RUSSELL — Awards for outstanding community contributions were handed out recently during the annual Russell Area Chamber of Commerce banquet.
The 2013 winners are:
Lifetime Award: Family of Harry Hunsley III
Non-Profit of the Year: Russell County Area Community Foundation
Business of the Year: Town and Country Vet Services- Dr. Matt Nichols
Volunteers of Year: Traci Wieger and Micky Johnson
Community Service: Janae Talbott
The following remarks were included in the winners’ nominations:
Community Service Award: Janae Talbott
This individual utilizes her time during work to promote Russell Area, Coordinate with businesses for expansions, and bring in new businesses. In her personal time, she strives to help our area to thrive by lending her talents to fundraising efforts, community events, and even donates a portion of her jewelry line proceeds to Paws For a Cause.
Business of the Year Award: Town & Country Animal Hospital
Great businesses are built upon the principles of super customer service, competitive prices, and exceptional products and services. This business embodies all of those things. In addition, this business displays such genuine, heartfelt care for its patients and their owners. The staff always accommodates and treats the animals with kindness and respects the wishes and concerns of the pet owners.
Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award: Russell County Area Community Foundation
This organization demonstrates unyielding willingness to fund such wonderful projects as the Gorham City Park, Russell Main Street, Inc. Flag Project, Russell Community Theatre expansion and Children’s Theatre Camp, and the Russell PRIDE Paint and Cleanup Projects. In addition to the countless entities this organization also aids in giving area high school students an opportunity to receive scholarships to fund higher learning experiences at colleges of their choice.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Micky Johnson and Traci Wieger
Volunteerism is the giving of one’s time, services, and talents openly without hesitation. In 2013, Russell Celebrations orchestrated one of the largest three-day events in Russell’s history. Multitudes of sponsors and volunteers, however, two individuals in particular truly invested their all into the Freedom Fest Event. They performed tirelessly to ensure the success of the multi-faceted event.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Harry Hunsley
Harry Hunsley was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He also was a member as Past Kansas District Governor of Kiwanis Club, Past Master of Russell Masonic Lodge #177, Isis Shrine, Past President of Russell Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Habitat for Humanity, BPOE, board member of Post Rock Opportunities Foundation, Board of Kansas Society of Professional Engineers and well as chapter president, City of Russell Council member, Russell Library Advisory board. He founded and served as Chairman of Russell PRIDE Committee, chaired Russell Economic Development Board, and active member of the Russell Community Theater.
Miss Kansas 2013, Theresa Vail of Manhattan, was the evening’s keynote speaker. The banquet was held January 23 at the Fossil Creek Hotel and Suites Dole-Specter Conference Center in Russell.