On June 18th the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce hosted its 97th annual meeting at Willowbend Country celebrating significant achievements related to the Cape’s water and economy.
In partnership with the Cape Cod Foundation, the Joshua A. Nickerson Society Award was presented to Tony & Lorraine Shepley of Shepley Wood Products for their community support and philanthropy over the past 40 years. The award was established in 1982 to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the well-being of Cape Cod and its people. “It’s quite an honor, both professionally and personally,” says Tony Shepley.
Mr. Nickerson was a native Chatham resident throughout his life. He was a loved and admired business leader and played a crucial part in the development and preservation of Cape Cod institutions such as Cape Cod Hospital, Cape Playhouse, and Cape Cod National Seashore. Mr. Nickerson was also a highly respected leader in the lumber industry working within the Nickerson Lumber Company from 1922 to 1975.
Tony and Lorraine Shepley have been long-time partners of the Cape and Islands United Way, Habitat for Humanity on Cape Cod, Housing Assistance Corporation, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands, and Calmer Choice. In addition to non-profit support, Tony Shepley has held leadership roles with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, the Hyannis Chamber of Commerce, Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HBRACC), Sturgis Library, and Rehabilitation Hospital of Cape Cod and Islands (RHCI).
When it comes to community, “I view ‘civic rent’ as a social obligation that we should pay back to our community,” says Tony. “Paying our civic rent is how we maintain our society and our quality of life by investing in the repairs, maintenance and the building up of the social systems around us.”