The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce recently presented its Citizens of the Year, Community Service Organization of the Year, and Business of the Year awards.
The chamber recognized the Sammarone family as the 2024 Citizens of the Year; Home of the Sparrow as Community Service Organization of the Year; and JDog Junk Removal and Hauling as Business of the Year during its annual meeting.
Citizens of the Year – Sammarone Family
For Mark and Tracy Sammarone and their daughter, Chelsea Sammarone McGovern, service isn’t a hobby; it’s a family affair, according to a press release. When Mark Sammarone moved from working in retail to the insurance business, he joined the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce to network.
Both Mark and Tracy Sammarone have been volunteering in the community for years, according to a press release. They got involved in West Chester’s 2023 Bicentennial Celebration — leading the first quarter of the year-long celebration, organizing a parade from the hospital to WCU’s South Campus, kid-friendly events and endless details.
Tracy Sammarone has chaired Up on the Roof, the West Chester Downtown Foundation’s fundraiser, which has grown from a small gathering to more than 400 people and has raised over $350,000. She has chaired the Downtown Foundation’s Community Grants Committee, served on the West Chester YMCA Board of Advisors, and helped the Chamber and Rotary with everything from spring cleanups to hanging holiday greens downtown.
Mark Sammarone has chaired the chamber board, served as president of the Rotary Club of West Chester, as treasurer of West Chester University’s Student Services Inc., chaired the board of the Community Warehouse Project, and volunteers with Good Works to repair homes for low-income neighbors.
After graduating from Duquesne University, Chelsea Sammarone McGovern joined the West Chester Area School District in 2020 and helped launch its cyber school program. She founded the Rotary’s Passport Club and was named a policy fellow with TeachPlus, working alongside teachers statewide to shape education policy.
Community Service Organization of the Year — Home of the Sparrow
Based in Chester County, Home of the Sparrow helps women and children in the community. Founded in the mid-90s, it now serves 900 to 1,000 women and children each year, the chamber said in the press release. The organization’s mission is to end homelessness by focusing on core principles like resiliency, adaptability and compassion.
“We help women and children on the brink of homelessness avoid the trauma of actually being homeless, and lead them on a path towards stability, both financial and with housing. It’s fulfilling work. Being recognized by the chamber elevates us further in the community. We’re grateful for our association,” Michelle Venema, CEO, Home of the Sparrow, said in the release.
Home of the Sparrow guides women into one of six different programs: Eviction Prevention, Pre-Senior Housing, Shared Housing, Supportive Housing, the Women Reentry and Assessment Program, and the Graduate Outreach Program.
Every woman who interacts with the organization is facing a set of challenges, and the programs help address those needs, according to the release.
In order to make women’s dreams of stability a reality, the organization relies heavily on the generosity of the community. The organization receives some governmental funding, but approximately 85% of its budget comes from foundation, corporate, and individual donations, the chamber said.
Part of that fundraising effort entails three big annual events that help offset costs: The Walk for Women event at the Rajent Corp. in Great Valley Corporate Park; an annual golf outing; and a fashion show hosted at the Desmond Hotel each fall.
Business of the Year — JDog Junk Removal and Hauling
The Greater West Chester Chamber’s Business of the Year goes to companies that not only thrive but also make their community stronger. This year, that recognition goes to JDog Junk Removal and Hauling, a business that proves hauling away people’s unwanted stuff can actually be a mission of service, second chances, and connection, the chamber said in the release.
Owner Rob Dennis, a National Guard veteran who went from high school football coach to multi-franchise business owner, made sure his team focused on the important things: trust, building discipline, and always keeping the bigger picture in focus.
Despite the competition, JDog has found a way to stand out. Roughly 80 to 85 percent of its employees are veterans. Many come through the Compensated Work Therapy program at the Coatesville VA. For them, JDog isn’t just a paycheck; it’s a bridge back into civilian life. All of them get something more important than work, according to the chamber.
JDog’s main focus is junk removal, but about 75 percent of what it collects is recycled, repurposed, or donated. The Coatesville VA is a big partner.
JDog has also become the go-to for property managers, small businesses, and even large corporations that need help with everything from clearing bulk trash to moving out office furniture. These are long-term partnerships built on trust, the release stated.
“I’m glad our hard work and genuine love for it is being recognized. That’s a huge thing. I love being a part of this community. It really means a lot to all of us. We do it because we really mean it, but to be recognized really means a lot,” JDog manager Joe Cook said in a statement.
