Business, Volunteer, Patton Award
The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce recently held their annual Awards luncheon.
The Community Volunteer of the Year award went to Dennis Koenigsknecht, a St. Johns resident who is involved with many community organizations such as the Clinton County Senior Center, St. Johns Knights of Columbus, Clinton County 4H and the Chamber of Commerce. Koenigsknecht is not a volunteer that just sits on a board and attends meetings – for many organizations he is the volunteer electrician, fixer of about anything and a worker at any event.
For the Clinton County Senior Center and Chamber of Commerce he is always working shifts at Trippers for Texas Hold’em events and you can always find him behind the scenes at Knights of Columbus fish fries and other fundraisers.
The Outstanding Chamber Member Business of the Year award was received by Journey Federal Credit Union. Journey FCU started over 40 years ago out of a shoe box and today has 3 locations in the Clinton County area – St. Johns, Fowler and Ovid. They serve approximately 15,500 members.
This year the Credit Union has undergone a name change and re-branding effort in order to serve additional surrounding communities. Membership continues to grow in Clinton County and, despite the economic downturn of the past few years, the Credit Union has thrived, maintaining financial independence and security by providing great member service.
The Credit Union is a non-profit, member-owned financial institution that actively supports the community through financial contributions and volunteerism. Journey Federal Credit Union is a supporter of the St. Johns Mint Festival, Clinton County Senior Center events, Chamber of Commerce functions and various other local charities and events. In addition, each month the Credit Union chooses a different local charity to which they donate money from Casual Fridays, 50/50 raffles, popcorn and bake sales and other fundraising events they hold. Each member of the Management Team at Journey FCU also holds a volunteer position within the community, including the Chamber Ambassadors and Board of Directors, St. Johns Rotary Club, Clinton County Senior Center, St. Johns Lioness Club and Meals on Wheels to name a few.
The final award of the day was presented to Dennis Whitlock, who received the William Patton Award. This award was developed by the Chamber Ambassadors in the late 1980’s to honor a highly respected businessman in the community Mr. William Patton. The award each year is passed on to someone that confirms to the same high standard of conduct and honor that Mr. Patton lived by in regards to community service, professionalism, religious involvement and highest standard of moral character and conduct.
Mr. Whitlock is an active member of the First Baptist Church. He is in charge of their Ushers and Greeters and makes sure everything runs smoothly during church services. He also helps during Sunday School with the 4-5 year olds. The children enjoy his caring attitude and quiet spirit. He has also helped with the younger children in their Awana children’s ministry on Wednesday evenings and has held many bonfires and given hayrides to the Awana children at his home.
Until his retirement in June of 2013 Mr. Whitlock was the Custodian at Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency. Staff at CC RESA noted that he always took the time to offer a special word to a student with special needs or saying a caring greeting to a staff member going through a health issue. Prior to spending 17 years with CC RESA Mr Whitlock had retired from Fowler Public Schools as an Industrial Arts Teacher.
Just ask anyone that has met Mr. Whitlock and they will tell you that he has done something special to touch their lives. Mr. Whitlock’s honesty, integrity and dedication are evident each day and he is a hard working and humble man. This year’s recipient embodies all the qualities the Mr. Patton lived by and the Chamber was pleased to present this year’s award to Mr. Whitlock.