He read some comments from graduates of the program at Danville High School who said, the program "had a major effect on my life," and "it has shown me I have a real future."
Rinehart said even if people didn't become involved with the chamber's program they should consider working with Boy Scouts, Big Brothers and Big Sisters or their church.
"Do it because others did it for you," he said. "Do it because we need it."
Rinehart is also the director of the Community Education program, and will become chairman of the new Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership. Clark Taylor, CEO of Ephraim McDowell Health, will be the chamber's chairman for 2006 -2007.
At the banquet the chamber presented its annual awards.
* Dr. Tom Baeker was named the 2005 Business Person of the Year.
Owner of Commonwealth Cancer Center, Baeker is well-known in the medical community for his research. He has "brought world-class cancer care" to Kentucky and worked with many community projects, including Heritage Hospice and the Danville- Boyle County Arts Commission, according to a chamber press release. "He has built one of the most respected medical practices of its kind in our region yet he has found the time to be more than a physician and a business leader."
* Symbiotix, owned by JoAnn and Tim Rice, was named the 2005 Business of the Year. Founded in 1988, the business is headquartered in Danville and has an office in Florham Park, N.J. The company works with health care and pharmaceutical industries to find medical communication solutions.
The corporation supports many school projects, West T. Hill Theater, Centre College, Great American Brass Band Festival and the Heart of Danville. It received the 2004 -2005 Extra Mile Award from the Salvation Army. The company raised $13,000 for United Way.
* Centre President John Roush and his wife, Susie, were presented a special visionary award for their work with Centre College, bringing the 2000 vice-presidential debate here, renovations and additions to the college's buildings, fundraising for the future with Campaign for a More Perfect Centre and assisting redevelopment in downtown Danville by moving the Centre bookstore to the Hub.
The couple "have been a team, leading not only Centre College but, by example, through their involvement within the community on the Heart of Danville board and the Industrial Foundation, among others," according to a chamber press release.
* Ted Baker, owner of Danville Office Equipment, was named the 2005 Citizen of the Year. Baker started as a stock boy at DOE in 1966 and became sole owner of the company in 1984.
He is a member of the Jaycees and the Rotary Club. He has served on the board of directors of the chamber, Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, the Salvation Army and Kentucky Trust. He has been a volunteer at McDowell House and the EMRMC auxiliary.
* Marieke Ritter, a parent volunteer at Perryville Elementary School, won the School Bell Award for Boyle County Schools.
She has served as the PTO president and raised money for students. An avid volunteer, she has spent many hours assisting teachers and working at school events, recruited volunteers for vision and screening tests, and worked with teacher appreciation week. She organized the school volunteer program, the fall festival and winter bazaar, and is working on a cultural awareness fair.
* The Danville School Bell Award was given to Becky Quesenberry, a parent volunteer at Hogsett Elementary School. She broke school fundraising records for the silent basketball auction and chili supper. On her daughter's birthday, Quesenberry donates a book to the library in her honor, and has been a volunteer reader in the library. She assists in the cafeteria and volunteers to assist teachers. Quesenberry also serves as president of the school's parent teacher organization.
