Photo provided by: Heather Wanniger, Sweet Lemonade Photography
By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Mahomet Chamber of Commerce 2020 Award Winners
Overall Business of the Year – Area Garbage, Bud Boller
Small Business of the Year –Yellow & Company, Elizabeth VanHoutan McDermith
Food Service Business of the Year – Filippo’s Pizza, Brigi and Jerry Paris
Health & Wellness Business of the Year – The Rock Counseling Group, R.J. and Staci McNicholl
Startup Business of the Year – Ruff Dayz, Tim and Lacy Belangee
Community Servant of the Year – Mahomet-Seymour schools superintendent, Dr. Lindsey Hall
Volunteer of the Year – Raptor Power Systems, Evan El Koury
The Mahomet Daily will post a series of profiles on each of the award winners, who were recognized at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet on Friday night at Mahomet’s Grace Church. To see the other articles, click on the link associated with each business name above.
MAHOMET-SEYMOUR SUPERINTENDENT, Dr. Lindsey Hall
Though she is a willing volunteer who enjoys lending a hand, Lindsey Hall said the scope of her activities can be a bit misleading.
Yes, she is active well beyond her day job, but she added, “The Rotary offers a lot of opportunities to give back to the community and be involved.”
Leading a school district is “a job that takes a lot of hours,” Hall said, but it’s also one that lends itself to volunteerism.
“The job also offers numerous opportunities to serve. I try to go above and beyond in my job. As a leader in the community, I like to set an example when I can.”
Hall was recognized on Friday at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet as the Community Servant of the Year.
She’s not acting any differently in Mahomet than in the other areas where she has worked.
“I’ve always strived to make time to give back in some way,” Hall said. “In giving back, you’re trying to make the community a better place.
“Community doesn’t mean just Mahomet, but in the larger sense of the word, those around us. You hope to leave the world a better place.”
Hall has volunteered at the Mahomet Area Youth Club’s half-marathon event. She has worked with the Chamber on the annual Home Show and has helped the Rotary with the Run for the Library Race.
“I know there are people who have put in way more time than I do,” Hall said. “When I retire is when I can do more. I am looking forward to having more time to serve.”
She has one area in particular where she hopes to eventually assist.
“I would like to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate),” Hall said. “There’s no way I could give that the attention it needs now with my job.”
Even while representing various organizations and agencies, many view Hall through her superintendent duties as the face of the school district. She is happy to promote that as well.
“If anything, my hope is that the schools will continue to be viewed and grow in the understanding of how much they are the thread and fabric of the community,” Hall said.
“If the superintendent can further the message that we’re all working together collaboratively to benefit kids and families even more, that is a wonderful thing.”
Hall will finish her third year as the M-S superintendent in June.
