.
Dina sets an example for all, viewing those in need not as lesser, but as neighbors deserving respect and kindness.
Business of the Year - Evansburg Vineyards
Yuval and Leli Blat, and their daughter, Rorem, are an American success story. Immigrants from Israel, Yuval and Leli had success in the corporate world before opening their business on an old horse farm in Evansburg. Their unique, understated winery has become a favorite of neighbors, Township residents and a growing number of guests from the surrounding area.
The Rev. Dr. William Sowards – Father Mike – is certainly well known to his parishioners but is also known by extension to many individuals and families in need. At Outreach House, St. James takes in food, gently used clothing, furniture, and other basic essentials. In turn, they provide assistance to clients from our Lower Providence community, Collegeville and Trappe. In addition, Outreach House provides weekend food for children from the Arrowhead and Woodland elementary schools. Carole Exeley serves as Outreach House director, managing all volunteers, donations and clients. This year, her leadership was critical to the coordination and distribution of donations following two local disasters. Under her guidance, families who lost everything in a fire and as a result of flooding received what they needed to get back on their feet.
In their own charitable and quiet way, Father Mike and his flock reach out to provide much-needed support through Outreach House, not only when disasters strike, but each and every day to carry those in need to a better place.