Community Awards Winners
Diana Jeska Named Homer’s Citizen of the Year;
Latitude 59º Named Business of the Year for 2007
Director of the Homer Food Pantry, Diana Jeska,
was named the 2007 Citizen of the Year at the Homer
Chamber of Commerce Community Awards program on
Friday, January 25th, hosted by the Homer Theatre.
Also honored, was Wendell Cummings, owner of
Latitude 59, as the Business of the year.
The winners were determined by vote of the
community, which was open to all residence of the
Homer. Other nominees for 2007 Outstanding Citizen
of the Year were Allen Parks and Julie Woodworth.
The Citizen of the Year Award is presented annually
to an individual for their continuing service to the
community, who has donated countless hours of public
service to a wide variety of organizations and
causes which benefit the entire community.
Other nominees for 2007 Outstanding Business of
the Year were Homer's Jeans and Kenai Physical
Therapy, Inc. The Business of the Year Award is
presented to a business which has supported
community activities and organizations above and
beyond what would normally be expected from a local
business and provides a worthy product or service to
their customers and employees.
The late Kevin Bell, Captain of the M/V Tiglax
and on of the founders of the Homer Hockey
Association (HHA), was named “Community Ambassador”
of the year. David Lewis of the Homer Hockey
Association accepted the award on behalf of Bell
family. Donations were collected in honor of Kevin
Bell and will be donated to HHA.
Thank you to everyone who attended to support the
community and the Chamber of Commerce.
A little background on both honorees:
Diana
Jeska
Diana's love affair with the Homer Food Pantry
began in 1995 after Diana and her husband Cliff
moved to Homer from Anchorage following her
retirement from teaching in the Anchorage School
District. Diana was home schooling her granddaughter
and wanted her to be involved in volunteer work so
they would go to the food pantry for a few hours on
Mondays to mix "monstrous" amounts of spaghetti
sauce and break down sacks of oats and rice into
small baggies. Six years ago, Diana became the "top"
volunteer and was named Directory of the Homer Food
Pantry and has been Board President since 2002.
Diana is dedicated to her calling and her job is
more than just providing food for those in need.
Each year, thousands of pounds of food must be
purchased and collected from local stores, donor
organizations and the Kenai Food Bank. There are
taxes, legal reports, board meetings, letters to the
editor, fundraisers, grant applications, thank you
letters to donors and liaison work with other
community groups, mental health, public health,
Share the Spirit, Salvation Army, the Job Center,
just to name a few.
Recently Diana initiated the incorporation of the
MAAST program whereby seniors with limited income
are given job training and a stipend for their
services; thus the food pantry benefits from
faithful help and senior volunteers find a
supportive social group and a fulfilling job.
In Diana's words, "I believe I was guided to this
work and although it is overwhelming at times, I
never cease to be amazed at the miracles that God
provides - especially on Mondays. We just couldn't
do it without some divine help... or the pick-up
guys, the check-in ladies, veggie trimmers, donut
baggers, box packers, shelf stackers, egg sorters,
lunch makers, spud growers, and on and on and on
..."
Latitude 59º
Homer's first espresso shop was purchased by
Wendell Cummings and Karen Nogle in 2005 and has
become a gathering spot for Homer's youth and young
professionals, local residents and visitors alike.
Latitude's support of our art community is apparent
as soon as you walk in the door.
The walls of the establishment are embellished
with local artists work. However, their generosity
doesn't stop there - it continues by giving both
time and donations to local non-profits such as
Share the Spirit, Vessels of Hope, Kindness Without
Borders, the Homer Chamber of Commerce and many
others. Wendell says there is no other way to get
the feeling that comes from giving. Business has
grown with the support of the community and they are
always looking for ways to "pay back".
Wendell comments "We always try to provide good
service, the best coffee and food that we can with a
good attitude. Two of our employee are life-long
Homer residents and have been here for over two
years. Good employees and the support of Homer is
what makes our place work. Without that - we would
be out of business."