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The Daily American Republic is pleased to welcome 10 more area residents to our growing group of Difference Makers.
Each year, we honor 10 individuals nominated by community members for the good works they do to improve our area.
The 10 people are selected from dozens of nominations turned in to us over the summer.
They will be honored at our sixth annual Difference Makers banquet, to be held Aug. 29 at the Black River Coliseum. We will also name a Difference Maker of the Year that night and present a check with a donation to this year’s charity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
This event has recognized more than 50 Difference Makers since its inception, and raised more than $50,000 for area charities.
This year’s 10 Difference Makers are, in alphabetical order: Dr. John Blaich, Corretta Bishop, Amber Brown, Mike Fleetwood, Gina Ginocchio, Travis and Amanda Gowen, Laura McElroy, Michael “Mikey” McKuin, Rev. Sandra Mick-Shockey, and Chris Waite.
Blaich has performed more than 1,000 laser procedures to help nursing infants, at no cost to the parents, Brittany Kovach shared in a nomination letter.
“(It) has impacted so many families over the Heartland and beyond,” Kovach said. “If that’s not a Difference Maker, I don’t know what is.”
Bishop is a member of many volunteer organizations, having supported Altrusa, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Women Aware, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Animal Welfare Alliance, to name just a few, her husband Joshua Bishop said.
“Her gifts of knowledge, experience, and networking improve multiple community organizations,” he wrote. “She is a gift to our community and I don’t mind sharing her with us for as long as I can.”
Brown’s efforts serve the region and the congregation of Mt. Calvary Power House Church of God, according to nominations received from Michelle Joslin, Jennifer Hill, Brooke Jones and Feather Beauford.
This includes working with youth, helping those are ill at home and much more, they said.
“Amber’s love for this community is evident in everything she does,” Jones explained. “She doesn’t shy away from challenges; instead, she embraces them with open arms, ready to help.”
Fleetwood advocates for disabled citizens of Ripley County, according to nominations from Jessica Smith, Alysha Lehenbauer and Jessica Wilkerson.
“He has opened a whole new world for many of these citizens both young and old,” Smith shared. “Although he has met many challenges and frustrations, he has been diligent in his goal to offer them social, community access and learning skills for everyday living.”
Ginocchio supports many area organizations, including Christway Ministries, Foster Adopt Connect, Homeless Veterans Care at John J. Pershing VA, Kiwanis Club, NAACP, Poplar Bluff Housing Authority and Recycling Grace. Jaci Wuebbeling provided the full list with the nomination.
“Gina is sacrificially giving of her time, energy and finances to numerous charitable groups throughout the area,” Wuebbeling said. “She through the endless opportunities the Lord provides is giving back in numerous ways by volunteering to serve side by side, tirelessly to help those in need.”
The Gowens founded and facilitate PB Christian Soccer Camp every year, Joey and Michelle Hessling shared in their nomination forms. The program just completed its 11th year and is much more than a soccer camp, they said.
“Travis and Amanda pour not only their time and love of soccer (not to mention their skills) into this camp, but they pour positivity, love, support and encouragement to each camper, parent and volunteer there,” Michelle Hessling said. “There is more fun, laughs, hard work, all in the name of Jesus during this PB Christian Soccer Camp than I have room to type.”
McElroy is the director of the nursing program at Three Rivers College and has helped re-design grant-supported efforts to serve more students and help more people, said Maria E. Rodriguez-Alcala in a nomination. Rodriguez-Alcala is the director of Health & Wellness at Heartland Forward, an economic think and do tank covering 20 states.
“Currently we have a pilot program focused on nursing career pathways in Southeast Missouri,” Rodriguez-Alcala said. “This program is intended to be used as a model for other rural communities that are struggling to get nurses for their area, as well as it helps increase income in the region... Her role will not only be significant to Southeast Missouri, but also to other rural communities where this career pathway could be used as a model by Heartland Forward.”
McKuin has helped organize Christmas toy drives for children, warming centers and much more, according to nominations from April Berry, Jessica Wilkerson and Tara Robertson.
“In 2021, when the ‘Arctic Freeze’ occurred, he used one of his own buildings to open up a no-questions-asked shelter to ensure those who had nowhere to go would stay safe through the frigid temperatures, even providing transportation to the shelter, and did his best to help those who stayed find a permanent solution once the freeze was over. He has done so much that the community is unaware of to make it a better place,” Berry said.
Mick-Shockey spearheaded the inception of Recycling Grace Women’s Center, a faith-based entity dedicated to breaking the cycle of addiction and creating opportunities for women, often mothers, to become productive members of society, according to Dr. Candee Elisabeth Baker.
“The positive effects of Rev. Mick-Shockey’s efforts are both far-reaching and profound,” Baker said in the nomination. “These are evidenced through the testimonies and accomplishments of multitudes of women and mothers who are successful completers of Recycling Grace Women’s Center.
“The difference that Rev. Mick-Shockey has made in our community cannot be understated because she has created positive generational change through transformation of women’s lives.”
Waite has spent her entire adult life helping better the community, Anita Maize said in a nomination. This includes working with programs like UCAN, Women Aware, the Butler County Fair and other groups.
“All in all, Chris has one of the most caring spirits. She has never shied away from a challenge for a worthy cause,” Maize said. “Whether it is stepping up to the responsibility of a leadership role or working on the numerous details that make an event or fundraiser successful. She can always be counted on to help in any way possible.”
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