DSA recipients to be honored at upcoming banquet
WAYNESBURG – The Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce selected its 2012 Distinguished Service Award recipients. Chosen for the individual award was Jeff McCracken. The Corner Cupboard Food Bank was selected as the organization winner, and Charles “Joe” Behm III, will also be honored with a posthumous Distinguished Service Award. McCracken, owner of McCracken Pharmacy, an independent retail pharmacy in Waynesburg, is a lifelong resident of Waynesburg, graduating from Waynesburg Central High School in 1976. He followed in his father’s footsteps and attended one of the top rated pharmacy schools in the country: Ohio Northern University, where he graduated in 1981. At ONU, he was a member of the Kappa Psi social and professional fraternity. Over the years, the fraternity was restructured and is now a national pharmaceutical professional only fraternity comprised of both young men and women. His daughter, Elissa, was a member of the reactivation class of 2008. As a result, they are both proud to say they are “brothers” and yes, they share a secret handshake. Elissa, the reigning Miss Ohio, will be present for photos and autographs. McCracken Pharmacy was founded by McCracken’s father, Jack Hill McCracken, in 1961. Jeff McCracken has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmacy profession and was one of the first retail pharmacists in the eastern United States to implement robotic dispensing technology. McCracken has served as both a deacon and elder in First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg, is a member of the Citizen’s Liaison Committee at SCI-Greene and the Historic Preservation Society of Waynesburg University. He is a trustee of Kappa Psi, Gamma Delta Chapter Board of Directors for Ohio Northern University. McCracken also has supported Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful in its ongoing effort to preserve and revitalize downtown Waynesburg by serving on the Land Trust Committee and the Community Development Committee. He has been a business member of the Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years and supports Greene County Humane Society. Outside of the organizations that McCracken is a part of, he often goes out of his way to help people with their problems and is continuing the legacy of helping the community. His father was honored as the chamber’s first Distinguished Service Award recipient in 1988. Corner Cupboard Food Bank was established Oct. 19, 1992. In the 10 years following, new programs have been added to the services provided above the monthly food box distribution at the pantry sites. It currently serve more than 2,600 individuals and families throughout the year. In 1993, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (Senior Boxes) was introduced to the county and food bank has continued to expand the program to currently serve 475 seniors in the county at the pantry sites and senior housing sites. Produce to People (free monthly food distribution with no income guidelines) currently serves 700 individuals monthly at the Waynesburg Fairgrounds. In spring 2012, a second Produce to People opened at Harveys Grange and the latest figures show 150 individuals are participating in the program. Future plans to expand to the Mt. Morris area is on-going to make sure that all community members throughout the county have access to free food without traveling great distances. Charles “Joe” Behm III was a native of Greene County and a lifelong resident of Wind Ridge. Behm was an auctioneer and partner in Behm’s Auction Service and a licensed real estate salesman, broker and appraiser. At the age of 12, he was a member of the first graduating class of Knotts School of Auctioneering at Wheeling College. In 1970, he was recognized as the youngest licensed auctioneer in the United States and appeared as a contestant on “To Tell the Truth.” He was a 1976 graduate of West Greene High School and studied real estate through Penn State University and the International Society of Appraisers. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, where he served as a deacon and trustee. He was well known to the Greene County 4-H program, having served as a leader and board member. He provided auctioneer services to the 4-H youth livestock sales at both the Greene County and Jacktown Fairs. He was a member of the board of directors of the Jacktown Fair for many years and a member of Waynesburg Lodge 153 F&AM. Each year, local residents are invited to make nominations for the awards which are based on lasting contributions to community welfare, participation in civic organizations, evidence of leadership ability, success in vocation, personal and/or business progress, and cooperation with other individuals and organizations. The award has no relation to work performed for the Chamber of Commerce. McCracken, Behm and Corner Cupboard Food Bank, will be honored at the chamber’s annual membership meeting and banquet Nov. 17 at Waynesburg University’s Benedum Dining Hall. The public is welcome to attend and may purchase tickets at the chamber office prior to Nov. 12. For more information, call 724-627-5926.