During the 2020 Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards ceremony, OCF executive director Dana Bensinger was awarded the Daune Weiss Memorial Business Person of the Year award. This award is given to a business owner or manager who best exemplifies Daune Weiss' generosity in giving time, money, staff and/or facilities for community benefit. Dana was chosen for her dedication to raising money for the COVID19 Response Fund of Otsego Community Foundation that granted over $100,000 to organizations, nonprofits and small businesses.
It was such an honor to be nominated and a total shock to be selected. The whole field of philanthropy really came together in 2020, and I want to share this award with all nonprofits that really partnered to make things happen. While it is easy to report the numbers of dollars raised and grants awarded, the relationships that have been strengthened as a result of the challenges associated with the pandemic will continue to do good work in our community for years to come.
Thank you GACC and all those who believe in the power of collaboration.
