Man Of The Year Credits Mentor For Successes
Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago I was incredibly honored to receive the 2013 Man of the Year award at the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber Annual Dinner. I want to thank the WK Chamber, 1st Source Bank and the Times-Union for sponsoring the award, and I also want to make it very clear that, while I was fortunate to be the recipient, there are many, many other deserving people doing their best to make this community a better place to live and work.
I’ve been blessed with many great mentors throughout my life, and none were more important to me than the late Charlie Bertsch. Charlie taught me the importance of giving back to the community, which he did repeatedly, selflessly and quietly. I’ve always admired those traits, and though Charlie is no longer with us, he will always inspire me.
One of the main ways I try to give back locally is through the KC Riley Kids Fund. As some of you may know, I have a daughter who requires specialized medical treatment; treatment she receives through Riley Hospital for Children. My business partner, Mike Bergen, also has a son who required Riley’s care. While going through that process, we both realized that there are many local families in the same situation.
The cost of travel to and from Riley, hotels, meals and a loss of income due to missed time at work can be absolutely devastating for a family. So, with the help of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, we created the KC Riley Kids Fund, which helps local families offset those extra, non-medical costs of treatment.
Finally, I’d like to reiterate how grateful I am to receive this award. As a lifelong Warsaw resident I can think of no greater honor, especially considering the impressive list of previous winners.
Thank you.
Alan S. Alderfer