HEBER SPRINGS — Ginger Beebe was the featured speaker at this year’s Heber Springs Volunteer Luncheon sponsored by the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.
The annual luncheon recognizes the volunteers of Heber Springs’ major community events throughout the year and honors one special volunteer for exceptional service.
This year’s award was presented to Jan Awalt of Heber Springs.
“She single-handedly organized Taste of Heber Springs this year,” Chamber of Commerce President Carol Johnson said of Awalt. “She is volunteering in the Chamber office with a cheery smile and helping hand at least one day every week.”
Awalt said she’s been involved in the event since it started seven years ago.
Awalt was born in Heber Springs and grew up in California. Eight years ago, after her parents and husband died, she decided to move back to the area where she still had family and friends.
Since then, she has been involved not only in the Chamber of Commerce, but also with hospice organizations and the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs.
“She’s tacked the job of being a mentor to me and many of you,” Johnson said. “She makes a difference every day by representing the Chamber of Commerce, and we are so proud of her.”
Awalt and other volunteers were treated to lunch provided by Terry Castleberry of Edward Jones Investment.
Beebe spoke about the importance of volunteerism in communities throughout the state.
“We cannot function without volunteers,” she said. “There is so much more to be done. There is probably someone you know that’s sitting at home who could volunteer. Sometimes it’s just a matter of asking.”
Beebe said she remembers visiting Heber Springs as a teenager with her family. Her father was intrigued by the process of flooding the farm land in Heber Springs to form Greers Ferry Lake and would often bring his family up to watch the water rise.
“I remember thinking how awful it was for the people, but now, how beautiful the lake is,” Beebe said.
Once the project was complete, Beebe and her family became regular visitors to the lake, and her family was one of the first to own a houseboat in Heber Springs, where they stayed on many spring and summer weekends.
“I have to say I wasn’t always happy about it on the weekends, but my family really enjoyed fishing and boating,” she said.
Beebe spoke about her projects and interests as first lady, including childhood obesity, mental health and education.
One of her favorite projects is based on Flat Stanley, a children’s book by Jeff Brown.
“I partnered with the Clinton School of Public Service. They do wonderful service projects all over the world,” Beebe said.
Clinton School students participate in the project, and she shares stories about their travels with local school children.
“Flat Stanley is a tool I use when I visit with the children,” she said. “I say, ‘Look, Flat Stanley went to Vietnam. Do you know where Vietnam is? Why don’t you get a book and read about it?’”
Beebe encouraged Heber Springs residents to volunteer at their local schools.
“Kids need good role models,” she said. “All of you in this community are an example to what other communities could be as far as volunteerism.”