Published: April 08, 2009 09:30 am      

State Bank of Lizton garners ‘Spirit of Community’ award

Lebanon — For its commitment to being “a real community partner,” the State Bank of Lizton Tuesday was awarded United Way of Central Indiana’s Spirit of Community Award.

The honor was given at Boone County United Way’s annual recognition breakfast, held at Ulen Country Club. The bank also received the “A Company That Cares” award.

“Sometimes in this business, you come across a company that just does it all,” Ellen Annala, United Way of Central Indiana’s president and CEO, said as she presented the award to SBL representative Nicole Noonchester.

Another 18 companies and organizations received the A Company That Cares award, including: Arc Rehab Services, Boone County Family YMCA, Boone County Senior Services, Boone REMC, Case New Holland, City of Lebanon, Gander Mountain Distribution Center, Hachette Book Group, Haynes International Midwest Service Center, Home National Bank, Kramer Lumber, Lebanon Community School Corp., NorthPark Community Credit Union, Parr Richey Obremskey Frandsen and Patterson, South Western Communications, The Farmers Bank, Vectren’s Lebanon office, and Witham Health Services.

About 80 persons attended the breakfast, emceed by Ray Cortopassi, executive director of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce.

Between July 2007 and July 2008, more than 40 United Way agencies provided a variety of services to 28,169 county residents, said Clyde Bodkin, chairman of UWCI’s Boone County advisory board. More than $535,000 was spent on the projects, Bodkin said.

Despite the recession, individual and corporate contributions rose last year, said Jill Troha, UWCI’s Boone County area director.

The 2008 campaign bettered its $173,000 goal by more than $13,000, she said, more than 47 companies participated.

“Everybody stepped up,” said Troha. “We were the first county to meet its goal.”

The 2008 campaign’s average individual gift to United Way was $173, up $28, she said.

There were 11 new “breakthrough” campaigns, Troha said.

Gander Mountain’s Lebanon distribution center led the top five company campaigns, raising $34,624. They were followed by Hachette Book Group, $28,648; State Bank of Lizton — Boone County, $10,281; Zionsville Community School Corp., $9,063; and Parr Richey Obremskey Frandsen and Patterson, $7,864.

Another five companies were within $2,800 of reaching the top five, Troha said.

The eight Boone County United Way agencies are: Arc Rehab Services, the Boone County Cancer Society, Boone County Family YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Zionsville, Lebanon Area Boys and Girls Club, Mental Health America of Boone County and Youth As Resources.