By WILL KANGAS
January 22, 2011
MASON — A statue of a large Root Beer swiggin’ bear is in the front lobby of the Mason A&W.
Manager Jeff Haueter was posing for a photo and had a funny but honest answer when an employee was asked to stand next to “the bear.”
“Which one?” he asked.
Haueter’s restaurant is truly a reflection of him.
He makes sure he is involved in his community every day, just like his business. And because of this, the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce has named him the “MACC 2012 Citizen of the Year.”
The annual award recognizes citizens who have made significant contributions to the community over several years through their caring and concern, and Haueter’s done just that although with a dose of modesty.
“It not just me,” he said. “It takes a group of people that want to help to really make a difference.”
Endlessly a helper
It starts with the A&W, which has been in Mason for 37 years. The restaurant hosts spaghetti dinners throughout the year to help various charities. He makes sure to be there for Mason’s annual 9/11 memorial “Mason Cares,” to help feed volunteers.
Haueter also doesn’t hesitate to be on the scene when firefighters are battling a blaze to help out in any way he can.
“They have appreciated it so much that they are going to put me in the auxiliary unit,” he said.
“The idea is that even though A & W is a national restaurant it is locally owned, which means we want to be part of Mason not just from a business standpoint but in an overall steward of the community.”
Haueter is also very active in his church, St. James, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He said he is also proud of his role with Mason Optimists Club and its yearly fishing and outdoor event for kids.
“We thought it would be a good idea to have a special day when kids can come to Burchfield Park and fish, hike, try out a bow and arrow and do some outdoor things for free,” he said. “For some it is an introduction to the many fun things there are to do outside of the house.”
Haueter will be recognized for his contribution at a special dinner on Feb. 8 at the El Dorado Golf Course and Banquet Center.
The annual MACC awards dinner will also be celebrating its 40th year and will have a presentation for past MACC charter members.
Others receiving awards this year include Jeremy Mills of Mason High School’s Summit campus for educational excellence, Scott Shattuck for his leadership and assistance in preserving local history, Robin King-Fuller for the President’s Award, and Dart Bank for the “Excellence in Business” award.
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