The Syracuse Area Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Recognition Night Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Rich Harvest Vineyard and Winery in Syracuse.
The Chamber recognized a Chamber Member of the Year, recognizes an individual or organization with a Community Service Award and recognizes the outgoing president. Nominations for the Chamber Member of the Year and Community Service Award are accepted and subsequently voted on by the general membership.
The Chamber Member of the Year may be a member who has been a member of the chamber for a number of years or a short time. It may be someone who has served in many capacities or someone who has served in one capacity. The Chamber Member of Year is someone who has volunteered their time and talents to the betterment of the Chamber and our community.
Two individuals tied and both were recognized with Member of the Year Awards, Eric Rapp and Nikki Wenzel.
Rapp served the chamber for the past two years first as vice president, as president in 2024 and will hold the position of past president this year. The description that was read stated Rapp committed time and energy to the chamber and strived to make the chamber better. He was instrumental in changing the meeting structure switching to an every other month schedule for general membership meetings with a chamber social such as coffee and contacts on the alternating months. Rapp was often found promoting the chamber to local businesses, passing out or distributing various flyers and always looking for ways for the chamber to give back to the community. Rapp is a Vice President at FirstBank of Nebraska and his financial background was invaluable to the chamber. Rapp helped with GermanFest coordinating the Cornhole Tournament and leading the Burgermeister Open Golf Tournament. Rapp was also recognized with a certificate for serving as president.
Nikki Wenzel has been the GermanFest Chair for three years. In the description read for Wenzel, it said she has long appreciated the annual German celebration held in Syracuse and for which she has many memories attending as a kid. Planning for GermanFest is a nearly year-long process. Wenzel handled all of the details beginning with a date selection, schedule of events, grant writing, finding volunteers and a number of other logistics that make GermanFest not only a fun cultural event for the Syracuse community and beyond but also a fundraiser for the Chamber. Wenzel was credited with bringing new and fresh ideas to the event that most recently included the Steinholding competition, the brat slinging contest and the pie judging contest. Wenzel was recognized for her leadership and her willingness to volunteer and for being an example for others and the next generation
The Community Service Award winner is an individual or individuals who volunteer and give of their time for the betterment of the community. The Syracuse Rescue Squad is the recipient of the Community Service Award.
In 2024, Syracuse Rescue Squad responded to a record 455 calls for service which is a 20% increase over the previous year. Of those 455 calls, 276 were 911 Emergency Calls, 165 were transfers to other facilities, four were mutual aid to assist other services and 10 were for fire and public events. The 15-member Syracuse Rescue Squad is led by Chief, Tim Wilson; Assistant Chief, Marcia Scheinost; Training Officer, Jen Staack; Secretary/Treasurer, Hillary Wiebusch and Stewards Kody Cardinal and Scott Wiebusch. In addition to responding to calls, Syracuse Rescue Call has two meetings a month. The first meeting is for rig checks, making sure all ambulances are stocked and expiration dates are checked and drugs rotated all in compliance with state regulations. Outside of this meeting, the stewards complete a maintenance check on the vehicles. The second meeting of the month is for training. Depending on a volunteer’s skill level, they may additionally need up to 30 hours every two years in continuing education. Volunteers on the Syracuse Rescue Squad are on call. Because coverage during the day is difficult to find, members often rearrange their schedules either taking vacation or working from home to ensure the day shift is covered. In addition to time spent on calls, reporting, maintaining equipment, training and getting continuing education hours, volunteers participate in various community events like parades, standby for sporting events and promotional activities like EMS Week fun day at the park. The Syracuse Rescue Squad fills a vital role in the Syracuse Community.
Chamber Executive Director Wendy Werner emceed the event also recognizing other board members, event chairs and past presidents attending the recognition night.
