CCS honors community heroes, celebrates 30th anniversary

Intermountain Catholic

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Tanner Neeley's response was, ?This is cool,? to the standing ovation he received as he was honored at the CCS of Northern Utah awards breakfast for his Cash for Cows project. IC photo/Christine Young

OGDEN — Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah held its first awards breakfast to honor community heroes and to celebrate its 30th anniversary May 16 at the Ogden Marriott Hotel.

Honorees Alan and Jeanne Hall, the son and daughter-in-law of the woman for whom CCS’ Joyce Hansen Hall food bank is named, received the Philanthropists award. The Corporate Partner Award was given to Great Salt Lake Minerals. Pam Parkinson, CCS Northern Utah advisory board chair, received the Community Advocate award for serving on CCS committees and organizing several fundraising events. Tanner Neeley was recognized as the Young Philanthropist for donating a whole cow’s worth of meat to the CCS food bank.

"United Way has worked with CCS for the 30 years they have been in Ogden and it’s amazing to see the support they receive," said Bob Hunter, United Way of Northern Utah president and CEO, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies. "It’s a beautiful project that is run so efficiently and effectively, and we appreciate all that they do."

"Today is about celebrating the work of CCS and it’s a great opportunity to reflect on our history and be reminded of the passion and dedication of those caring individuals who laid the groundwork for what has become CCS Northern Utah," said Marcie Valdez, CCS Northern Utah director. "It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the great work that is currently being done."

"Pam has spearheaded many projects and increased CCS’ visibility in the community," said Valdez. "She initiated the Biggest Heart food drive that brought in over 17,000 pounds of food, created the successful Sow for Humanity garden project, more than tripled the number of children served from the Backpack Giveaway and organized public awareness events."

In accepting the award, Parkinson credited others. "We have the most awesome community in which the businesses, schools and organizations step up when they know there is a need," she said.

For the last four years Great Salt Lake Minerals has brightened the holidays for hundreds of families in need at CCS, said Valdez. "This past year we had a 30 percent increase in need and GSL recognized it and went above and beyond so no family would be turned away," said Valdez.

"Our vendors raised an additional $14,000 so we could meet CCS’ needs," said Sherry Tolman, Great Salt Lake Minerals public relations coordinator. "CCS does all the work; they are the heroes."

"Alan and Jeanne Hall have been loyal CCS supporters for the past eight years," Valdez said. "The Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank has become a central agency in Weber County."

Aaron Hall represented his parents and also gave a donation from the Hall Foundation to CCS. "My parents’ charter is ‘No poor among us,’" said Hall. "Our grandmother, Joyce Hansen Hall, left a great legacy for us to model our own service after; she always sought the opportunity to help."

Sometimes the issues surrounding poverty seem overwhelming, but that’s not the case with Tanner Neeley, said Valdez. "When Tanner was 11, he visited the pantry and noticed there wasn’t much meat for families. He started the project ‘Cash for Cows,’ and raised enough money to purchase a steer from the Weber County Fair and had it commercially butchered."

The following year, Dale Nelson heard of Tanner’s story and donated a calf to his project; this year, Tanner is raising a third steer, also donated by Nelson; many other community members have donated time, money, feed and support to Tanner, Valdez said.

Neeley received a standing ovation as he accepted his award and thanked his parents for their help and Nelson for the steers.

"It is Tanner’s hope that others will do by seeing, that one person can make a difference and that anything is possible," said Kristen Neeley, Tanner’s mother.