WATERLOO - The Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce honored area volunteers and business leaders at its annual awards celebration Thursday at The Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

Robert Buckley, owner of the Kirk Gross Co., was named the Cedar Valley business leader for 2008.

Buckley has donated his time to dozens of organizations since returning to Waterloo in 1979. He was nominated by Mike Chapman, executive director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Chapman said Buckley, a member of the museum board, made the institution's move to Waterloo two years ago possible. Buckley volunteered his time to help raise money for the move.

"Communities just need Bob Buckleys," Chapman said. "They need people who are unselfish and just step up and give their time."

Buckley also helped the museum recover from the flood last year, Chapman added.

"I thought we were done for, I really did," he said. "Bob refused to buckle."

"It was a privilege to lead that effort," Buckley said. "I wasn't expecting to do it twice."

Dan Gable, Iowa wrestling legend and Olympic wrestler, presented the award. He called Buckley one of the more exciting wrestlers he has seen.

"He would be on his back," Gable said. "Then off his back. Then on his back."

Since then, Gable said Buckley has always maintained a "good position."

Buckley is also on the Allen Hospital Board and assisted the Allen Foundation with the $15-million "Promises to Keep" fundraising effort. The campaign raised money toward the hospital's $47 million Pauline Barrett Pavilion, which houses the new Allen Emergency Department and Allen Heart and Vascular Center.

"Bob is a very energetic guy," said Jim Waterbury, Allen spokesman. "Anybody who knows him knows he puts his all into whatever he does."

His experience at Kirk Gross helped with developing the three-floors of 75,000 square feet of space.

"He's not only an excellent fund raiser but he knows how buildings go together," Waterbury said.

The Lincoln Savings Bank was selected Cedar Valley business of the year. Crystal Buzza, vice president of marketing, nominated the bank. She said the Lincoln has managed to continue expanding in a time of natural disasters and an economic downturn. The bank's foundation has also helped with recovery efforts when tornadoes and flooding hit the Cedar Valley last year.

"We knew that it was import that out communities get back on their feet,"

Buzza said she's glad Lincoln is getting the recognition from the chamber.

"We tend to be quiet," she said. "We don't overly toot our own horn, I was really excited to see the chamber get behind us."

The Cedar Valley United Way was tapped as the chamber's organization of the year.

The United Way had a record fundraising year in 2008. Ken Nelson, United Way board chairman said the donations at a time of need speaks volumes about the community.

"Given the flooding of last year and the disasters," Nelson said. "People reached into their pockets, gave their time, a part of their lives to help other people."

Joe Surma was recognized as the chamber volunteer of the year. Surma headed the My Waterloo Days committee and made the annual celebration a reality - without the help of full-time staff.

"He had to maintain the momentum," said Chamber President Bob Justis.

Two unscheduled "legacy" awards were handed out to Walden Photo, which closed December last year after three generations and 79 years of business.

Ron Steele of KWWL was also given an award for his years of broadcast work in the Cedar Valley. In presenting the award, Justis pointed to Steele's work to help area special needs children find homes through the "Iowa's Child" program.

Contact John Molseed at (319) 291-1418 or john.molseed@wcfcourier.com