Board President Honored for Spreading Positivity
The United Way of Pekin is proud to announce that our Board President, Brad Barnard has been recognized with the prestigious Sunshine Award from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. This honor celebrates his outstanding dedication to fostering community spirit and creating meaningful connections throughout our community.
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Amy McCoy presents Brad Barnard with the Sunshine Award at the quarterly breakfast on Sept. 26th 2025.
Building a Community, One Post at a Time
The award recognizes his visionary work in establishing the "Positive on Pekin" Facebook page, a digital gathering space that has become a beacon of light in our community. In an era where online interactions can sometimes turn contentious, this platform stands as a refreshing alternative—a place where neighbors come together to celebrate what makes Pekin special.
The Positive on Pekin page serves multiple purposes: it shares uplifting stories about local residents and businesses, highlights fascinating historical tidbits about our area's rich heritage, and provides a welcoming environment where people can engage in constructive dialogue without fear of negativity or conflict.
More Than Just a Facebook Page
What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a vital community resource. Residents regularly turn to the page to discover forgotten stories about Pekin's past, celebrate present-day achievements, and connect with fellow community members who share a love for their hometown. The page has become a model for how social media can be used to strengthen, rather than divide, our communities.
This recognition from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce reflects not just one person's efforts, but the collective spirit of everyone who has contributed to making Positive on Pekin the success it is today. We congratulate our Board President on this well-deserved honor and look forward to continuing this important work of spreading positivity throughout our community.
Together, we're proving that a little sunshine can go a long way. #UnitedIsTheWay