By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Sue Clanton grew up in the hills of eastern Tennessee and learned to love the flatlands of northwestern Ohio. And the people of those flatlands love her right back.
Clanton was bestowed with the “I Love BG Award” on Wednesday during the mid-year meeting of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.
“This is what I love,” Clanton said as got caught up in many congratulatory hugs after the meeting.
“There are a lot of deserving folks,” she told one well-wisher. But none more so than Clanton this year.
“I’m kind of in shock,” Clanton said as she received the award – noting her experience in Toastmasters was failing her at the moment. “Certainly I do love Bowling Green, and Wood County as well.”
Clanton was presented with the award by Bill Donnelly, who accepted the award last year on behalf of the Black Swamp Arts Festival. The award, Donnelly said, was intended to recognize someone who increases the visibility of the community and improves the quality of life for its residents.
Clanton is someone who shows an “exuberant love for the city and its people,” Donnelly said. “This year’s winner is someone who has shown this commitment for more than 20 years.”
Clanton said the 20-year estimate was being kind.
She began her career in Bowling Green at Rural Opportunities as a grant writer for eight years. She then worked in the city economic development office for 18 years. The past five years, she has directed the Wood County office of United Way in Bowling Green.
In her spare time, she helped her community in volunteer roles with Wood County Job and Family Services, the Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club, Girl Scouts, Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development, Wood County Continuum of Care, Early Childhood programs and Project Connect.
Clanton has been dedicated to helping people improve their lives – with helping children grow up happy and healthy, helping people find employment, helping the homeless find refuge, and helping people age gracefully.
“There are so many wonderful things to be involved with here,” Clanton said.
Through her job, she saw many companies build and expand in Bowling Green. And through her volunteer work, she saw young people grow into adults.
“The young women in Girl Scouts with me have become members of the community,” Clanton said.
As director in the United Way office, Clanton is now known as the person behind creative projects like the “Chocolate Crawl” in downtown Bowling Green, and as the face behind the camera taking countless photos that show up on Facebook.
Bowling Green School Superintendent Francis Scruci provided the welcome at the chamber program and talked about the value of the BG community and this award.
“It’s a community that thinks about each other,” Scruci said. “It’s a bigger community with a small town feel.”
Also presented on Wednesday was the Small Business of the Year award to Wood Haven Health Care. The award was accepted by Jeff Orlowski and Christina Stearns, from Wood Haven, who had won another chamber award last year.
“Wow. This is amazing,” Orlowski said. “I love Bowling Green. It’s just awesome to be a part of this community.”
Orlowski talked about Wood Haven’s support from the county commissioners and commitment to its residents.
“We are dedicated to the quality of care and making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
The facility is starting a new program called “Dare to Dream” next month, in which the dreams of residents will be granted.
“Just imagine the difference we are going to make by making dreams come true,” Orlowski said.
The Outstanding Customer Service Award was named as going to Nancy Jeffers, of BG Lock & Key. Jeffers was not present at the luncheon, and many speculated that she was probably helping someone who had gotten locked out of their vehicle or home.
Jeffers was selected for the award because of her exceptional customer service and her ability to “remember each and every customer,” Orlowski said.
The business has worked with local law enforcement and schools, and has worked to find solutions to tricky problems.
