QUITMAN — Nelda Kennedy, 84, a lifelong resident of Quitman, has been honored by the Arkansas Educational Television Network Foundation.
Kennedy received the Jane Krutz Volunteer Service Award in recognition of more than 40 years of volunteering and organizing groups from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office to work during AETN membership drives. Krutz, who died this year, volunteered at AETN for more than 45 years.
The award was among several given earlier this year in Conway at the annual volunteer appreciation and awards dinner to recognize those who assist with fundraising for public-service media throughout the year.
“Each year, hundreds of individuals volunteer their time to the AETN Foundation and AETN, performing various assignments, ranging from office work to assisting with special events or membership drives,” said Mona Dixon, AETN Foundation chief operating officer. “Our annual volunteer appreciation dinner is a special night that we set aside to recognize those individuals who make our mission possible.
“The Jane Krutz Volunteer Service Award is the ultimate. If we gave a Grammy Award, this would be it. It is the highest award we give to a volunteer. This award has only been given three times, and Jane was the first to receive it; Nelda is the fourth.”
AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly spoke of Kennedy’s qualifications for the award.
“Nelda is a prime example of the type of people who regularly volunteer with AETN — loyal, passionate, creative and a joy to be around as well,” Weatherly said. “I know how much Miss Jane Krutz appreciated her, and we all feel the same way.”