Helping Hands Cleaning Service received the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year Award for 2022 at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 104th Annual Awards Gala held in the Presidential Room at Elm West Banquets on March 10.
The annual award is given based on a member’s contributions to the Chamber’s success, to the betterment of both the business community and Elmhurst community, and impact in their field of business, each in the given year and historically, along with years in business and years as a Chamber member.
The award presentation was be made ECCI Board of Directors member Desiree Chen of Elmhurst University, the 2021 Business of the Year honoree, and Quigley.
Gosia Baran founded Helping Hands Cleaning Service only two months following the terrorist attacks on 9/11 after being laid off from her job at a law firm in downtown Chicago.
“Gosia is a shining example of a disheartened corporate employee who turned found the inner strength to become an entrepreneur,” stated John R. Quigley, ECCI President and Chief Executive Officer since 1999.
While still a working mother, self-admitted neatnik Baran (and her husband Tony) had become disillusioned with the service that she hired to come in to clean her own home.
The personification of the American Dream ethos, Baran is a self-made success who immigrated from Poland in 1999.
As Helping Hands’ President and Owner, Baran has shared her good fortune by hiring immigrants with stories similar to her own, supporting employee families and providing her staff with a career ladder to achieve upward mobility.
Helping Hands is a certified member of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (ISSA) and the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI), which is a Division of ISSA.
Also, Helping Hand is a verified member of Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) and a proud partner of Cleaning for a Reason in providing free cleaning services to women battling cancer.
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Helping Hands Cleaning Service raised the bar for disinfecting residential and commercial properties—employing state-of-the-art policies, procedures and products to protect the health of their customers—including ECCI’s office.
Aside from residential and commercial cleaning, the Helping Hands of today also provide condo and apartment services, moving-in and moving-out cleaning, one-time cleaning, deep cleaning, window washing, carpet cleaning and disinfecting.
Helping Hands also is celebrating its 20th year as a Chamber member
The annual award, which features a traveling trophy and permanent plaque, is named in memory of A.J. “Toche” Terrones, who served as Chamber President for nearly a decade until his death in July of 1999.
Business of the Year honorees include the Edward-Elmhurst Health (2020), Elmhurst Auto Group (2019), Elmhurst Independent (2018), Brewpoint Coffee (2017), Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria (2016), Café Amano (2015), West Suburban Office Products (2014), Community Bank of Elmhurst (2013 and 1999), York Furrier (2012), Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (2011), OEC Business Interiors (2010), Harris Bank Elmhurst (2009), Diplomat West Banquet Halls (2008), Suburban Bank & Trust Co. (2007), Larry Roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge (2006), York Theatre (2005), Synergistic Networks, Inc. (2004), The Silverado Grill (2003), Great American Exteriors (2002), Cardinal Cartridge, Inc. (2001) and Unique Travel Service, Ltd. (2000).
The new traveling trophy of an 11-inch-high glass sculpture featuring colors from ECCI’s Elm Leaf logo atop a 4.5″-inch-high glass base will be displayed by Elmhurst University until the Chamber’s 2023 Annual Awards Gala, while an award plaque with a nameplate listing Elmhurst University is on permanent display at the Chamber office.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Elmhurst Chamber’s mission is to promote an environment that creates success for local businesses and our community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.