Tom Banditelli Sr., owner of Tom’s Autobody and Marine in Tamaqua, was announced today (Tuesday, April 8, 2014) as this year’s Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce’s Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship winner.
Every year for the past 51 years, a citizen from the Tamaqua area is chosen to be honored by the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce for their volunteer efforts and contributions to the Tamaqua community.
A committee, comprised of representatives from the Tamaqua Area School District, Tamaqua Ministerium, several Tamaqua service organizations, and the general public select the winner, using written nominations received from throughout the community. The nomination letters included just some of Tom’s volunteer contributions. (see below).
Banditelli will be honored at the 64th Annual Tamaqua Chamber’s Annual Community Dinner, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Hometown Fire Company.
“I really don’t feel deserving of the award,” said Banditelli, when informed of the committee’s decision. “I just try to give back to the community when I can as a thank you for their support of my family and my business. I really enjoy being able to do that.”
Some community activities Banditelli is involved with or supported include Owl Creek Reservoir Commission, Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, Tamaqua Community Arts Center, Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce and its fishing derby, Schuylkill Trout Unlimited, Schuylkill Carbon Marine Corps League Toys For Tots Program, Tamaqua Salvation Army, Tamaqua’s Santa Mailbox and parade, Schuylkill County American Red Cross, Tamaqua Baseball Association, Tamaqua Italian Club, and so on.
“This is such a great choice. Tom is so deserving of this,” said Linda Yulanavage, Executive Director, Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce. “He has contributed so much to so many over the years, without any thought to any kind of recognition. I am looking forward to honoring him at the dinner this year.”
In addition to the presentation of the Citizenship Award, the Chamber will also release its annual Community Progress Report at the dinner. Yulanavage said the report gives a snapshot of the events, accomplishments and efforts of various community groups and the volunteers who are moving Tamaqua forward. Copies of the report are used throughout the year as a marketing tool, giving prospective investors, businesses, new residents, real estate agents and the general public valuable information about the Tamaqua area.
The annual community dinner is open to the public, and reservations can be made by calling the Chamber office at (570) 668-1880.

Click HERE to view the 2-page Chamber press release, which includes statements given from a number of nomination letters.

Past award winners were:
1964: Mrs. Ella Ray Mundy (deceased)
1965: Gordon Pfeil (deceased)
1966: Mrs. Ruth Kropp (deceased)
1967: George Seligman (deceased)
1968: Rev. M.E. Detterline (deceased)
1969: A. A. “Brig” Young (deceased)
1970: Anthony J. Maff
1971: Willis R. Parnell (deceased)
1972: Paul L. Wagner (deceased)
1973: Oscar S. Werley, Jr. (deceased)
1974: Dr. Harry W. Bailey (deceased)
1975: John Lindenmann (deceased)
1976: Jacob Rimbach (deceased)
1977: William G. Guy (deceased)
1978: Chester A. Hoffman (deceased)
1979: E. Franklin Griffiths (deceased)
1980: Charles “Sam” Ghares (deceased)
1981: William A. Moser (deceased)
1982: Mrs. Elizabeth Purnell (deceased)
1983: Rev. F. Peter Muhr
1984: Robert J. Pitts
1985: Dr. Mary Malishaucki (deceased)
1986: Raymond Ripko (deceased)
1987: John Kellner (deceased)
1988: Dorothy “Tillie” Ghares (deceased)
1989: William H. Fegley, Sr.
1990: Linda Yulanavage.
1991: George Wenzel (deceased)
1992: Junior Zehner (deceased)
1993: Constantine “Gus” Depos (deceased)
1994: Sheldon Shafer
1995: Ruth Essington
1996: Nicholas J. Young
1997: Paul Scherer
1998: Floyd Zimmerman
1999: Herman Lutz (deceased)
2000: Dr. H. Bruce Geiger
2001: Robert Evans
2002: Dale Freudenberger
2003: Pat Freeh-Stefanek
2004: Judy Hoppes
2005: Curtis J. Bailey
2006: Sally Ann Neumann (deceased)
2007: Jerome P. Knowles
2008: Todd Miller
2009: Randy Gormley
2010: Emerson Musser
2011: Andrew Leibenguth
2012: Fran Stahl
2013: Matt Hope