Playa Bowls Recognized As Newtown Business Of The Year

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown location of Playa Bowls has been named “Business of the
Year” for 2022 by the Newtown Business Association.

The award was one of a handful of honors the business-based organization doled out during its Winter Awards Breakfast held inside the Historic Newtown Theatre.

The Business of the Year award is presented annually to an “exemplary” NBA-member business for helping fulfill the NBA’s mission of promoting Newtown as a great place to live, shop and work.

This year it was accepted by NBA Board Member Leah Patterson on behalf of Playa Bowls.

NBA Board Member Heather DiPrato presents the Business of the Year Award to Playa Bowls, represented by Leah Patterson. (photo by Lynn Goodwin)

"This company has dedicated time, support and participation in an effort to help the NBA as an organization, in turn supporting the NBA's mission of promoting Newtown as an ideal place to live, shop and work," said NBA board member Heather DiPrato in presenting the award.

The NBA presented its Humanitarian Award to the Gene and Marlene Epstein Foundation for its philanthropic work in Bucks County and around the nation.

The Humanitarian Award honors an individual or group that embodies a selfless commitment to serve others with a generosity of spirit and a heroic dedication to help strengthen and improve Newtown and the surrounding area.

NBA Vice President Dan Petty of Edward Jones, left, presents the Humanitarian Award to Gene and Marlene Epstein. (photo by Lynn Goodwin)

The Foundation has helped raise thousands of dollars through its challenge grants for the hungry in Bucks County and in partnership with the Bucks County Opportunity Council. Other donations have been made locally to Shop With A Cop, the Council Rock North Marching Band, the Angel Tree project and many others.

The Foundation has also supported “Bridges to Higher Education" at the Bucks County Community College, Give a Christmas since its inception, the Peace Center in Langhorne, the Bucks County Community College (largest donation ever), Epstein Street Medicine, the Bristol Township and Neshaminy school districts, the Heritage Conservancy, the Boyertown Auto Museum in addition to sponsoring three parties of appreciation for 1500 nurses and healthcare workers from St Mary Medical Center, Lower Bucks Hospital, Cooper Hospital and others during the pandemic.

The NBA presented its President’s Award to Vicki Davis of Univest Bank. Davis is a member of the NBA’s board of directors and co-chairs the NBA’s business expo.

NBA President Dave Marcolla of Keller Williams Newtown presents the President's Award to Vicki Davis of Univest Bank. (photo by Lynn Goodwin)

The award recognizes an NBA member whose dedicated leadership and outstanding contributions exemplifies the spirit of giving back to the community by making the services of his business available to support charitable and nonprofit endeavors.

The NBA’s Unsung Hero Award went to Jack Bowen of the Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth. The award recognizes NBA members whose selfless acts of giving without personal attention exemplifies the highest levels of community spirit.

NBA President Dave Marcolla of the Dave Marcolla Group presents the Unsung Hero Award to Jack Bowen of the Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth. (photo by Lynn Goodwin)

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Tina Leck of Leck Waste Services. Leck served on the NBA board and chaired the Newtown Holiday Parade in 2022. She has chaired the parade numerous times over the years.

The award is given to a member or nonmember whose selfless acts of giving without seeking personal gain or attention exemplifies the highest levels of community service.

NBA Board Member Andy Rich of Sandler Training/BizDev3.0 presents the Distinguished Service Award to Tina Leck of Leck Waste Services. (photo by Lynn Goodwin)

And the Newtown Rotary Club accepted the NBA’s Community Service Award. The club is led by former NBA President Mick Petrucci.

Exemplifying the club’s motto of “Service Above Self,” the members organize an annual golf outing in support of Pickering Manor, collect bikes annually for Pedals for Progress for shipment overseas to developing nations and holds “Hope on the Vine,” a spring event that pairs wine and food with fundraising for charitable causes.

The award recognizes members whose dedicated commitment and meritorious service exemplifies an outstanding contribution to the community through benevolent acts and dedication of significant volunteer hours.

The NBA presented its Community Service Award to the Newtown Rotary Club. (photo by Lynn Goodwin)

“It was an absolute honor to be nominated and then being chosen for the award,” said Petrucci. “The club does a tremendous amount of work both locally and internationally. To be recognized by such a wonderful organization is an honor in itself. We couldn’t be more thrilled.

“As Rotarians we don’t do things to be recognized,” added Petrucci. “We do it because we believe in service above self. It’s not about the me. It’s about the you. But to be recognized as an entire group for our 70 years of service and giving back is truly humbling.”

The mission of the NBA is to promote Newtown as a great place to live, work, shop and do business, thereby enhancing the economic vitality of the community for member businesses through networking, education, community involvement and coop advertising opportunities.