WEST CHESTER, PA – May 12, 2025 — JDog Junk Removal & Hauling of West Chester, The Sammarone Family (Mark, Tracy and Chelsea McGovern) and Home of the Sparrow will be celebrated at the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Annual Banquet, slated to take place at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Malvern on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 

The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet, sponsored by My Benefit Advisor, is an evening centered around honoring the people, businesses, and organizations that positively influenced the West Chester community during the previous year and beyond.

The 2024 Business of the Year Award, sponsored by West Chester University, will be presented to JDog Junk Removal & Hauling of West Chester. A Veteran owned and operated business, JDog’s team serves their community with the same values they served their country—Respect, Integrity, and Trust. JDog is focused on supporting fellow Veterans and their families, local school districts, little league teams and those in need in and around Chester County. In addition, JDog donates household goods to nonprofits like The Community Warehouse Project of Chester County, Philly Furniture Bank, Liberty Thrift, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity – recycling nearly 80% of the items they haul. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is also a beneficiary of their generosity with the donation of their resources and personnel to support the staging of the West Chester Christmas Parade.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce with this distinguished award, “said Rob Dennis, Owner of JDog Junk Removal of West Chester. “On behalf of all our active military and veteran team members at JDog Junk Removal & Hauling RDSC, thank you for recognizing our continued and proud service to the community.”

The Sammarone Family – Mark, Tracy and Chelsea McGovern will be recognized as a family as the 2024 Outstanding Citizens of the Year for their tireless work in the West Chester community. Organizations such as The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, The Rotary Club of West Chester, The West Chester Downtown Foundation and The Community Warehouse Project of Chester County have benefited from the Sammarone’s long-standing commitment to volunteerism.

“Our family is humbled and honored to be singled out from so many other hard-working community volunteers for this award,” said Mark Sammarone. “We feel very blessed to be part of such a vibrant community that has given us many opportunities to make lifelong friendships in the service of others.”

Home of the Sparrow, whose goal is to end homelessness for women and children is being recognized as the 2024 Community Service Organization of the Year, the award sponsored by Fulton Bank. Partnering with women facing homelessness and local organizations, Home of the Sparrow works to provide a safety net for single women, mothers, and their children in Chester County.

“I just learned that the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing a community service organization every year - since 1961,” said Michelle Venema, CEO of Home of the Sparrow. “I am so honored that this year, that community organization is Home of the Sparrow.  Since 1994, we have been partnering with women facing homelessness to secure housing and achieve long- term stability. Our work transforms the lives of women and children in Chester County with the goal of ensuring that they never experience the trauma of homelessness.  Thank you for this incredible recognition.  I can’t wait for the Annual Dinner in October!”

“We are so pleased to celebrate these very deserving honorees at the 2025 Annual Banquet,” said Katie Walker, President of Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. “Each of our awardees has proven their commitment and service to making our community a better place.”

Sponsors and attendees of the 2025 Annual Banquet will enjoy cocktails and dinner as they celebrate the honorees. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at info@gwcc.org, 610-696-4046 or visit www.GreaterWestChester.com. Ticket purchase information is expected to be announced shortly.

About the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce:

The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, located in the heart of Chester County, PA, is a membership based not-for-profit organization providing resources, advocacy and educational opportunities to help local businesses and entrepreneurs build relationships, promote their business, grow their network, address their most serious business challenges and become an integral part of the community. www.GreaterWestChester.com        

Media Contact:

Katie Walker, Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, katie@gwcc.org 610-696-4046 (office), 610-202-9610 (cell)