Chamber bestows awards to community leaders at annual dinner

Two local leaders were acknowledged for their work bettering the community.

During the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 122nd annual dinner Thursday night at Baqara Coliseum in Newton, Jamie Murphy and Frank Buckley received the organization’s top honors of the night: the Key Award and the Community Service Award, respectively.

As the assistant superintendent of park operations for City of Newton, Murphy was recognized for kickstarting the newest holiday tradition in town: the Maytag Park Holiday Light Display. Murphy spent countless hours acquiring displays and lights for the drive-thru attraction beloved by many folks in town.

"The time and energy Jamie invested is so much very
appreciated," Craig Armstrong, the City of Newton's economic development specialist and an emcee of the annual dinner, said of Murphy's work to create the display.

“The first year (2018), almost $4,000 in donations were raised in a very limited timeframe. In the second year, there were well over $14,000 in donations,” Armstrong continued, noting that Murphy and staff worked to keep costs to minimum while still creating a fun display for locals.

Murphy credited that very same staff upon receiving the Key Award.

“They’re the best,” Murphy said before thanking several other people involved. “There’s a lot of people here, I’m sure, that donated money, donated (lights) … Clemon Maki Insurance has been the lead donors for it and those guys are great to do that … There’s a lot more people than me that go into this.”

The recently retired Buckley was honored for his tenure at Newton YMCA and helping his community. Prior to his retirement, Buckley was described by those who nominated him for the Community Service Award as a leader “with a servant’s heart” and has created a culture people want to be around.

“He has helped with many community events. He’s been extremely involved with his church and his family,” Armstrong said of a guest’s testimonial before reading another. “Frank has dedicated 10 years of his life to better the Newton YMCA.”

Armstrong said Buckley’s only regret was not heeding this call to the Newton YMCA earlier in his working years. Buckley, too, thanked his community, which he has lived in nearly all his life. He recalled how active his dad was in local organizations, and how his mother greeted people to town with welcome baskets.

Having moved to Bondurant recently to be with his family, the former CEO lamented leaving Newton but noted that he is still a cardinal.

“I love Newton,” he said. “Thank you.”

Amanda Price, executive director of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, said the annual dinner is the organization’s signature event. This year’s celebration was attended by keynote speaker Christina Moffatt, owner of Crème Cupcakes and director of small business resources for Greater Des Moines Partnership.

The dinner serves as a thank you to the chamber’s members for “a great year.” Slideshows helped recap the past year’s accomplishments and milestones. Price also sees the event as an opportunity to showcase what there is to look forward to this year, in addition to recognizing folks for awards.

These select teachers were also given Excellence in Education awards during the annual dinner:

• Lora Caves, Aurora Heights Elementary

• Miranda Bratland, Emerson Hough Elementary

• Brooke Kuker, Thomas Jefferson Elementary

• Emilee Brisel, Woodrow Wilson

• Chase Dickinson, Berg Middle School

• Andrew Hogeland, Newton High School

• Philip Calvin, WEST Academy

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com