Ruritan honors Citizen of Year
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The annual Morrison Ruritan Club award is presented to an area citizen in recognition of their many community contributions.
Jerry Davenport said of Hillis, ?Nobody loves this community more than Denise.? He continued by saying that throughout her life she has sought out ways to help people. ?As Carrier began the process of closing the local plant, Denise cut through red tape and roadblocks, dealt with the corporate offices, handled frustrations with grace and found numerous ways to give surplus equipment to Warren County,? he said.
?It was Denise who got people together to line Highway 55 to salute our troops as they left for Iraq,? Davenport continued. ?And when she was faced with personal adversity she set an example of courage, faith and hope that has inspired all who know her. She reaches out to individuals in need comforting and encouraging them.?
Warren Wrather spoke of her sense of humor, which was, he said, absolutely necessary in raising four boys.
?She has a heart for helping other people,? said Wrather. ?She has a deep love for her fellow man and a great desire to let Christ work through her. You can absolutely trust her.?
In thanking those at the banquet Hillis spoke of her deep love for her community. ?I have been very blessed to live here. I thank all of you for this honor and for being here to share this evening with me.?
As part of the evening, Ruritan Club president Lavel Whitehead presented Ashley Freeze Jr. with the Arry Youngblood Award for Ruritan of the Year. Club members vote on this award. It is named in honor of Arry Youngblood who for years exemplified the highest level of service in a club known as America?s leading community service organization.
Freeze has been a member of the club since July 1983 and has 21 years of perfect attendance at club meetings. He also is the club song leader and works tirelessly at the many club activities. He is an outstanding example of the dedication to service that is a hallmark of Ruritan Clubs nationwide.
In a special tribute to charter member John Jacobs, the club named him a ?Ruritan Forever.? Jacobs has been a member of the club since July 1967. He has had perfect attendance for all 38 years and has served as club president, vice president, secretary and treasurer numerous times.
?His untiring dedication to the Morrison Ruritan Club and to Ruritan National is an inspiration to all who know him,? said Whitehead.
Jacobs has also worked with the Cherokee District of Ruritan National and served two terms as a zone governor. Jacobs was inducted into the district Ruritan Hall of Fame in 2000. This honor is bestowed on only three members a year and selection is based on outstanding service to Ruritan and his community.