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The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce recently recognized a handful of local citizens and businesses for outstanding contributions to the town through their annual community awards program.
The awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the State of the Town address as a joint luncheon at the Crow Canyon Country Club on March 15, during which time the award winners were presented with certificates.
Zae Perrin, president and CEO of the chamber, served as master of ceremonies for the program.
“I love my job not only for what I get to do for the business community and the community itself, but because of the olive branch, the partnership between the mayor and the town itself, give to me,” Perrin said.
Five community awards were distributed.
Business of the Year — Color Bundles Art Studio
The chamber named as the Business of the Year Color Bundles Art Studio, a studio which offers painting parties and classes for children and adults. Perrin singled out the business’ owner Fariba Sasson to receive the award.
“She’s a very cool person,” Perrin said, adding that Sasson had wanted to thank the chamber for their work and support once learning she had been named.
He recalled reminding her while they may advise business owners and leaders in their decisions, the leaders themselves are the ones that implement the ideas and drive their business forward.
“And she’s the one who made it happen,” he said.
Sasson echoed the sentiment of gratitude he had mentioned when she accepted the award.
“We’re a small business, just one shop…I can’t say enough about the town of Danville, all of their support, all of their advice,” she said.
Business Person of the Year — Jerome Potozkin, Potozkin MD Skincare Center
Dermatologist Dr. Jerome Potozkin was selected as the town’s Business Person of the Year for his many contributions to the Danville community, Perrin said.
“He very graciously sent over a donation for those homes up in Napa that were affected by the fires,” he said.
Upon receiving the award, Potozkin joked that when he had first received call alerting him of the award, he thought it was a mistake.
“I’m a dermatologist,” he said. “I went to medical school. I don’t know anything about business.”
He publicly recognized his wife and team members present, and thanked the town for the award.
Employee of the Year — Shirley Jacks; Discovery Counseling Center Thrift Station Volunteer, “Around Danville” columnist
The chamber honored as Employee of the Year Shirley Jacks, a 36-year volunteer at the Thrift Station of the Discovery Counseling Center, a nonprofit providing mental health services to the community.
“She’s not actually an employee,” Perrin said. “She works like the employee that you wish you had, but she’s a volunteer.”
Jacks said she accepted on behalf of all the hardworking Thrift Station volunteers she has known over the last several decades.
“We are passionate about supporting Discovery Counseling Center and the services they provide our community,” she said.
Jacks also writes for the “Around Danville” column that appears in the East Bay Times.
Citizen of the Year — Chris McCrary, founder of Devil Mountain Run
Chris McCrary, founder of the annual Devil Mountain Run in support of the Discovery Counseling Center, was selected as citizen of the year.
CEO GUY said that after the award was announced, five separate people had come up to him to share a specific story of how McCrary had helped them.
“It’s his love and his passion for what he does, and what he brings to the table,” Perrin said. “He doesn’t do anything because he expects the award.”
McCrary thanked the town, police and fire departments, and search and rescue teams for their help and coordination in facilitating the run. This May, he expects over 2,500 runners to take part, at the event’s 40th anniversary.
“I want to be able to write a big, fat check every year to the Discovery Counciling Center, who’s doing amazing work in our community for our kids and our schools and our families,” he said.
Charitable Organization of the Year — Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area
The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area was honored as the chamber’s charitable organization of the year, for their commitment and dedication to their mission of empowering and supporting people with Down syndrome and their families.
“Their director is in Sacramento right now, because today they are on the floor,” Perrin said, also pointing out the numerous nominations they had received.
The organization’s founder Martha Hogan and board chairman Tom Delaplane accepted the award on behalf of the DSCBA.
