Awards presented at Family Farm Event

At the HSHS St. Francis Hospital Foundation Farm Family event, the Foundation presented two special awards this year to area residents.

St. Isidore Friend of Agriculture award

Tom Burenga was presented with the St. Isidore Friend of Agriculture award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the agricultural industry (photo right). Burenga is the seventh recipient of the award given by the Foundation’s agriculture committee honoring a local farmer.

Originally from New Jersey, Burenga's passion for agriculture began at age 10 in 4-H and continued through his involvement in FFA, where he grew tomatoes under contract for Campbell Soup, raised broilers and farmed 80 acres as a high school student. After earning his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University in 1966, he built a distinguished career in farm equipment innovation, holding 18 patents beginning with his development of a pea combine while working for FMC Corporation. In 1980, Burenga moved to Litchfield to manage the Wikomi Company, which was soon renamed Worksaver, and under his ownership and leadership as CEO, the company grew to produce over 400 implements for agriculture, industrial and construction needs with more than 70 employees, becoming a key supplier for John Deere's Frontier division, Bobcat and Alamo. A firm believer that agriculture is a great industry built on integrity and handshake deals, Burenga has also invested in the local community through partnerships with Litchfield High School, the SCI Center, and Lincoln Land Community College to develop skilled tradespeople. He and his wife Paulette, whom he credits as his number one helper and sounding board, will celebrate 59 years of marriage this summer and are the proud parents of three children: Thomas III, Christina and Tim.

Special Recognition award

The HSHS St. Francis Foundation presents a Special Recognition award when it deems there is an individual or business worthy of this honor; therefore, it is not always presented annually. This year St. Francis’ Agricultural Committee selected Victory Lane Ford and owners Gene and Stephanie Hebenstreit to receive this honor (photo below).

Originally from Gillespie, the Hebenstreits have operated Victory Lane Ford since October 1998, growing the business to include two locations — Litchfield, offering Ford products, and Carlinville, offering Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram — with their daughter, Chelsey, and son, Alec, serving as integral partners. Beyond their business success, Gene and Stephanie have been dedicated supporters of HSHS St. Francis Hospital, creating the Victory Lane Challenge, a gift-matching initiative that has generated over $120,000 for the St. Clare Center food pantry, and sponsoring the cost of box lunches the hospital delivers twice a year to farmers in the field. Stephanie has been a longtime member of the hospital Auxiliary, serving on its board, while Gene is a member of the Foundation Leadership Council. Guided by their simple business philosophy of always doing the right thing, the Hebenstreits are passionate about giving back to their community, with Gene noting, "When you help people, it comes back to you a hundred-fold."

The award was presented at the Foundation’s Farm Family event, a free event held for Macoupin and Montgomery county farmers and their families to come together for a day of health, education and community.