Tonight’s Benedum Fellows Banquet wasn’t quite as well attended as it has been in recent years, but the tradition continued, with plenty of smiles, handshakes and congratulatory remarks.

 

Another name was added to a long list of honorees, each chosen over the past 20 years for his or her character and giving spirit.

 

The 2014 Michael L. Benedum Fellow Award recipient is LuAnne Bush. She was honored tonight at Bridgeport Conference Center.

 

“The whole concept of the banquet is to honor people who do a lot of volunteer work and philanthropic type things –not necessarily with money, but with their own time and abilities, much like Michael Benedum did,” said Ruth Allen of the Benedum Fellows Committee. “Here’s a man who was almost totally bankrupt and turned out to be one of the world’s richest men, who during his time did a lot for the whole area and the work of his foundation continues that work.”

 

 Bush has served the area through her work on various boards and organizations, Allen said.

 

“And she doesn’t just join a group; she becomes an active part of that group.”

 

Vice president of WesBanco’s Johnson Avenue branch, Bush is active with Medbrook Children’s Charities, Clarksburg-Harrison Regional Housing Authority, Mountain Opportunities Corporation, Harrison County Student Achievement Board, Rotary Club of Harrison County, Clarksburg League for Service, Bridgeport Kiwanis Club, Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and Harrison County School Nurses’ Discretionary Fund, among other organizations. She is also an active member of Duff Street United Methodist Church.

 

During a late-June interview, Bush told Connect-Bridgeport:

 

“I believe that the opportunity is out there to give back and many people miss out on that.”

 

Bush also said that her parents raised her to know how important it is to serve a community through time and volunteerism.

 

The honoree was introduced by Joseph Timms, former mayor of Bridgeport. 

 

Also honored tonight were Benedum Festival Pageant Director Judi Giffen and Festival Treasurer Eileen Frank. Both have been involved with organization of the festival since its 1994 beginning. Both have displayed passionate dedication, given selflessly of their time and earned the recognition bestowed upon them this evening,  Allen said.

 

Tonight’s speaker was Rev. Gary McGrew, former pastor of Bridgeport Presbyterian Church. Also sharing a few words was Benedum Festival Chair Jason McCall. Emceeing the event was 2014 Benedum Festival Queen Danielle Hamner.

 

Hamner was excited, she said,  not only to sport a dress which she purchased in Pittsburgh especially for the occasion, but also to serve as master of ceremonies for an event which commemorates the history of Bridgeport – her own hometown. (Read more about Hamner this weekend on Connect-Bridgeport.)

 

Teen Queen Courtney Trader did the honors of reading words of Michael Benedum, traditionally delivered during the Benedum Fellows Banquet.

 

About 60 individuals attended tonight’s banquet, which was sponsored by the Exponent Telegram.

 

Considered the modern day founder of Bridgeport, Benedum spent 70 years in the oil and gas industry. He retained a lifelong affection for West Virginia, Bridgeport, Clarksburg and Harrison County, which he expressed through many philanthropic projects, including the restoration and beautification of the Bridgeport Cemetery, construction of a new Methodist Church and a Civic Center for the citizens of Bridgeport - located at the site of the home where he was born and raised. He also established the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to help further higher education.

 

Editor's Note: Photo of Giffen, Hamner, Bush, Trader and Frank by Tyler Vincent of Ben Queen Photography. To see more of Vincent's images of tonight's banquet, click HERE.