Longtime group, small business chief gets best honor from Springfield chamber

That variety of perseverance and selflessness is why Bell, who is in his 70s, was chosen for the award this year, according chamber executives. They say Bell has been instrumental in attempts around the many years that have lifted thousands and thousands to fund courses and initiatives in the community.

“If there was an all star group in Springfield, Clark County above the previous 50 yrs, (Bell) would be 1 of the captains of that team,” claimed Mike McDorman, President and CEO of the Chamber of Bigger Springfield.

“(Bell) is one particular of individuals leaders who invested in the future generation. He has supported quite a few in this neighborhood that are in management positions nowadays and proceeds to do that,” McDorman added.

Bell is the former president of the former Consolidated Insurance plan right before it turned Brower Insurance plan. A indigenous of the Springfield area, he has invested enormously in the location over a range of several years.

Bell has been a member of a selection of regional community as very well as increased education and learning boards as effectively as served as the president for the Springfield Rotary Club.

Some of Bell’s fundraising attempts were geared in direction of supporting neighborhood young children with disabilities, McDorman reported. In addition to that, Bell has applied his influence to increase millions for institutions these kinds of as the Springfield Foundation, Clark Condition College and the Group Improvement Company (CIC).

Horton Hobbs, vice president of financial development for the Chamber of Larger Springfield, mentioned Bell played a substantial section in assisting the CIC elevate around $4 million for its Grow 2024 Campaign.

The quantity raised exceeded anticipations specially amid the coronavirus pandemic as a the vast majority of these attempts ended up accomplished by means of digital usually means, Bell said in the chamber online video.

“I am a townie. I was born and raised right here and have lived right here all but 8 several years of my life, when I was in higher education and in the assistance. I have viewed numerous alterations, some superior, some not so fantastic. But I have by no means regretted the selection to make Springfield my family’s property,” Bell claimed.

“Our group is of the size where you can develop personalized interactions wherever most dealings are with people today you know and believe in. Wherever it is straightforward to get included and where one particular can make a big difference,” he extra.

McDorman claimed that however Bell was identified with parkinson’s disease many decades back, he proceeds to remain active in the community and is still concerned in big initiatives in the place.

The chamber’s once-a-year assembly will start at 3 p.m. and will be streamed are living on Facebook.

Chamber of Better Springfield 2021 Honorees

Business enterprise of the 12 months: Assurant

Little Organization of the Yr: NCF Personal savings Financial institution

Local community Impact Award: Second Harvest Foodstuff Financial institution

Finest Cafe/Retailer of the Calendar year: Cecil and Lime

Big Dreamer Banner: Dale Henry