Ed Stolmaker and Marana Auto Body receive the 2019 Branding Iron Awards

As part of the 2019 Marana State of the Town Luncheon, the Town handed out their Branding Iron Awards. The Marana Branding Irons are awarded to on individual and one organization who have made a "mark" on the community.

Some of the past recipients of the awards  include former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, former Mayor Ora Mae Harn, Wheeler & Charlene Abbett, and Sargent Aerospace & Defense. 

This year the nominees were evaluated by a panel made up of Town staff and members of the Marana Citizens Forum.

INDIVIDUAL: Ed Stolmaker

Ed Stolmaker receives the Branding Iron Award from Mayor Honea on the 2019 State of the Town stage.

Previously having served as President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for 15 years, Ed Stolmaker has left a mark on the Marana Community. His partnerships with the town, businesses, and Marana Unified School District have played a major role in making it the fastest growing community in Southern Arizona.

Ed led the effort to align the Chamber to address six key efforts: business development, economic development, public policy, workforce development, improving quality of life, and regional growth; all in an effort of building business and community relationships.

During his tenure, the Marana Chamber of Commerce was named Tucson’s best chamber for three years in a row.

He gave Marana a greater platform and stronger voice through his service on the board of Arizona Chamber Executives from 2005-2009 and again beginning in 2017. He also spent 10 years on the Marana Health Center Board of Directors and served as President of Sanctuary Cove's Board of Directors.

Ed recently retired from his position as President/CEO of the Marana Chamber of Commerce, but he is still an active member of this community. Please join me in congratulating Ed Stolmaker for his impacts on the community.

GROUP: Norma and Victor Castaneda of Marana Auto Body

Norma and Victor Castaneda accept the Branding Iron Award from Mayor Honea on behalf of Marana Auto Body on the 2019 State of the Town stage.

For the organization award, we would like to recognize Norma and Victor Castaneda of Marana Auto Body. They have brought many smiles to many faces, and they always work hard to make sure anyone and everyone in Marana is taken care of.  They have been seen on multiple occasions at Circle K, McDonalds, on frontage roads and even in the desert helping others on their own time, free of charge. From helping with tows, jumping a car that is dead and even giving people on the streets food, these people are extraordinary with the largest of hearts.

It's not all business for this small-town body shop. It's about helping the community and the people that live here. They truly make a difference.  

Jacob Cox receives 2019 Youth Legacy Award

Jacob Cox accepts the Youth Legacy Award from Mayor Honea on the 2019 State of the Town stage.

As part of the 2019 Marana State of the Town Luncheon last week, the Town handed out their third annual Youth Legacy Award.

AWARD HISTORY

The Marana Town Council created the Youth Legacy Award in order to acknowledge youth in the community who make Marana a better place for everyone. Recipients of this award benefit others in the community through acts supporting:

Heart: promoting a healthy and supportive environment for youth;

Body: Fulfilling essential needs such as food, shelter, and safety; or

Mind: Creating educational opportunities enriching young minds. 

This year the nominees were evaluated by a panel made up of Town staff and members of the Marana Citizens Forum.

Jacob Cox

 For the last three years, Jacob Cox has run the school supplies drive at Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary. He began in 2015 as a third grader, and the intent was to take school supplies with him on his summer trip to Peru and deliver to a small school in the mountains where many students didn't even have shoes to wear, much less have supplies to use for learning.

Jacob expected to have a few handfuls of crayons, pencils and some notebooks to take with him, but when he went to pick up the supplies from the drive, the boxes were overflowing. The response from the students, teachers and parents were overwhelming.  

When he went back to school after his summer break in Peru, he made another presentation to his school with photos of some of the students who received the supplies. The joy on the faces of the students who were getting their very first backpack, or their own box of crayons for the first time, is indescribable.

Jacob was limited on what he could take with him to Peru, so to ensure all supplies went to a new home, he worked with another school in the district to get the supplies to the teachers and students who needed a little help. Jacob went on to run the supply drive for the next 3 years, up until his last summer in elementary school in 2018.

Alicia Sanchez receives 2018 Marana Youth Legacy Award

Alicia Sanchez accepts the Youth Legacy Award from Mayor Honea on the 2018 State of the Town stage.

As part of the 2018 Marana State of the Town Luncheon last week, the Town handed out their second annual Youth Legacy Award.

Award History

The Marana Town Council created the Youth Legacy Award in order to acknowledge youth in the community who make Marana a better place for everyone. Recipients of this award benefit others in the community through acts supporting:

Heart: promoting a healthy and supportive environment for youth;

Body: Fulfilling essential needs such as food, shelter, and safety; or

Mind: Creating educational opportunities enriching young minds. 

This year the nominees were evaluated by a panel made up of Town staff and members of the Marana Citizens Forum.

Alicia Sanchez

Alicia Sanchez is a Marana High School alumni and is highly engaged in her community. Passionate about public safety, her involvement began when she participated in the Criminal Justice Career and Technical Education course at Marana High school. During her senior year, she participated in the Marana 2.0 internship program where she hosted an event to create relationships between Marana Police Officers and Marana high schoolers.

