ORANGE, Calif.—The Orange Chamber of Commerce held its annual State of the City Awards Oct. 7 honoring outstanding members of the community.
Taking place at Chapman University’s Musco Center for the Arts, Orange Mayor Mark Murphy, along with Chairman of the Orange Chamber of Commerce Al Ricci, recognized the city’s 2021 “Person of the Year,” Moira Singer.
Singer’s community involvement spans decades, including feeding the hungry at Skyview School and the old Mary’s Kitchen, founding “Connect Orange,” an organization to help link nonprofits in the city, and leading efforts to build a community art theater, among other endeavors.
“I moved around a lot as a child ... and am happy to plant my flag in Orange,” Singer said in her acceptance speech. “I’ve been here 51 years and love the city, thank you.”
This year’s “Business of the Year” award went to two hospitals: Providence Saint Joseph Hospital and Children’s Health Orange County for their efforts to provide care to patients of all ages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The demands placed on the hospitals stretched them to their limits and beyond,” Mayor Murphy said. “They served their community with strength, compassion, and dignity.”
“Small Business of the Year” was awarded to PayRunner Payroll Inc., an accounting company for small businesses run by Chris and Janette Horton.
In addition to their active role in the Orange Chamber of Commerce, the pair also volunteers for numerous nonprofits including Autism at Work, the Orange Rotary Club, and the Orange County Workforce Development, a non-profit aimed at helping displaced workers in need of employment.
The Youth Centers of Orange, a free after-school program for low-income families, won the chamber’s “Nonprofit of the Year” award after providing a safe place for kids ages five and up, among other services.
Having served over 400 children last year, the nonprofit focuses on character development by “empowering youth with the skills and strength to succeed,” according to their mission statement. Founders Joanna Fermin and Edgar Garnica accepted the award.
“We just teach kids to be good people, and I think this award shows for it,” Garnica told The Epoch Times.
This year, the chamber announced its newest award category: “Corporate Citizen of the Year,” to Manu Shah. Shah is the co-founder and CEO of MS International based in Orange, known as the largest worldwide distributor of countertops, wall tiles, and landscaping materials.
Shah’s philanthropy spans the globe, having given millions to hospitals, clinics, charities, and more. In Orange alone, Shah’s business has generated over $17 million in tax revenue over the last three years while employing 500 people.
