August 2, 2023 – Several local shining stars were honored for their significant impacts on Macon County at the Community Foundation of Macon County’s 19th annual Do Something Great Awards this afternoon.
“It’s a chance to celebrate and thank them for tireless service and also to motivate others to emulate what they’re doing,” Duane Noland, a member of CFMC’s board of trustees and the event’s master of ceremonies, remarked about the celebration.
CFMC hosted a presentation luncheon at Richland Community College today to honor Macon County changemakers through seven awards, recognizing contributions to the community through inclusion, support to the arts, philanthropy and more. Five individuals, a local organization and a husband-and-wife couple were nominated, selected and praised for their work at the annual ceremony, encouraging others to ‘be the light’ and drive meaningful change in their own lives.
The presentation began with a video highlighting each honoree’s work in the community. Awards were presented to winners by their respective nominators, and each gave brief remarks. Although the recognized individuals come from various professions, backgrounds and walks of life, they shared a common commitment to spreading positivity and making a difference in the lives of those around them.
“So often these individuals are in the trenches and they have a servant’s heart and they’re working hard—not for accolades, but because they want to serve and make a difference in the community,” Noland said. “They’re what makes our community tick and run.”
Attendees left the celebration with a symbolic box of matches, meant to encourage them to ‘spark’ change in the community. CFMC President Natalie Beck closed the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of being a “fire starter,” just like this year’s awardees.
“That’s the role of all of us,” Beck remarked. “We have to inspire, we have to nurture—you all have the ability to do that.”
2023 Do Something Great Award Winners
- Outstanding Volunteer/Board Member: Kay Nims, nominated by Rikki Parker
- Award of Excellence in Inclusion: Rich Hansen, nominated by Evelyn Hood
- Outstanding Young Philanthropist: Maroa-Forsyth High School’s National Honor Society and faculty representative Ken Parks, nominated by Joanie Keyes
- Outstanding Philanthropic Support of the Arts: Dina Fryman, nominated by Jerry Johnson and Penny Williams
- Outstanding Professional Partner: Nick Lane, nominated by The Community Foundation of Macon County
- The Ray Batman Nonprofit Professional of the Year: Gail Evans, nominated by Angel Lawrence
- Robert and Bev Ketenbrink Community Commitment Award: Vinnie and Debra Barbee, nominated by Brian Conerty
For more information about the Do Something Great awards, including this year’s celebration video, click HERE. To view photos from the event, check out the NowDecatur photo gallery HERE.
