L to R: Jeff and Ada Staal Smith, recipients of the 2015 Community Business Leader of the Year Award, with our Chairman of the Board, Chris Chandor
On Wednesday, April 22nd, Heritage Conservancy hosted over 100 business members (one of our largest turnouts to-date!) at its annual Business Members Reception. Held here at Aldie Mansion, the event celebrated our much-appreciated business members who continue to promote our mission of preserving and protecting our region’s natural and historic heritage through their advocacy and support.
Heritage Conservancy began its business membership program in 1990, partnering with local corporations to further our mission to preserve and protect our natural and historic heritage. In the past 25 years, our business members have provided us with the support needed to facilitate the preservation and protection of more than 12,000 acres in the Bucks and Montgomery County region. With this being a milestone year, there was a lot to celebrate and give thanks for. We showed our appreciation by giving out several awards throughout the evening.
The 2015 Community Business Leader of the Year Award was presented to Jeff and Ada Staal Smith, owners of J.A. Heating and Air Conditioning of Warminster, PA, for their commitment to furthering our mission and their significant contributions to our community.
A business member of Heritage Conservancy since 2009, J.A. Smith Heating and Air Conditioning was started in the early 1970s as a company dedicated to both customer service and the preservation of our environment. Currently, J.A. Smith Heating and Air Conditioning is guiding our organization through the process of upgrading our heating systems to be more efficient, greener and less costly. Along with supporting Heritage Conservancy through their membership and expertise, the Smiths are dedicated advocates of our organization and encourage other businesses to become members. And if that weren’t enough, Ada donated more than 140 hours of her time volunteering for us, including leading an educational hike for students in the Bristol Marsh, staffing the front desk, prepping for our Christmas at Aldie event, and helping our President with historic property research.
In his acceptance speech, Jeff mentioned how he is a lifelong Bucks County resident, and how through his dedication as an Eagle Scout, he learned not to be wasteful, to leave your campsite cleaner than you found it, and to leave firewood for the next backpackers. Through their commitment to conservation of energy and our natural resources, Jeff and Ada are truly ensuring that they leave something for the next campers.
Along with the Smiths, we honored our longest-tenured business members who have steadfastly and continuously contributed to our mission for 20 years or more. Those businesses include:
~First National Bank and Trust Company of Newtown
~Keystone Tree Experts
~Fredendall Building Company
~Callaghan Interior Design
~QNB Bank
~Jeffrey A. Miller Catering Company
~Carroll Molloy, Realtor
~Advanced Color Signs & Graphics
~Brooks and Barber Tree Management
~First Savings Banking – Insurance – Investments
Recipients of our tenured business member awards
We were grateful to have the opportunity to honor all of these businesses and to thank so many of our business members in person. It was a wonderful evening filled with compassion and enthusiasm as the group gathered together to share in their advocacy for conservation. Thanks to all of you for your generosity and support of our mission!
Support businesses that support conservation! If you think that preserving and protecting our region’s natural and historic heritage is important, please patronize the businesses that help us in our mission to keep Bucks County beautiful! Search for businesses on our website by clicking HERE.
If you’re interested in learning more about a Heritage Conservancy business membership, contact Tammy Schane at 215-345-7020 ext. 107 or tschane@heritageconservancy.org.