Warren County residents have proven time and time again that they have a caring and giving spirit that recognizes service to others as a responsibility.
Four individuals, who take on that duty willingly and with enthusiasm, were recognized today with Jefferson Awards, a community awards program sponsored locally by the Daily News and WBKO-TV.
Teenager Riley Miller, physician Mike Collins, community volunteer Anne Grubbs and nursing home volunteer Elaine Slamans received the awards at a breakfast attended by family, friends and community leaders.
Miller’s entry will be forwarded to Washington for national award consideration and she will make a trip to the awards ceremony.
Miller has dedicated much of her young life to raising funds for childhood cancer research, after tragedy struck her family multiple times.
Riley’s brothers, Reid and Randon, both died from a rare childhood cancer. Their deaths encouraged Riley to want to do something, so since 2005, she has been organizing Warren County’s string of Alex’s Lemonade Stands.
Her leadership has helped raise more than $87,000 for research since starting the stands here in 2005.
Somewhat reminiscent of the Saturday Evening Post covers, Collins takes his doctoring to patients where they need it – sometimes that may mean at their homes here or in other countries where medical care is scarce.
Collins also mentors young physicians and pre-medical students so that they can see the value in good old-fashioned family practice doctors.
Grubbs’ day job at Community Education often extends into the night, sharing time with her many other interests, including church, friends and community organizations.
Kiwanis Club, Girl Scouts, the former Girls Inc., the ALIVE Center, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce – all are organizations she has had a part in. Grubbs has “adopted” many of the community’s children and makes sure they are able to participate in programs such as Girl Scouts. She also cares for the area’s unwanted or less fortunate animals as a dog walker for the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society.
Slamans is perhaps best known for the volunteer work she has done for 25 years at Rosewood Health Care Center. For more than 20 years, she has been president of the Helping Hands Club at the nursing home. She makes sure residents have activities, get gifts during the holidays and receive thoughtful cards. She also does much the same for people at her church.
Those who nominated Slamans say she is a selfless and giving individual.
We want each of these individuals to know how much their work is appreciated and hope that they stand as an example to others who can begin seeing service to others as its own reward.
Author Unknown (2010, April). Honorees tremendous role models. Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.bgdailynews.com/opinion/our_opinion/honorees-tremendous-role-models/article_7cc90767-40bb-5de0-8a0b-16498951b91e.html