The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC) handed out two Organization of the Year Awards—to the Ambulance Division of Union Fire Company No. 1 and the Southern Chester County EMS – Medic 94—and honored Landhope Farms as Business of the Year and Bethany Atkinson as Citizen of the Year during the annual Awards Dinner Dance on April 1.

The event took place at The Barn of Nottingham with more than 200 business leaders, community leaders, elected officials and community members in attendance.

Unlike other award events, the OACC surprises the recipients with the award.  

Dennis McCartney of Landhope Farms, who is also the OACC president, served as the master of ceremonies and welcomed the guests to the special event. He joked that the most popular phrase among business owners has been “help wanted.” 

McCartney said that it was a night to celebrate the award recipients and to celebrate the Oxford community.

Shelley Meadowcroft, who nominated Bethany Atkinson for the Citizen of the Year Award, talked about the selfless service Bethany provides to many nonprofits in town.  Although not born and raised in Oxford, Bethany married into the Oxford community when she married Andrew Atkinson and has made an impact from the start. Bethany was surprised that her parents and children were in attendance to see her accept the award.

Crystal Messaros, the vice president of the OACC, had the honor of presenting the Organizations of the Year awards.  This year, two awards were given. With the effects of the pandemic coupled with the closure of Jennersville Hospital, the area’s emergency services have been stretched like at no other time in recent history.  As Gary Vinnacombe from the Ambulance Division of Union Fire Company No. 1 and Bob Hotchkiss of Southern Chester County EMS – Medic 94, walked to accept their awards, the entire room stood and cheered the organizations.

The final award of the evening was presented by last year’s Business of the Year recipient, Jenna Fitchett Ennis of Fitchett Chiropractic.  Jenna shared that Landhope Farms was making a contribution to the community before their store in Oxford was completed.  She listed the many organizations and nonprofits that Landhope Farms donates to on an annual basis. Their involvement in the community is extensive, and the company sponsors events for each of the communities in which Landhope Farms has a store.  

McCartney, the director of operations for Landhope Farms, accepted on behalf of the company and invited the staff and leadership in attendance to come to the podium.   

State Rep. John Lawrence graciously presented each award recipient with citations from the Chester County Commissioners, Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate. He spoke about the impact each has had in the Oxford community—everything from volunteering, support and safety.

The evening continued with dinner and dancing.  Additional information on each recipient can be found in the upcoming issue of the Oxfordian magazine due out on April 5.  An online version can be found at https://oxfordpa.org/oxfordian.