The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce announced that the 24th J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award will be presented to John and Kevin O’Brien of the O’Brien Insurance Agency.
The award will be presented at the 99th Annual J. Walter Juckett Award Banquet on Thursday, March 7, in Heritage Hall, Glens Falls Civic Center. The banquet will also feature a live and silent auction to benefit the Tri-County United Way.
“John and Kevin demonstrate a fierce commitment and hands-on dedication to the betterment of our local community,” said ARCC President and CEO Peter Aust. “Through their substantial contributions to the community, they have earned the respect and admiration of their peers. I can think of no one more deserving to receive this prestigious community service award than John and Kevin O’Brien.”
J. Walter Juckett had a remarkable business career and was recognized as a major community leader in his adopted home, the village of Hudson Falls, and the entire region, Chamber officials noted. His leadership and commitment transgressed a wide range of civic, charitable, religious, political, business and educational activities. He was recognized with honors for his work and contributions to the Boy Scouts of America, New York Business Development Corporation, Salvation Army, Norwich University, Presbyterian Church, Hudson Falls Central School and many other organizations.
He was a tireless worker for the arts, having served as a director of the Lake George Opera, and a major force in The Hyde Collection Capital Campaign.
Quietly and behind the scenes, the O’Brien brothers have been stewards of countless organizations, the ARCC said.
John has been involved with the Open Door Soup Kitchen, House of Grace, Glens Falls YMCA, Glens Falls Foundation, Prospect School, and St. Mary’s Parish Council. Kevin currently serves on the board of directors of the Tri-County United Way, the Glens Falls Home, The Glen at Hiland Meadows, and the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation.
Kevin has also served as president of the Glens Falls Rotary, and has been active in all Rotary committees. He also sits on the Insurance Agents board of directors and National Association of SIS Partner Agents board of directors.
What make the O’Briens even more deserving of the J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award are the lesser known charitable and philanthropic activities they do, said Aust.
“Whether it’s making pancakes from a special family recipe and providing them free to all the participants of a local cancer awareness walk or buying coffee at a local coffee shop for everyone that comes in and orders a cup that day as a pay-it-forward event, the O’Briens go out of their way to give back to the community that means so much to them,” he said.
The Juckett Community Service Award dinner event is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. Dinner will be supplied by Longfellows. The cost to attend is $90 per person. Space is limited.
Reservations can be made by contacting Morag Rosa at 798-1761 or mrosa@adirondackchamber.org or visit the ARCC website, www.adirondackchamber.org and fill out the registration form.
Reservations are due by Feb. 25.