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Brown named citizen of year, WCHC top business at area awards night
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON — Hundreds of Washington area community members gathered for a banquet at the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Monday night, for the Greater Washington Business Partnership Annual Awards dinner.
The evening featured an address from inspirational speaker Eric Recker, and impassioned remarks from local business leaders as they highlighted star players in the community over the last year.
Darren Brown is citizen of the year, WCHC named top business by Chamber
The awards night ended with a finale from the Washington Chamber of Commerce, which lets community members vote on its award-winners.
Darren Brown, director of the Tribulation and Trust Ministries which runs the Lighthouse Center — an emergency shelter for unhoused people in Washington — and the Master’s Hand, a thrift store fundraising arm for the shelter.
“His approach is not just about giving aid, but empowering individuals with the tools they need to regain sustainability,” said Chamber Board Secretary Amy Kleese, introducing Brown. “He has shined a light on the realities of homelessness in Washington, challenged us to do more, and inspired us to be part of the solution.”
Brown, for his part, appeared astonished by the honor, taking several deep breaths before speaking into the microphone to accept the award. He was not informed in advance of the recognition, and Chamber Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said organizers had to “trick” him into attending by asking him to give a prayer at the start of the event.
Brown thanked God, his family, and fellow community members in an improvised and slightly choked up speech, saying he could never have helped so many others without his own network of support.
“I wasn’t always this guy that stands on this stage. I was a drug addict and an alcoholic, and I was a mess, and I spent 12 years of my life locked in a prison, in and out, because I didn’t no how to make decisions and choices,” he said. “ … I just want you to know that, never did I dream this, never did I even think that this would happen. But I want to keep climbing mountains, and I want to keep doing things for the city of Washington and the county of Washington.”
For the business of the year, voters chose Washington County Hospitals and Clinics.
Past Chamber Board President Erik Buchholz welcomed WCHC staff members to the stage, naming a long list of accomplishments for the group. WCHC has, in the last few years, been named a national Top 100 Critical Access Hospital thrice, been deemed one of the “coolest places to work” by the Corridor Business Journal, added a new Kalona location, announced another in Mediapolis, and added numerous medical services for patients in Southeast Iowa.
“They haven’t just grown, they have raised the bar in patient care, innovation, and economic impact,” Buchholz said. “It’s transforming health care in our region, making it more accessible, innovative and comprehensive than ever before.”
WEDG grants Harvey Holden Award to local libraries
The Washington Economic Development Group used its annual Harvey Holden Award — named after a former mayor and city council member, farmer, and businessperson in Washington — to spotlight the Washington County Library Association, with brief remarks given by librarians in Wellman, Kalona and Washington.
WEDG Board Member and Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said the institutions were vital to their communities, supporting individuals, economic development, and educational endeavors.
“Our libraries are not just buildings filled with books, they are vibrant community hubs that provide invaluable resources to all ages, from young children to senior citizens,” he said. “The library continually adapts to meet the ever-changing needs of our growing community. We are incredibly fortunate, both as a community and as a county … their collective impact cannot be overstated.”
Washington Public Library Director Cary Ann Siegfried said it was an honor to receive the award, and thanked staff and local governments for supporting the buildings around the county.
“We really do have great libraries in Washington County,” she said. “So thank all of you for your support, and what you do to keep us having great libraries in Washington County.”
Main Street highlights top volunteers, LUX Suites
The “Heart of Main Street” award for volunteers went to two of that group’s MVPs in 2024: Jena Steele and Wilson Leppert.
Steele is an “indispensable” volunteer and a member on two of the group’s four committees, while Leppert has stepped up as the organization’s go-to photographer at countless business visits, confetti-popping celebrations and other events.
“You both exemplify the stunning volunteerism at the heart of Main Street Washington, you have both helped make Washington a better place,” said MSW President Maddie Widmer.
Main Street’s business award for 2024, meanwhile, went to a new fixture on Washington’s square: LUX Suites, a salon suite that currently includes hair stylists, nail technicians, a massage therapist, a physical therapist and a retail space, all under one roof, and run by different business professionals.
The storefront required countless hours of demolition, sanding and remodeling inside the space, most of it done by LUX Owner Deana DeLong, who is also an active MSW volunteer.
“This has been a dream of mine for a long time, to have the suites designed,” DeLong said of LUX, which still has space open for three more small businesses. “I’m excited for what all it brings to downtown. It’s fun to see what else we can bring to Washington, and see a new space.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
