Cox honored with Bell Ringer Award

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

CHEER Mental Health Alliance past president C.N. Womack, right, gets ready to present the prestigious Bell Ringer Award to Neal Cox for his eight years of volunteer service. Cox is the Bell Ringer’s 33rd recipient. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

CHEER Mental Health presented its annual Bell Ringer Award to McMinnville Electric System employee Neal Cox on Thursday night. He became the 33rd individual honored with the award.

The Bell Ringer Award was created in 1973 to allow the organization to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of mental health issues and the betterment of the community in general. Past president C.N. Womack presented the award, lauding Cox’s work in the community.

“The person we’re giving the Bell Ringer Award to tonight has really been involved in this community for a long, long time,” Womack said. “You can’t be a member of the Leadership class and not do well. You can’t be the president of the Chamber of Commerce, you can’t handle the money for a big organization in town, you just can’t do all the things this individual does and not be recognized.

“When you go to the fair, you see things going on about CHEER Mental Health because he’s there. I had the privilege of asking this gentlemen to come into the organization some years ago, eight years ago. He promptly responded and has done so well.”

Cox said he was surprised and appreciates the recognition.

“I’m very humbled to be listed in the recipients of the Bell Ringer Award,” Cox said. “I’m very appreciative of the fact that they named me. I’m a big supporter of mental health in our community.”

Cox said mental health issues affect many in the community and it is important to have the facilities to deal with these issues.

“In our community we have had some of our children commit suicide,” Cox said, “and, of course, older ones too, and I think that’s another sign that we have mental health problems and we just need to encourage these children, and adults, to get help.”