By bringing officers and students together, Alicia has contributed toward promoting a healthy and supportive environment for youth and has created an educational opportunity to enrich the minds of her peers. Alicia plans to pursue a career in Criminal Justice to eventually become a detective.

Dr. Monica Fowler and Northwest Landscaping receive the 2018 Marana Branding Iron Awards

As part of the 2018 Marana State of the Town Luncheon, the Town handed out their Branding Iron Awards. The Marana Branding Irons are awarded to on individual and one organization who have made a "mark" on the community.

Some of the past recipients of the awards  include former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, former Mayor Ora Mae Harn, Wheeler & Charlene Abbett, and Sargent Aerospace & Defense. 

This year the nominees were evaluated by a panel made up of Town staff and members of the Marana Citizens Forum.

Individual: Dr. Monic Fowler

Dr. Fowler receives the Branding Iron Award from Mayor Honea on the 2018 State of the Town stage.

Dr. Monica Fowler is a Marana resident and owner of Fowler Chiropractic. She is a licensed chiropractor specializing in sports medicine and prenatal care. In addition to providing care throughout the region, she takes every opportunity to give back to the community.

Every holiday she collects the names of children in need and will hand-deliver purchased and donated items to well over 800 children. She is a devoted member and ambassador of the Marana Chamber of Commerce as well as the Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee.

Northwest Landscaping LLC

Greg Brchan and Chris Fisher accept the Branding Iron Award from Mayor Honea on behalf of Northwest Landscaping on the 2018 State of the Town stage.

Northwest Landscaping LLC is owned by Chad Berg, Glenn Brchan, and Steven Chrismer and was founded in 2000 as “Landscaping by Northwest”. They serve residential and commercial markets from Nogales to Casa Grande and have based the company’s services on a proactive approach to Sonoran Desert landscape services. 

In the case for Gladden Farms and Saguaro Bloom neighborhoods, they are considered a true community partner. They have a strong commitment to community values and go much further than just providing professional landscape services.

Northwest Landscaping regularly participates in neighborhood events, often volunteering to set up, tear down, and provide staff members in order to ensure a successful event for the community. They support residents in hard times by volunteering their services to those enduring medical hardships or deployments.

This organization has made themselves an essential part of the community and serves as an excellent example of how businesses can create impactful relationships with their neighbors.

Marana Accepting Nominations for Community Awards

Every year, Marana recognizes members of our community who exemplify the values of integrity, service, and commitment to improving the lives of others. Marana is seeking nominees for the Branding Iron and Ora Mae Harn Crystal Legacy Awards. This year, these awards will be announced at Founders’ Day on March 25, 2017. The deadline for nominations is February 26, 2017.

The Marana Branding Iron is awarded to individuals who have made a "mark" on the community and have made a substantial contribution to the Town. Past recipients include former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Wheeler & Charlene Abbett, and Sargent Aerospace & Defense. 

Two Branding Iron Awards will be given at Founders' Day: one in the Individual category (includes an individual resident or non-resident who works in Marana), and one in the Organization category (includes civic groups, non-profits, and private businesses). The person submitting the nomination cannot nominate himself/herself. Past recipients are not eligible. The submission may be awarded in memoriam. 

The Ora Mae Harn Crystal Legacy Award honors the memory of the “Matriarch of Marana.” Ora Mae Harn served on Town Council from 1985-2001 and was mayor on two occasions. To further recognize her commitment to the community, the Town in 2001 named a district park in her honor. During her many hears of commitment to Marana, she was director of the Marana Health Center, instrumental in the formation of the Marana Community Food Bank, and a founding member of the Marana Rotary Club. She also founded and served as the first president of the Marana Heritage Conservancy. Ora Mae Harn exemplified leadership, volunteerism and a steadfast commitment to the community of Marana. 

The Ora Mae Harn Crystal Legacy Award honors Mrs. Harn's dedication and service to the Town of Marana by recognizing individuals or businesses that promote her commitment to the Town of Marana through exemplary volunteer service. 

Nominees for this honor cannot choose themselves, must be living, own a business or live in Marana, not be an elected official, and not be a member of the selection committee. Selection is based on any or all of the following criteria:

• Develops and/or sustains creative solutions to community needs

• Organizes and directs an activity of exceptional importance and complexity

• Serves in a leadership position and personal expertise that has enabled the applicant to contribute valuable service to the community

• Exemplifies of the spirit of community service

• Serves as a role model for others in the community

• Inspires others to engage in volunteer service

• Develops the virtues and skills of civic engagement and social responsibility

• Performs work that has facilitated better understanding and made a significant improvement in human relations, social welfare, and justice among diverse groups

These awards give Marana the chance to share the outstanding work of the people in this community. If you know of a person or group who is contributing to Marana, please consider nominating them for one of these awards.