Irvine Chamber - Irvine Celebrates / Celebrating the spirit of volunteerism

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Irvine Chamber - Irvine Celebrates / Celebrating the spirit of volunteerism

 

To thank those who have given generously their time and talents, the Irvine Chamber and the City of Irvine hosts Irvine Celebrates. This event recognizes not only the generosity of volunteers but businesses throughout that community that are family-friendly or disability-friendly. Featured this year will be some of Irvine’s non-profit charitable organizations showcasing their organizations’ programs and sharing information on how businesses and individuals can participate in valuable ways to support their efforts in the community.

The location for Irvine Celebrates 2009 will be decided at a later date.

Irvine Celebrates 2008 took place at Kia Motors America in Irvine last June. The event was a fun-filled night celebrates the spirit of giving. The awards for Citizen of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Jamie Trevor Award recipient, and the City of Irvine Family Friendly and Disability Friendly Business Awards are presented.  

Nominees for Citizen of the Year should be individuals who reside in Irvine and has contributed their time and talents to one or more charitable, educational and/or civic activities that positively impact residents of Irvine. The Member of the Year is similar is this regard in that it recognizes a member who actively promotes the Chamber and helps with time and other contributions.

The 2007 Citizen of the Year is Phil Lisle and he was recognized for his prominent role in the community, including taking photographs at Northwood High School events, working with the Assistance League of Irvine, and serving on the Orange County Performing Arts Center board.

The 2007 Member of the Year is Albert Napoli, who is a familiar face at the Chamber. He chaired the Legislative Handbook Committee and the Legislative Affairs Committee. He is also an active participant in the Governmental Affairs Committee and the Housing and Transportation Committee.

The Jamie Trevor Leadership Award is given in memory of the first female Chairperson of the Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. This award recognizes a member of the Board who is an exemplary leader and generous with time, talent and resources.

Finishing up his role as Chairman of the Board for 2007-2008, Ed Benoe took home the Jamie Trevor Award. He is an exceptional Chamber member, having served on the Board of Directors for many years.  This past year, he has also engaged the Chamber more closely with the non-profit community and met with members to listen to their priorities and needs.

The Family Friendly Business Award focuses on Irvine-based businesses that provide services such as dependent care, child care, flexible hours and other family-related opportunities to their employees. Three separate recognition awards will be presented to the top selected family friendly businesses based on company size. In the past, Taco Bell Corporation and Celtic Leasing Corporation have been acknowledged for their support of families.

The Motorcycle Industry Council has been selected as the recipient of the 2007-2008 Family Friendly Business Award winner.  The Motorcycle Industry Council is located in the city of Irvine and has a total of 96 employees.  The Motorcycle Industry Council promotes a healthy work-life balance by offering their employees child care referral service through their EAP, parent  education information on site,  generous paid time off benefit, flexible work schedules, a variety of wellness and financial resources, and a generous giving and volunteer program.

The Disability Friendly Business Award  acknowledges and commends local businesses for their outstanding efforts to address the social and physical barriers for employees and customers with disabilities, and their endeavors to move beyond legal mandates to a clear commitment to being disability friendly. Many of the businesses who are nominated for this award not only hire and aid people with disabilities but they also arrange aisles and merchandise to be more accessible to disabled customers. 

The Total Woman Gym has been selected as the recipient of the 2007-2008 Family Friendly Business Award winner. Total Woman Gym is located in the city of Irvine and has a total of 75 employees. Total Woman Gym institutes and promotes best practices toward the employment of and services to persons with disabilities by addressing the social and physical barriers for employees and customers. Total Woman Gym provides accommodations, accessibility for persons with disabilities and promotes positive awareness and sensitivity among its employees for the needs of persons with disabilities.