Evelyn Bissig Community Service Award

The Evelyn Bissig Award for Community Service is presented by the Horsham Neighbors Association (HNA) to recognize an individual who, through her or his involvement in community service activities, has made valuable contributions to Horsham Township and its residents. HNA was proud to present the 1st Evelyn Bissig Award to JoAnne Zapata at Horsham Day Juen 5, 2010.

The award is presented in memory of and to honor Evelyn Bissig, who at the time of her death in 2009, was HNA’s corporate secretary. Evelyn was one of a very small group of public service oriented citizens who got together in 2001 and formed HNA for the purpose of addressing public safety issues and working with municipal with municipal authorities to find solutions to community concerns and providing financial support through the Chiefs Advisory Teams (ChATs). Evelyn was an exceptional individual who made volunteerism and community service a way of life and whose caring and sense of responsibility resulted in extraordinary contributions to the welfare of Horsham Township and its residents.

Horsham Neighbors Association is delighted to present the first Evelyn Bissig Community Service Award to JoAnne Zapata. JoAnne was born and raised in Horsham and treasures her children and grandchildren. Ms, Zapata is the General Manager of Days Inn in Horsham and was an early partner of the ChATs program by providing rooms to Horsham Township residents that had house fires and needed a place to stay. Ms. Zapata has been very involved in the Horsham Township community for many years and has made numerous contributions. JoAnne has been a very active member in Horsham Rotary, including being a past President, and helped create Everybody’s Playground in Lukens Park on Dresher Road that was designed for handicapped children. She is also a Corporation member of the College Settlement Camps of Philadelphia. College Settlement, located in Horsham Township, provides disadvantaged children from the greater Philadelphia area with Summer camp experiences. Ms. Zapata is the current President of the Greater Horsham Chamber of Commerce and a Director of The Friends of Horsham Library.

The award was presented to Ms. Zapata during Horsham Day 2010 by Horsham Township Police Chief Robert Ruxton.