Local Voices
Tri-City Diamond Ball Honors "Big John" Haedrich of Tip Top Meats
With over two decades of service as a trustee on the board of the Tri-City Hospital Foundation, the founder of Tip Top Meats, John Haedrich of Carlsbad, was recognized for his many years of leadership and philanthropy in the community. He received the prestigious Legacy Award presented by Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall during the Nov. 2 Diamond Ball in front of an appreciative crowd of 600 people.
Big John is a name that is known and loved in Carlsbad for the delicious, quality food sold through his three-generation family business, Tip Top Meats, but also for his compassion and devoted support of the community.
Tri-City Hospital Foundation has been a beneficiary of Big John’s generosity and community involvement. He served on its board of trustees for more than 20 years, was the board’s president from 1991 to 1993 and has been involved as a sponsor and donor since retiring from the board in 2005.
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From youth sports to 4H activities, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce to seniors programs, local nonprofits and businesses have been able to count on Big John for leadership and service.
“Big John is one of our community’s larger than life personalities and a model citizen. His entrepreneurial successes and his tremendous generosity are a true inspiration to all who know him,” said Kevin Stotmeister, chair of the foundation’s Board of Trustees. “The Tri-City Hospital Foundation is delighted to honor him with the 2013 Legacy Award.”
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Good health and athletics were essential to Big John’s own youth and development in post-war Eastern Germany. They gave him the confidence and discipline he needed to find success as he pursued his early career as a butcher and ultimately moved to California, started a business and achieved the American Dream.
The Diamond Ball also featured performances by two hospital employees and one volunteer who competed for the title of Tri-City Rock Star and a prize of a recording session at San Diego’s Studio West. The winner was David Nevin, an environmental services employee at the medical center with a lifelong love of music and performance. Also competing were Sadie Sheldon, a 19-year-old volunteer in the maternal child care unit, and Cielo Cayabyab, a Tri-City payroll supervisor.
For more, see www.tricityhospitalfoundation.org or call (760) 940-3370.
