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Flat Rock Homes Honors Those Who Made a Difference in 2015

On Saturday, November 7, 2015 Flat Rock Homes hosted its Annual Recognition Dinner where donors, volunteers, staff members and organizations who supported Flat Rock’s mission and ministry throughout the past year were honored in a program that was themed “Sing a New Song”.

The evening started with an opening address from Representative Bill Reineke (Ohio House of Representatives, 88^th District) . Representative Reineke is a member of the State Finance Committee and worked closely with Flat Rock Homes this past spring to address concerns in funding and in the proposed State budget. Representative Reineke restated his support of choice in care for persons with disabilities and his support of Flat Rock’s mission. After the opening address, the program continued with a performance from the Flat Rock Choir who sang some of their favorite pieces including “Jesus Loves Me” and “This Little Light of Mine”.

After dinner, which was catered by Creative Cuisine (Sandusky, OH), the awards ceremony began. Reverend Nancy S. Hull, President/CEO of Flat Rock Homes, began the awards portion of the evening by honoring the 2015 Employees of the Year.  Andrew Drown of Tiffin, OH was honored as the Flat Rock Care Center Supervisor of the Year. Derek Henry, also from Tiffin, OH, was honored as the Flat Rock Care Center Direct Support Professional of the Year. The 2015 Flat Rock Community Services Management Employee of the Year was awarded to Dobromir Gospodinov of Lorain, OH. Accepting the award for the Flat Rock Community Services Direct Support Professional of the Year was Cassie Hector of Elyria, OH.  Angela Kennison of Bellevue, OH was named as the Flat Rock Homes Support Staff of the Year for her outstanding work as the Assistant Director of Nursing for Flat Rock Homes.

Amanda Nicol, VP for Advancement, continued the awards ceremony by presenting the donor and volunteer awards. Mrs. Denise Godomski accepted the 2015 Corporate Partner of the Year award on behalf of Plante Moran, PLLC. Wellington First UMC was named as the 2015 Church Partner of the Year. Mrs. Suzanne Denham (LaGrange, OH) and Ms. Susan Young (Tiffin, OH) were named as the 2015 Local Church Representatives of the Year.Mr. Harry and Mrs. Carol Askin, Rev. Donna Van Trees and Mr. Karl Hankins were all named as the 2015 Volunteers of the Year. Mr. Kevin Dietrich, a high school freshman from Tiffin, OH, was honored as the 2015 Young Volunteer of the Year. Two churches were honored with the 2015 Mission Group of the Year Award. Tallmadge UMC and Westlake UMC organized mission teams from the faith communities to assist with the cleaning and organizing of the historic Bishop-Horn building on Flat Rock’s campus.

The evening concluded with the presenting of the prestigious Rev. Nancy S. Hull Lifetime Advocacy Award, which was given to Mr. Dan Jones of Fairview Park, OH. Mr. Jones spent much of 2015 organizing petitions, testimony and meetings with the State legislator in light of budget changes that were discussed which would adversely affect funding for the care of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Mr. Jones attended and organized countless hours of testimony with the House Finance Sub-committee on Health & Human Services and the Ohio Senate Finance & Medicaid Committees to demonstrate that persons with disabilities and their parents/guardians should have a right to choose what care is best for them rather than state mandated care. He co-founded and worked closely with the Disability Advocacy Alliance to accomplish these changes. Rev. Dr. Gary Olin, Chair of the Joint Board of Directors honored Mr. Dan Jones with this award on behalf of Flat Rock Homes.

The Rev. Nancy S. Hull Award for Lifetime Advocacy is presented annually by the Board of Directors of Flat Rock Homes to a person, persons, group, or organization that has demonstrated the highest regard along with a positive advocacy for persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, as well as all persons who live in “the shadows of society.”  This award is presented in recognition of the lifetime service Rev. Hull has dedicated to the promotion, support, and defense of those persons who cannot speak for themselves.  The recipient(s) of this award likewise demonstrates these same ideals of advocacy, fairness and defense of those who so urgently need a voice for themselves.  Furthermore, the recipient(s) like Reverend Hull seek to serve Christ in their service to others and epitomize the scripture, “If you did it to one of the least of these…you did it also for me.”

Flat Rock Homes is especially gratefully to all of the 2015 Award Recipients and to all of those who went above and beyond in support of their mission and ministry this past year.

The mission of Flat Rock Homes is to provide outstanding services which transform lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and persons with critical needs through a dedication to caring and excellence that demonstrates Christian values.