Chamber honors heroes

GREENFIELD – Thursday night marked the first time the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce was able to have its annual Community Walk of Fame Award Dinner since 2019.

The event usually highlights the successes of local businesses and business people, but COVID-19 prevented its return for two years. And now that the pandemic has greatly subsided, the chamber chose to not go business as usual this time around and instead honor those who helped the community get through the scourge of the virus.

It was a night of recognizing those on the front lines of public safety, health care and education. The chamber of commerce acknowledged nearly 30 organizations throughout the county, many of which had representatives on hand to receive certificates of appreciation.

“This year we decided we’ve all survived the last couple of years, so we wanted to honor our Hancock County heroes,” Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce president Retta Livengood told the crowd that gathered at St. Michael’s School in Greenfield for the event.

Barbara Kauchak, the chamber’s board chair, presented certificates to leaders of the county’s four public school corporations. She noted that those leaders represent large groups who deserve gratitude as well.

“We also need to thank those teachers, the staff and the administrators who really had to work pretty hard in this challenging time that they’ve had to go through,” Kauchak said.

Steve Long, president and CEO of Hancock Health and Hancock Regional Hospital, recognized the county’s law enforcement agencies, 911 center and emergency management agency.

“I doubt that many of us can appreciate the unique challenges they face every day, let alone during COVID,” Long said.

NineStar Connect director of engineering Jamie Bell honored the county’s fire departments, made up of whom he described as “heroes that are willing to walk into fire to protect all of us.”

John Kennedy, president of Greenfield Banking Company, noted Hancock Regional Hospital administered about 75,000 COVID-19 vaccines amid the pandemic during his remarks recognizing the hospital, Hancock County Health Department and long-term care facilities throughout the county.

“I’m sure none of us will take our health for granted after COVID,” Kennedy said. “What a critical time for those who care for the elderly and those who are ill.”

Walk of Fame honorees

Law enforcement

Fortville Police Department

Greenfield Police Department

Hancock County Sheriff’s Department

McCordsville Police Department

New Palestine Police Department

Shirley Police Department

Wilkinson Police Department

Fire departments

Buck Creek Township Fire Department

Fountaintown Fire Department

Green Township Fire Department

Jackson-Blue River Township Volunteer Fire Department

Greenfield Fire Territory

Shirley Fire Territory

Sugar Creek Township Fire Department

Vernon Township Fire Department

Wilkinson Volunteer Fire Department

Health care

Brandywine Care Center

Greenfield Healthcare Center

Hancock Health

Morristown Manor & Cypress Run

Hancock County Health Department

Springhurst Health Campus

Woodland Terrace of New Palestine

Emergency management

Hancock County 911 Emergency Center

Hancock County Emergency Management

School corporations

Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock

Community School Corporation of Eastern Hancock County

Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation