Community awards announced at Meredith chamber

MEREDITH — The Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 29. In addition to the business portion of the meeting, several local businesses and organizations were recognized by the Chamber with community awards.

The Citizenship Award recognized Alex Ray and the Meredith Rotary Club for the important role they played in distributing masks to citizens in the state of NH when there was a shortage.

The Meredith Pathways Committee / Laverak Nature Trail proudly accepted the Civic Project Award.

A project that began in 2009, the Laverak Trail opened to the public in June of this year despite the many new challenges created by COVID-19.

The Community Pride Award, presented to a business or individual in recognition of worthy accomplishments in the form of community focused endeavors in the Meredith Area Community, was given to five recipients: the No Fair Food Drive, Ken Choice of Ellacoya Barn and Grille, Kaylon Sweet of Osteria Poggio, the Meredith Food Pantry and Meredith Got Lunch.

Despite the Sandwich Fair’s cancellation, seven Lakes Region businesses teamed up for the No Fair Food Drive, which supported the Agape Food Bank in Center Harbor and the Meredith Food Pantry. Non-perishable goods and over $3,000 in cash donations were collected. Partners and drop-off locations included Finn’s Garage, Meredith Insurance Agency, RN Peaslee & Sons, CFO Speed Shop, Lake Life Realty, L. White Construction, White Glove Cleaning, Pella Windows and Doors and Meredith Chamber of Commerce.

During the early stages of COVID, Ken Choice (Ellacoya Barn and Grille) created “grab and go” meals for families and anyone in need at no cost to the participants with other businesses joining in to help with handing out the meals. In that same spirit, Kaylon Sweet (Osteria Poggio) also prepared take-home meals for anyone who wanted or needed them. Meals were distributed cold, so people could heat them at home.

With a huge increase in demand, Barbara Rayno, executive director of the Meredith Food Pantry and her volunteers stepped up to the plate. A volunteer for 25 years, Rayno stated this was the busiest they had ever been, but as the need increased, so did the support of the community.

A program that normally focused on school vacations, Meredith Got Lunch immediately had to refocus with the challenge of kids being home every day before them. They quickly jumped into action to ensure every child had lunch.

In the final award of the meeting, the Chamber awarded Special Recognition to Meredith Village Savings Bank. The award recognizes an individual, business, group or organization for contributions that have significant benefit to the Meredith Area.