Greenfield community leader Sandra McNeil to be honored at March 17 open house
Lead Summary
By
-
By Katy Farber
President
Highland County
Chamber of Commerce
After 38 years of service, Sandra McNeil has retired from the Home Building & Loan Company in Greenfield.
On Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m.-noon, there will be an open house honoring Sandra at the Home Building & Loan, 355 Jefferson Street, Greenfield.
It can readily be said that Sandra McNeil is a woman of commitment: commitment to family, commitment to faith and commitment to community. Her passion and good works for the people of Highland County are remarkable.
Born in Greenfield, Sandra has spent her entire life (with the exception of a 10-year “trip” to the big city) as a Greenfield resident. She and her husband, Lowell, have been married for 56 years. They are the parents of five; grandparents of nine; and great grandparents of four.
Family means everything to Sandra, and you don’t necessarily have to be blood related to be a part of her family and reap the rewards of her compassion. Whether she is rocking a little one to sleep, offering encouraging words to a friend, or caring for the elderly, her soothing and giving nature abounds.
Part of her extended family is her “knitting” family. Somewhere around 1956, a co-worker introduced Sandra to her life’s passion: knitting. She hasn’t stopped knitting since. It is spiritual for her, and she is driven to share knitting with all. She opens her home each week for knitting class, free of charge to anyone interested.
Her “shop” is always open to those who need yarn – take what you need and just leave the money. Since 1975, Sandra has sponsored a knitting camp each fall accommodating women, ages 14-90, all enjoying the knitting that Sandra teaches and the company of the members of this “family.”
Faith plays an important part in the life of Sandra McNeil. She is a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenfield and has served as an elder, trustee and deacon in the governance of the church. Sandra has long been the choir director for the church, organizing weekly performances for the congregation. Her generosity and benevolence toward both the church and the community at large are often known only to herself, as she quietly goes about finding (and often personally contributing) resources to meet needs within the church and the Greenfield area.
It is Sandra McNeil’s commitment to community that sets her apart as a woman who is truly a leader in Highland County. In this area, her contributions are many:
As the secretary–treasurer and director of the Home Building and Loan in Greenfield for 38 years, Sandra has not only overseen the operation of this 123-year-old institution, but committed herself to helping others both in times of financial security and in times of need. Her reputation for giving time, attention, and respect to each customer who comes through the doors has been known to many and is far reaching throughout the Highland County community and beyond.
One of Sandra’s associates calls her an “enabler”… in a positive way!
She shows others how they can ease their problems, assisting any and all who come through her doors in their times of need. Her outstanding professional career has been acknowledged with an appointment to a position as a member of the Savings and Loan Association Savings Bank Board by the Ohio Senate.
Board of Directors member Peter Quance states, “The Home Building and Loan Board of Trustees appreciate the time and effort Sandra has put forth over the past 38 years and dedicated to helping everyone. She always has their best interest at heart and strives to help in any situations.”
Since 1973, Sandra has been a member of the Greenfield Area Medical Center Trustee Board. She was instrumental in keeping the hospital open and continues to strengthen the Adena – Greenfield Medical Center relationship by serving on the Adena Foundation Board.
As treasurer of the Greenfield Historical Society Sandra is charged with collecting, disbursing and accounting for the many funding streams that have enabled the Historical Society to grow into the Highland County asset it is today.
Sandra has spearheaded drives to raise money to purchase and restore the many properties and archives that will keep proper record of Greenfield’s long and magnificent history.
Throughout the years, Sandra has been very actively involved in the community groups of Greenfield Mother’s Club, Y-Gradale Sorority and Coterie.
In 2009, she was honored as a member of the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame.
As a founding member and current secretary of The Greenfield Foundation, Sandra has helped create an important tool to strengthen our community. The non-profit Greenfield Foundation is an instrument to help get things accomplished – much like Sandra herself. Projects that have been funded through the Greenfield Foundation include the city courthouse renovation and the current Mitchell Park Little League baseball program.[[In-content Ad]]
President
Highland County
Chamber of Commerce
After 38 years of service, Sandra McNeil has retired from the Home Building & Loan Company in Greenfield.
On Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m.-noon, there will be an open house honoring Sandra at the Home Building & Loan, 355 Jefferson Street, Greenfield.
It can readily be said that Sandra McNeil is a woman of commitment: commitment to family, commitment to faith and commitment to community. Her passion and good works for the people of Highland County are remarkable.
Born in Greenfield, Sandra has spent her entire life (with the exception of a 10-year “trip” to the big city) as a Greenfield resident. She and her husband, Lowell, have been married for 56 years. They are the parents of five; grandparents of nine; and great grandparents of four.
Family means everything to Sandra, and you don’t necessarily have to be blood related to be a part of her family and reap the rewards of her compassion. Whether she is rocking a little one to sleep, offering encouraging words to a friend, or caring for the elderly, her soothing and giving nature abounds.
Part of her extended family is her “knitting” family. Somewhere around 1956, a co-worker introduced Sandra to her life’s passion: knitting. She hasn’t stopped knitting since. It is spiritual for her, and she is driven to share knitting with all. She opens her home each week for knitting class, free of charge to anyone interested.
Her “shop” is always open to those who need yarn – take what you need and just leave the money. Since 1975, Sandra has sponsored a knitting camp each fall accommodating women, ages 14-90, all enjoying the knitting that Sandra teaches and the company of the members of this “family.”
Faith plays an important part in the life of Sandra McNeil. She is a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenfield and has served as an elder, trustee and deacon in the governance of the church. Sandra has long been the choir director for the church, organizing weekly performances for the congregation. Her generosity and benevolence toward both the church and the community at large are often known only to herself, as she quietly goes about finding (and often personally contributing) resources to meet needs within the church and the Greenfield area.
It is Sandra McNeil’s commitment to community that sets her apart as a woman who is truly a leader in Highland County. In this area, her contributions are many:
As the secretary–treasurer and director of the Home Building and Loan in Greenfield for 38 years, Sandra has not only overseen the operation of this 123-year-old institution, but committed herself to helping others both in times of financial security and in times of need. Her reputation for giving time, attention, and respect to each customer who comes through the doors has been known to many and is far reaching throughout the Highland County community and beyond.
One of Sandra’s associates calls her an “enabler”… in a positive way!
She shows others how they can ease their problems, assisting any and all who come through her doors in their times of need. Her outstanding professional career has been acknowledged with an appointment to a position as a member of the Savings and Loan Association Savings Bank Board by the Ohio Senate.
Board of Directors member Peter Quance states, “The Home Building and Loan Board of Trustees appreciate the time and effort Sandra has put forth over the past 38 years and dedicated to helping everyone. She always has their best interest at heart and strives to help in any situations.”
Since 1973, Sandra has been a member of the Greenfield Area Medical Center Trustee Board. She was instrumental in keeping the hospital open and continues to strengthen the Adena – Greenfield Medical Center relationship by serving on the Adena Foundation Board.
As treasurer of the Greenfield Historical Society Sandra is charged with collecting, disbursing and accounting for the many funding streams that have enabled the Historical Society to grow into the Highland County asset it is today.
Sandra has spearheaded drives to raise money to purchase and restore the many properties and archives that will keep proper record of Greenfield’s long and magnificent history.
Throughout the years, Sandra has been very actively involved in the community groups of Greenfield Mother’s Club, Y-Gradale Sorority and Coterie.
In 2009, she was honored as a member of the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame.
As a founding member and current secretary of The Greenfield Foundation, Sandra has helped create an important tool to strengthen our community. The non-profit Greenfield Foundation is an instrument to help get things accomplished – much like Sandra herself. Projects that have been funded through the Greenfield Foundation include the city courthouse renovation and the current Mitchell Park Little League baseball program.[[In-content Ad]]