Architect of annual golf outing called “backbone” of organization
Blossom Hill, a Northeast Ohio-based organization dedicated to the care of individuals with developmental disabilities, has named longtime volunteer and former board member Dave Czerniak its 2025 honoree for the Ralph Zuponcic Award of Excellence. Czerniak is founder of Davcor International, a Strongsville-based manufacturer of insulation products.
It was fitting that Czerniak was surprised with the award at Blossom Hill’s annual golf outing, as Czerniak is principal architect of what has become the organization’s signature fundraising event. “Dave is a force of nature,” said Lori Inks, Blossom Hill’s director of development. “He’s been a backbone for us, giving us whatever we’ve needed and never taking no for an answer.”
In addition to spearheading development of the golf outing into the juggernaut it is today, Inks also credits Czerniak with helping to build Blossom Hill’s Haven Home residential care facility in North Royalton. “He said, ‘We’re getting this done,’” said Inks.
At Thanksgiving time, Czerniak is well known for the gourmet chocolate-covered peanuts he distributes to every Blossom Hill employee. Procured from a vendor deep in Virginia’s peanut agricultural country, staff look forward to the treat each year.
The Ralph Zuponcic Award of Excellence honors a person of distinction within the Blossom Hill organization, with a heart for service, who exemplifies the generous spirit of the award’s namesake. Zuponcic was a longtime board member and champion of Blossom Hill who passed away in 2022. The award was created to honor his legacy.