CONWAY — St. Peter’s day planner had a big chunk blocked off the evening of July 16 for the 33rd annual Community Service Awards, when the most gifted givers gathered to get some earthly due.
OK, that St. Peter keeps a day planner is purely speculative, but the good will inside the packed reception hall could lift even the lowest of spirits.
Now, of this beatific bunch one criticism may be levied - what reticent honorees!
Chief among them was the Distinguished Citizen, Freeman McKindra Sr.
“I’ve just been trying to work to be of service to the people of Arkansas, my home state,” he said, through his aw-shucks smile.
“We have all the assets we needto do great things - sunshine, rain and fresh water, and all kinds of people, and that in itself motivates me. And that tomorrow will be better than today. Because the other option is to do nothing, and that isn’t a good option.”
The adult nominees included Jim Davidson of Conway, Carol Ann Johnson of Quitman, Kristie Hayes of Rector, Thom Beasley of Jonesboro, Keith R. Brown of Hot Springs Village, and Bill Toland of Little Rock, and the winners were Anita Sue Stamps of Berryville, James Brown of Norphlet, Lorrie Lindeman of Heber Springs, Raul Blasini of Pocahontas and Theodoshia S.M. Cooper and Stella Lowe of Little Rock.
The Youth Humanitarian was Matt Eckess of Maumelle, and thenominees were Stephen A. Green of Little Rock, Hunter McCollum of McGehee, Drew Samuelson of Benton and Rebecca Mahan of Fayetteville.
The Small Corporate Humanitarian Award was presented to Reynolds Forestry Consulting and Real Estate, and the Large Corporate Humanitarian Award went to CenterPoint Energy.
The event was put together by KARK-TV, Channel 4, and the Duncan Firm, in conjunction with the Office of the Governor and the Division of Volunteerism within the state Department of Human Services.
High Profile, Pages 42 on 07/25/2010