Bell Socialization Services Inc. recently recognized the recipients of several awards.
The agency's Business of the Year Award was presented to the Hanover Area Council of Churches. Sylvia Green accepted the award, which is presented to a business that contributes time and resources to assist Bell in fulfilling its mission within the community. The council was recognized at Bell's annual meeting on Oct. 4 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in York.
The council provides a space for individuals in Bell's Adult Training Facility (ATF) in New Oxford to volunteer to help sort clothes donated from the community. The individuals, all who live with varying degrees of intellectual disabilities, have developed friendships with the staff members because they are welcomed with genuine respect.
The Rita Patz Good Neighbor Award was presented to Green Food Market. This honor is awarded to an individual or group that depicts not only being a neighbor of Bell Socialization Services Inc. but is close in association by providing neighborly time and/or resources to Bell. Representatives of Green Food Market received the award at the store with members of the Options group in attendance.
Myung Goum Na and Min Heay Na, owners of Green Food Market, located one block from the agency's main office in downtown York, have provided quality customer service to Bell's Intellectual Disability Social Recreation program attendees. The owners are patient and helpful, and they show respect to all of the individuals as they shop there.
When Gay Swartz, who leads the program, mentioned to the store owners that the group was not going to be able to walk to the store after October, the owners volunteered to deliver.
Bell Socialization Services Inc. presented the Margo Atwood Community Services Award to Leigh Lauer at its annual meeting. She was nominated by Melinda Hershner. The award, named after a dedicated, long-term volunteer, is bestowed upon the individual or group that provides time and resources to enhance Bell's programs.
During Bell's Give Local York campaign this year, Lauer played a significant role in making the day successful by arranging hot dog sales at six Weis stores, which raised money and helped increase Bell's visibility across the county. On the heels of the Give Local events, she arranged to provide health and nutritional information to parents with a workshop at Bell's Bridge Transitional Housing Program.
Bell Socialization Services Inc. is a 501(c)(3) human services agency based in York that provides housing and living skills supports to individuals living with mental illness, people with intellectual disabilities, and homeless families.
Leave a Review