Smiths honored for charitable efforts with Irwin award

MEREDITH ­— Robert and Miriam Smith of Gilford, who have been described as quiet and generous givers to numerous causes in the Lakes Region, were presented with the Irwin Award at the annual Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Hero awards held last night at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith.

The Smiths were honored for the major gift they made recently to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lakes Region, which helped the club purchase the former St. James Episcopal Church on North Main Street and turn it ino the club's new home.

They also seeded the Holy Trinity Endowment Trust with a $500,000 gift and gave $25,000 a year to provide scholarships which allow underprivileged children to attend the school.

The Smiths are also strong supporters of the New Hampshire Humane Society and have in the past provided support for the Prescott Farm Environmental Center on White Oaks Road.

Smith, a former treasurer of American Express Corp., was also a partner in Car Component Technologies of Bedford, which manufactured automobile parts. The business was sold in 1999.

The 65,000-square-foot Thomas F. Sullivan Arena at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, which was built in 2003, is named in memory of Mrs. Smith's father in recognition of an unrestricted gift from the Smiths.

The Irwin Award, which honors James Irwin Sr., founder of Irwin Marine and Irwin's Winnipesaukee Gardens, is presented to those who portray service to the Lakes Region, is a community leader and demonstrate a spirit of progress in the community.

Other nominees included Frank Roche, owner of Roche Realty; Marc Bourgeois, president of MB Tractor, and Ed Engler, president and founder of The Laconia Daily Sun.

The J. Bart Connors Award for dedication to the mission of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce was presented to Christine Harris, an active volunteer in many capacities with the chamber, who is senior vice president of retail banking at Meredith Village Savings Bank.

The Public Service Award, sponsored by Eversource and awarded to a person who has shown leadership and charity in public service went to Chuck and Lisa Drew of Franklin, whop created Every Child is Ours, a charity which raises money to provide food for more than 75 schoolchildren.

The Hurst Award, sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank for those showing passion for the betterment of the Greater Franklin Community, was awarded to Jeff and Beverly Brewer for their work on behalf of the Franklin Animal Shelter.

The Young Professional Award, sponsored by he Belknap Economic Development Council, went to Christopher Walkley, vice president of commercial banking with the Bank of New Hampshire, who is president of the New Hampshire Humane Society board of directors.

The Student Leader Award winner was Sophia Joyal, a sophomore at Laconia High School, a volunteers coach with the Winnipesaukee Warriors Special Olympics Team who is also a representative for Miss New Hampshire Outstanding Teen.