Mandy Gerber, center, was named the 2021 Nappanee Citizen of the Year at the annual Nappanee Chamber of Commerce appreciation and awards dinner Monday, March 28. On the left is Courtney Oberholzer and on the right is Donna Persing, award presenters.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NAPPANEE — Mandy Gerber was surprised when she was named the 2021 Citizen of the Year for Nappanee Monday evening at the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce annual appreciation and awards banquet. The event was held in the Coppes Commons Event Center with 285 in attendance.

Gerber was one of three individuals recognized, along with three business awards.

Andy Hostetter, a fourth-grade teacher at Woodview Elementary School, received the Educator of the Year Award.

The third individual recognized was the recipient of the Embrace the Pace Award, which is not given out annually. “Occasionally, a business person comes along who goes well above the call of duty to serve our community and for 2021 a name just kept coming up,” said Jeff Kitson, chamber executive director. Sylvia Benjamin was the recipient of this award.

The three recipients of the Excellence in Business Awards were L.J. Wagner Home Interiors, The Pretty Cakery and Kountry Cabinets & Home Furnishings.

Jeff Kitson, executive director, adds a litle fun to the annual banquet by appearing as a carnival strongman.

The theme for the evening was “Together We Are Stronger,” with Kitson emphasizing that by appearing in a carnival type strongman costume carrying a chain. “We can always be stronger by linking arms. A chain is as strong as the weakest link.”

Gerber lives and works in Nappanee. She has been with the Boys and Girls Club for 24 years and has been the area director in charge of Nappanee for 10 years. She has contributed to so many over their short years on earth. Her smile, kind words and willingness to get their hands dirty to help someone is the tip of the iceburg.

She spent a little time in Goshen before the club opened in Nappanee in 1998. She has led the club through many trials and non bigger than COVID. Not even a building project affected her spirit and bubbling personality. Through it all she has stood tall for the kids of the community. In 2021 she was recognized by the state alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs as the outstanding club director in the state. She is also a member of Kiwanis and works hard outside of work.

Gerber and her parents, Gale and Sarah, love to travel, volunteer and serve the community.

Hostetter makes a difference in the lives of the next generation. Colleagues say he is patient, kind, considerate and loving to his students, with parents saying he makes school fun, keeps the kids engaged with his sense of humor and musical skills. “He is compassionate and genuinely cares for his students,” was a comment from parents.

Kevin Yoder, board member, stated “WaNee Community, we are blessed to have Mr. Andy Hostetter in our community teaching, molding and equipping our children. Andy, thank you for your commitment to our kids.”

Benjamin, owner of Sylvia Benjamin State Farm Insurance, is a veteran. Kitson noted most people would not have guessed she spent time in Afghanistan during Desert Storm. “Her desire to make Nappanee better is evident by the causes she believes in: The Boys and Girls Club, Apple Festival, Wakarusa Missionary Church and local businesses.”

Benjamin and her team have done such things as pay it forward lunches, National Pizza Day where they delivered pizza to local businesses and she recently became the NorthWood Middle School girls track coach. “She loves our schools and is incredibly supportive of all academic, music and athletic programs,” said Kitson. “I chose her because of her passion to take something old and make it new. The revamped office in the former Mancino’s building is just gorgeous and seeing her lead in our community is amazing. Sylva rolls up her sleeves and asks what needs to be done. She does not run away from helping someone. Often you can hear her say, ‘What can I do to help and improve the lives of my neighbors?’”

The evening was concluded with a drawing for a number of door prizes provided by donors, which included a mini drone, 50-inch Google TV, 16 gift cards from local businesses and three key chains containing cash.

Next year’s event will be held March 27, 2023.

Winners of awards at the annual appreciation and awards dinner for the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce, from left, are Jodi Hochstetler, The Pretty Cakery; Cheryl Yoder, L.J. Wagner Home Interiors; Denny Miller, Kountry Cabinets & Home Furnishings; Mandy Gerber, Citizen of the Year; Sylvia Benjamin, Embrace The Pace; and Andy Hostetter, Educator of the Year.