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Two who serve others are honored

A community volunteer and a local hotelier receive awards from the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce.

By CHRISTINA K. COSDON
Published September 22, 2006

LARGO - The way Ellen Jensen sees it, she has been so blessed in her life that she feels she should give back to the community.

"Time is very precious to most people," she said. "And this is what I can give."

Jensen was one of two people honored this week by the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce.

Jensen was named Citizen of the Year, and Rob Van Wey, a former minister turned hotelier, was named Small Business Person of the Year.

The awards were presented Wednesday at the chamber's 54th annual banquet at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort.

In his introduction of Jensen, chamber chairwoman Laurie Bunce described her as an extraordinary lady who, "after retiring from nursing many years ago, has made a career of volunteering for many of our community organizations and charities."

Bunce noted Jensen's efforts to raise money when the Food Pantry needed $1-million to purchase its building in 2003.

"She worked day and night to make this dream a reality," Bunce said.

Jensen and her late husband, Daniel, founded the Food Pantry at Religious Community Services in 1982. For providing the community with the much-needed service, President George Bush honored her in 1991 with the Daily Points of Light award.

Jensen was teaching public health nursing at Florida State University in Tallahassee when she and her husband, a retired Navy commander, decided to move here 34 years ago.

Today, at 89, she is full of vitality and optimism.

Volunteering, she said, "is a very healthy habit." To help others, "you have to take care of yourself."

When Jensen learned she was to receive the award, she said she thought of the Bible verse, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven."

"That was exactly how I felt."

Jensen has devoted many years as a volunteer for numerous agencies.

She is the volunteer coordinator at the Largo Community Center, secretary of the Volunteer Corps advisory board, is active with Christ Presbyterian Church and the American Red Cross Vials of Life. She also is a volunteer at the Largo Cultural Center's box office.

The Small Business Person of the Year, Rob Van Wey, was described by Bunce as having "shown outstanding achievement in both business and community efforts."

"Rob was studying business when he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and changed course to become a pastor," she said.

Then, "his career path changed from being in the ministry to being in the hotel business. He has been there ever since. Still serving people, just a different platform."

Van Wey is co-owner and general manager of the Extended Stay Suburban Hotel, at 6500 Ulmerton Road, and also co-owner of another hotel in Georgia.

He divides his time overseeing operations at the two hotels.

He has been a member of the chamber board of directors and executive committee for three years.

He is chairman of the chamber's economic development committee and its trustee circle program, which has grown during his tenure.

Van Wey is married with a son and three stepsons.

[Last modified September 22, 2006, 00:33:50]