WLS Receives 2019 Phoenix Award for Olive's Place

The 15th Annual Phoenix Awards program, presented by the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce was held May 16th at The Corinthian in Sharon, which showcases the best of the best in the Shenango Valley. The Chamber honored several area businesses and organizations (both for and non-profit) for their growth, innovation, startup, entrepreneurship, etc...

2019 Phoenix Awards Created by Blissed Out Designs

In the category of Innovation, Olive's Place Boutique and Gift Shop was nominated for and won a Phoenix Award for their recent collaboration with Whole Life Services, Inc. to re-open the SRMC Gift Shop (Olive's Place), stock it with items from Studio-C, and staff it with several of Whole Life's Consumers.

"Olive's Place Boutique and Gift Shop is a collaborative between Whole Life Services, Inc.

and Sharon Regional Medical Center to provide a unique retail space. The gift shop is located on the 1st floor of Sharon Regional and features locally made gift items and other

Members of Whole Life Services and Olive's Place Volunteers.

merchandise. Named after Olive Thompson, a long time volunteer at Sharon Regional, the shop is operated by Whole Life Services and is staffed daily by volunteers from Whole Life under the supervision of a dedicated Job Coach. All proceeds from the shop are returned to Whole Life and are used to support people receiving services and community members."

-Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce

The awards ceremony was presented by Jen Krezeczowski of Lulu Beans Cafe and Sherris Moreira of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. State Senator Michele Brooks and Representative Mark Longietti were also on hand to present each winner with Citations from the State of Pennsylvania.

WLS CEO, Cindy Vogan and Lauren Tice accepted the award on behalf of Whole Life

WLS Volunteers & Staff with the Phoenix Award and 2 Citations

Services and offered a brief thank you speech. The award is being kept at Olive's Place for display. Thank you to the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce and its members who nominated and voted for Olive's Place and Whole Life Services, Inc.

View the video presentation by: Jerry Stigliano here: https://youtu.be/zqsrdITXEv8

View Acceptance Speech by Cindy Vogan here: https://youtu.be/dYSlalyzToM

-Story & Photos by: Mark Buchanan