April 4, 2006

Campbell Chamber honors ‘Two Tall Men’ Alan Aerts
and Mama Mia’s Frank Leamy at ‘Let’s Celebrate Campbell’

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

It’s been a very rough year already for the Campbell Chamber of Commerce. In January longtime chamber staffer Ron Dunham died. A short time later Executive Director Betty Deal fell ill and spent two weeks in the hospital fighting a lung infection. To this day she walks around with the aid of an oxygen tank.

Alan Aerts is not only an asset to Campbell, but he is also running for mayor of Monte Sereno and he is the number one power lifter in his weight class in the world.

That’s why this year’s “Let’s Celebrate Campbell” event was even sweeter for those assembled at the swank Villa Ragusa event this year. Alan Aerts was named Citizen-of-the-Year and the restaurant Mama Mia’s was named Business-of-the-Year and several members of the community who work with local organizations were also honored.

Citizen-of-the-Year
Alan Aerts was named Citizen-of-the-Year only one year after his business Custom Vending Services was named Business-of-the-Year. Deal describes Aerts as a tall man with a big heart. “In the past few years he’s done a lot for the community and the many charities that he and Bonnie are involved in.” In addition to his generous monetary contributions Aerts spends up to 70 hours a week (yes, he says he doesn’t get enough sleep!) attending to his many charitable ventures.

Some of the charities Aerts is involved in include Guide Dogs for the Blind, Special Olympics and he is a hearty supporter of the Heritage Theatre. Last year Aerts, together with the indominatable Sally Howe, worked ceaselessly to save the Carol of Lights celebration from a certain death after the city decided to end its participation with the event.

Aerts has been married to his constant sidekick Bonnie since 1977 and they have two sons, Kenie and David and a grandson Austin.

Deal isn’t the only one fighting health problems. Last year Aerts was diagnosed with two very serious blood diseases (one of which doesn’t even have a name yet it is so rare.) One of the diseases, polycytemia is a disease where the body overproduces red blood cells and the disease eventually leads to death.

Aerts must travel to Stanford once a month to have a large amount of blood drawn to prevent further damage to his system. When he first learned of the disease he said he was devastated. The disease does not have a cure and although it has a fairly long-term (decade long) prognosis it is eventually fatal.

But rather than letting the fatigue and distress of fighting the disease get to him, Aerts has decided to live his life to the fullest and has continued his lifelong hobby of power lifting. Amazingly, despite the disease, the 6’5”, 300 lb. Aerts is currently ranked number one in the sport of power lifting.

The chamber honors Frank Leamy III of Mama Mia’s.

In May he plans to compete in the U.S. Power lifting Federation competition in San Jose. “I may be 50 and a little broken inside, but I will out lift any 25 year old,” said Aerts who credits Bonnie as his inspiration for overcoming adversity. “Working out always makes me feel better.”

Business-of-the-Year
Mama Mia’s restaurant owner Frank Leamy III was honored for Business-of-the-Year for providing fine Italian food and for always helping out local fundraisers. “Frank is one of the nicest things to ever happen to Campbell,” said Deal. “He is always willing to help people out and he and his wife are one of the nicest couples around.”

In addition to sponsoring luncheons for the chamber, Mama Mia’s also discounts lunch for the Early Settler’s and the Country Woman’s Club.

Leamy was happily surprised by the honor. “It was a huge surprise. There are a lot of deserving people in Campbell. We’ve had a chance to help organizations out and we are very fortunate that people like our food.” Leamy owns four locations of Mama Mia’s (www.mamamias.com).

Other honorees
Earle Wigham of the American Legion Post #99 was honored for his work as the facilities manager for the West Valley Memory Post #99 where he coordinates the operation of the Post’s facilities.

Past Citizens-of-the-Year: left to right, Pete Yerkovich, Jeanette Watson, Barbara Conant, Mike Kotowski, Steve Goodman, Sally Howe, Jane Kennedy, Larry Pedersen, Don Burr, Pete Edwards, Lloyd Taylor, Dr. Art Low, Bob and Fran Sneed and Joanna Herz. Others attending the event but not pictured include Dan Furtado, Kim Brodnik, Pat Laufman, James Free and Tom Francois.

Scott and Theresa Alster of the Campbell Education Foundation were honored for their volunteer work with Rosemary Elementary School.

Pat Hagmann of the Campbell Historical Museum was honored for her many years of work with the Museum. She is currently the president.

Cindy Campbell of the Country Woman’s Club of Campbell was honored for her many years of work and especially for her efforts on the 100th year celebration in 2005.

Bob Carlson and J.R. McKee of the Kiwanis Club of Campbell were honored for their efforts with the local Kiwanis Club. Carlson is known for his leadership as president and McKee is known as the “go to” person for food for Kiwanis events.

Neil Reid of the Rotary Club of Campbell-West San Jose was honored as the Outstanding Community Service Club member for 2005. Reid can be found reading to ESL students at Rosemary Elementary School as well as volunteering for the Rotary’s various events.

Marie Davidson of the West San Jose/Campbell Lions Club was honored for her work as treasurer of the Lions Club and her tireless participation in many of their events.

Celebrate Campbell chairwoman Barbara Conant and chamber president Carl San Miguel share a ‘moment’ at the platform.

Last but not least, Betty Deal was given special recognition by the chamber and by the city for her 10 years of service to the chamber.

Aerts presented Betty with a huge bouquet and thanked her for her relentless work for the chamber. According to Aerts, “There was a huge rift between the chamber and the city before Deal came on board. Deal worked to heal the rift and she increased the membership by 400 percent not just by working 24/7 but with her love and passion for the city. We are lucky to have Betty at the helm of the chamber.”

The past couple of months have been especially rough, beginning with the death of beloved staff member Ron Dunham on Jan. 18. “Everybody on the phone liked Ron. He was a great guy and everybody loved him,” said Betty. She said she couldn’t have survived the last couple of months, Ron’s death and her illness, without the help of fellow staff members Helen Sheridan, Amy Larson and Jerry Gruwell and the board of directors.

“Betty’s the most energetic person I know regardless of age,” said Leamy. “I don’t know where she gets that energy but I want some of that coffee!”