EFFINGHAM — Twenty-four years after Carl Koerner Jr. was named Effingham Daily News Citizen of the Year, his son, Paul Koerner, was bestowed the honor during the Effingham County Chamber Gala Saturday.
Paul Koerner was shocked; it was an award he was expecting Dr. Philip Dy to get. Koerner credited the fellow nominee for comforting his family when both his parents had cancer.
“I would run through a wall for Phil Dy,” he said as he accepted the award.
However, the numerous nomination letters noting Paul’s many contributions to the community would win him the award.
“I’ve known the nominee for over 40 years, and I’ve never witnessed a person who is more passionate about his family and friends, his faith, his business interests, and his employees or his community,” EDN Editor Jeff Long read from one nomination letter. “He’s not that quiet guy who sits in the back of the room. He gets involved. He gladly contributes his time, talent and treasures in supporting local organizations, local schools and many sports teams throughout the community.”
That support includes the Carl P. Koerner Sports Spectacular golf outing, which has raised over $1.5 million for St. Anthony and Effingham Unit 40 athletic programs. Recently, Paul Koerner was instrumental in the St. Anthony schools “Securing Our Future” campaign, surpassing the $5.5 million fundraising goal to just over $10 million. The campaign sought to grow the endowment of the St. Anthony Educational Trust to provide the funds to keep tuition affordable for families.
Paul told the gala attendees he is not the only one who devotes his time, talent, and treasures to local organizations and schools.
“All of you give your time, talents and treasures to make this community what it is, and that’s what makes this such a special place that it certainly is,” he said.
Paul compartmentalizes his life into three things, all of which are visible to those who enter Koerner Distributor Inc., of which he is chairman. Three pictures hang on a wall there that he said mean everything to him.
One is The Cross. The picture signifies St. Anthony of Padua Church, schools, his religion, and the St. Anthony family, which are very important to him.
“I take great joy in being involved with that parish and doing some of the things that we’ve done that benefited our children that bleed over onto the public side as well, and I take great pride in what’s going on always in Unit 40 and dear friends involved with that,” he said.
Another picture is of the family’s lake house, which, to him, signifies his family.
‘I wouldn’t be up here, of course, if it was not about my darling love, Kay Koerner,” he said.
Of all the things he has done, he considers his three “spectacular” children the most important.
“I could not be more thankful for the family life that I have. I had spectacular parents. I have spectacular brother, sister and now my family with the grandchildren is just a great source of joy to me,” he said.
Included in the family are Koerner Distributor and all its associates, some of whom were at the event.
“That’s been a 40-something-odd-year adventure for us, and we’ve had some great times, we’ve had some tough times – most businesses do – but we’ve enjoyed great satisfaction, and God certainly has blessed us with that very, very fine company and associates that make that up,” he said.
The third picture is of Effingham Country Club.
“That signifies to me all of you, all of my friends. As I look around this room, I know most of you. I’ve been involved with most of you in some form or fashion,” he said.
With some of those relationships lasting over 40 years, Paul said he is “truly blessed.”
During his speech, Paul noted one “dear friend,” Melissa Willenborg, who, prior to his award, won the Effingham Teutopolis News Report Volunteer of the Year.
Willenborg helped start 100+ Women Who Care of Effingham County in 2016. Since then, the organization has given over $300,000 to local nonprofit groups. She also helped revitalize the St. Anthony Hall of Fame.
“She gave her all to the endeavor and, as a result, the spring gala was introduced and has now become one of the go-to events each year,” said News Report Publisher Steve Raymond.
“It’s been proven when this person gets involved, things get done,” he said.
He added that her involvement includes the St. Anthony School Board, the Effingham Women’s Tennis League, the CEO program and the Chamber.
“There is no way to measure the hours she has spent volunteering; ask anyone in our community, and it’s likely they’ve been impacted by her work in some way,” Raymond read from one nomination letter.
Humbled by the award, Willenborg noted many attending the event also serve nonprofits in the community.
“We all know it takes a village, and I’m grateful for my village. A lot of them are here this evening,” she said.
Willenborg said the volunteer work she is most proud of is 100+ Women Who Care and encouraged any woman who has not been a part of it to come to one of their meetings as her guest.
“There’s no obligation to join, but I think you will be moved by all the things that we do to help out everyone, all the not-for-profits that are doing such great work in our community,” she said.
Other awards given at the gala included Chamber Ambassador of the Year to Tonya Siner and the Excellence in Business Awards. This year, the Chamber recognized CW Motorsports and Effingham Veterinary Clinic. Travis Bushue was presented with the 2024 Chair’s Award for Outstanding Contribution.