Our 2021 Difference Makers are...

I’m excited to be able to make a big announcement for the Daily American Republic this year.
This is a moment that took months of planning to accomplish.
Today, we’re announcing the finalists for our Difference Maker of the Year banquet.
Every single person in the group of 10 finalists has given generously of their time and talents to improve our communities, something that is invaluable, especially in this day and age.
Before we name those finalists, I’d also like to thank everyone who submitted nominations this year. There were many wonderful people nominated and it was a very difficult choice for the judges in selecting just 10 finalists.
On Aug. 19, we’ll announce the Difference Maker of the Year from this group of finalists during a banquet at the Black River Coliseum.
In this year’s group of finalists, we also have three sets of people that were nominated as a group.
The 10 finalists are, in alphabetical order: Brenda Allen, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity; the Buddy Ball committee, which organizes ball games for children with special needs; Tom Burns, a retired volunteer Butler County Sheriff’s Department deputy; Misty Dodson, who works with children in foster care; Michelle Hessling, who volunteers to help people who are homeless; RT McCain and Jason Matlock, nominated as a pair for their work providing programs for children in the community; Linda Nelson, a volunteer with O’Neal Elementary; Jimi Waggoner, nominated for his work in faith-based addiction recovery; and Jim Ward, a volunteer with the food pantry Bread Shed; and SEMO Honor Guard, volunteers of which attend funerals for veterans and service members.
This group of people has touched so many lives in a positive way, it is hard to express our appreciation for the work they have done, but we hope the celebration Aug. 19 conveys some of that gratitude.
We will feature each of these finalists in a special section that will be distributed in the Aug. 14 print edition and on our website. These articles will talk more about the programs they support and why they do what they do.
We will also have videos featuring the finalists and those who nominated them that will be shared on our website and Facebook page in the coming weeks.
And on Aug. 19, we will name the Difference Maker of the Year. We will also be making a donation to FosterAdopt Connect from proceeds from the event. FosterAdopt Connect provides support to children and families as they navigate the child welfare system.
The evening will also feature a catered meal, a live band, silent auction, games with chances to win cash, and a cash bar. The band will be Just Enough, whose members include Brandon Bates, Justin Parker, and Kenneth Lamb from Poplar Bluff, David Nance from Grandin, and Andrew Faulkner from Piedmont.
Just Enough will begin playing at 5:50 p.m. and the event will start at 6:30.
We invite everyone to come out and help us celebrate these Difference Makers. We will also be taking certain precautions at the event, including having fewer people per table, and fewer tables, to allow for social distancing. We will also provide masks and handsanitizer for those who want them.
This year’s event is open to the public and the cost is $10. That includes a meal and all the activities. Everyone will need a ticket to attend, and it must be purchased in advance. You may purchase a ticket at the DAR’s office at 208 Poplar St. in downtown Poplar Bluff or call in your order to 573-785-1414 and use a credit card.
Sponsors for this event are: Saint Francis Healthcare System, Kissinger & Kirkman, First Midwest Bank, Key Drugs, Quality Air, Bank of Missouri, Poplar Bluff School district, Three Rivers College, Productive Staffing, Kurt Knodell-Poplar Bluff Realty, Century 21-Rick Lansford, Envy Boutique, Blue Relics and Revivals, Baker Implement, Lisa Reynolds Insurance, Christian Tire and Auto, Kramer Family Vision, Ozark Federal Credit Union, City of Poplar Bluff and the Claudia Foundation.

Donna Farley is the editor of the Daily American Republic and can be reached at dfarley.dar@gmail.com.