Wednesday, May 20th, 2015
Fennig named Outstanding Senior for his service to area
By William Kincaid
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard
Mercer County Council on Aging Director Karen Howick on Wednesday afternoon presents Phil Fennig with the 2015 Outstanding Senior award.
CELINA - The quiet hero whose impact as a volunteer has been deemed immeasurable by the Call Food Pantry, St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Mercer County Council on Aging was honored Wednesday afternoon at Romer's Banquet Facility.
Council director Karen Howick presented Phil Fennig with the 2015 Outstanding Senior award, to the applause of his contemporaries.
"Phil is the guy you know you can call when you need help," Howick said. "Whether it is a house or furniture repair or some deeper need, you know you can count on him to come to your aid, quietly, and help to make things whole once more."
Fennig spends countless hours at the food pantry, gathering and distributing food and assisting clients in other ways, according to Howick.
"I'm told recently a food pantry client came through and told the staff there that she was without a bed. Phil heard this and personally made sure the woman soon had a place to sleep," she said.
At St. Paul's, Fennig assisted in several projects, including roof repair.
"Phil not only showed up to help but brought along many family members to assist him," Howick said. "His work at the church dates back many, many years and covers many, many projects."
At the Council on Aging, Fennig is a director, building committee chairman and center sage, offering advice on many issues, Howick said.
He also is an avid woodworker, she noted.
"Phil's tool collection is legendary," she said. "I've been told that when Ace Hardware is unable to locate a tool for a client, they refer that client to Phil. His collections of wood is even more legendary."
Fennig and his wife, Cheryl, have two children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
"It is our pleasure and our honor to know and work with Phil Fennig, a gentle man who humbly gives of himself to his family and community," Howick said. "He asks for nothing in return. He does not seek the spotlight."
Fennig thanked the council and his wife.
"A lot of times people behind the scenes help me out a lot," he said. "As a whole, it's a real pleasure to just be able to help people. I think I get more out of helping people than what the people actually get by being helped."
