Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce Honors
Outstanding Citizen and Organization… for Giving Back

AT ITS ANNAUL BANQUET on Feb. 7, 2012, the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester will recognize community members who have demonstrated exemplary service: James E. McErlane, 2011 Outstanding Citizen of the Year; the Chester County Food Bank, recipient of the J. Dewees Mosteller Community Service Award for 2011; and to be announced, the Junior Outstanding Citizen, sponsored by Lamb McErlane PC.

Giving Back is a Way of life for Citizen of the Year

Growing up in the tightly–knit community of Malvern, James E. McErlane learned early that getting involved was a way of life. It’s no surprise, therefore, that Jim has made a habit of serving a multitude of organizations in the Greater West Chester area and beyond. He has given his time and talent to health, education and business organizations including Community Volunteers in Medicine, the West Chester University Foundation, Paoli Hospital and the Chester County Food Bank.

For his ongoing, exemplary service to the community-at-large, the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) is proud to name Jim McErlane its 2011 Citizen of the Year.

“Jim was our unanimous choice for Citizen of the Year,” said Katie L. Doherty, GWCC president. “It’s amazing when you look at the number of organizations he has supported in the region. Jim’s considerable time, energy and expertise have been well-spent in making our community a better place to live.”

A senior partner with the law firm Lamb McErlane, Jim practices in the areas of banking and finance, real estate, municipal law and governmental regulations. He was appointed to the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board by the

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

An active member of the Chester County business community and the GWCC, he has served on the Chester County Development Council, as Chair of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry and on other boards.

Chester County Food Bank Honored

Given Chester County’s standing as one of the most affluent counties in the state, it’s often hard to believe hunger exists within its boundaries. The reality is, however, that some 70,000 residents struggle daily to have enough food to eat.

The Chester County Food Bank was established in 2009 to help provide food for those in need in Chester County and to focus on hunger’s role in poverty, health and education. Since its inception, the Food Bank has distributed more than 1,200,000 pounds of food each year. It supplies food to more than 65 organizations including food cupboards and other non-profit organizations. The Food Bank, led by Executive Director Larry Welsch, also organizes and operates a variety of programs aimed at ending the cycle of hunger and poverty. Programs including healthy-cooking classes and raised-bed garden development focus on nutrition and education to help people live better lives.

In recognition of its outstanding work, the GWCC is proud to honor the Chester County Food Bank as its 2011 Mosteller Community Service Award winner.

www.gwcc.org