Poplar Bluff honors Difference Makers

Poplar Bluff Mayor Robert L. Smith issued an official proclamation Thursday to the 10 finalists in the first annual Daily American Republic Difference Makers campaign. These individuals were nominated by co-workers, friends and associates as people who embody the qualities of charity, goodwill and generosity in their everyday lives. A banquet honoring the finalists and their guests was held at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.

The official proclamation recognized Kim Clark and Anita Hill, Wally Duncan, Miranda Fickert, Eddie Flanigan, Christy Frazier-Moore, Charley Harper, Kathern Harris, Shelley Ploetze, Becky Stockwell and Becky Winters.

“These individuals have made significant contributions to improve the lives of area residents, families and children,” it read.

The efforts ensured children in need have Christmas presents, fundraising for cancer research, role models for young girls, preservation of the Historic Rodgers Theatre, access to books for children, support services for women in difficult situations, opportunities for children to enjoy the outdoors and animals, resources for various local charities and safe and nurturing after-school care for children.

“These volunteers are vital to our future as a caring and productive community,” the document proclaims. “The giving of oneself in service to another empowers the giver and the recipient, and these volunteers are at the center of the heart of Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area.”

ANITA HILL AND KIM CLARK

Difference Maker finalists Anita Hill and Kim Clark, of Poplar Bluff, are often referred to as a “dynamic duo” by their nominator, Melody Ducote. The women “always find ways to help people,” notes Ducote.

The couple began volunteering together years earlier by joining a Relay for Life team to support the American Cancer Society. Their altruistic works have expanded to include fundraising efforts for all types of cancers, volunteering with the Buddy Ball baseball league and much more.

“Everything you do matters, no matter how small,” says Kim.

WALLY DUNCAN

“Poplar Bluff is my adopted hometown,” says Difference Maker finalist Wally Duncan, “I have been blessed to live here and want to give back to the community that has given me so much.”

Duncan was nominated by Terena Whitworth, who says of the Rodgers Theatre Inc. president, “Wally has so much passion and enthusiasm for his work with the theater restoration ... it’s just contagious.”

Duncan says he derives inspiration from the younger generation of volunteers who are enthusiastically taking up the cause of restoring the historical theater.

MIRANDA FICKERT

Christy Frazier-Moore met Miranda Fickert when the two worked together for Woman Aware Inc. Frazier-Moore chose to nominate Fickert for Difference Makers because she says the Poplar Bluff Heroes member takes her passions and “puts them to work.”

Fickert is part of a decades-old committee of mostly women, who make up the Poplar Bluff Heroes. The group raises funds for patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, through an annual two-day event which includes a dinner banquet and auction followed by a day of friendly competition for area bowhunters.

EDDIE FLANIGAN

A heart attack several years ago prompted Difference Makers finalist Eddie Flanigan to want to do even more for the children in the Twin Rivers R-X School District. Months of recovery and rehabilitation followed, during which cards and letters poured in from Twin Rivers students. These greetings impacted Flanigan’s outlook and his want to give back.

Giving back for Flanigan involved heading Butler County’s largest 4-H group, helping with Twin Rivers band fundraisers, taking students on field trips and even paying needy families’ utility bills.

Stephanie Milner, with the University of Missouri Extension, nominated Flanigan. “If anyone ever asks for anything, he always tries to make sure it’s taken care of,” says Milner.

CHRISTY FRAZIER-MOORE

An incident at her 4-year-old daughter’s school prompted Christy Frazier-Moore to create a program focusing on the self-esteem of young girls. She was nominated as a Difference Maker by Janet McNece, who said Frazier-Moore has impacted the lives of hundreds of girls through her Chi & Company outreach.

Frazier-Moore visits with girls in junior high monthly to talk about issues they’re dealing with while encouraging self confidence and kindness in the female student body.

“Every time I walk away (from a meeting), my bucket’s filled,” adds Frazier-Moore.

CHARLEY HARPER

Janice Duckett describes Difference Makers finalist Charley Harper as a “doer” who lives his faith in all that he does for his community.

Growing up the son of missionaries in South America formed Harper’s drive to look for ways he can impact the needs of the world and people.

Harper is a charter member of the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle, an organization which supports all non-profit charities in Poplar Bluff funded by grants collected from Giving Circle members. He is also on the board and volunteers with the Caring Hands Medical Clinic, which provides free care for uninsured and under insured people in Poplar Bluff.

“Serving is a blessing to me,” says Harper.

KATHERN HARRIS

Kathern Harris of Poplar Bluff was nominated as a Difference Maker because of her relentless devotion to children in the Poplar Bluff area.

Rebeca Pacheco, executive director of Butler County Community Resource Council chose to nominate Harris because “I have watched troubled, uninspired children discover their inner strength and self-esteem because Kathern Harris believed in them and encouraged them.”

Harris’ volunteer work is legendary in the Poplar Bluff community. She initiated and oversees the Succeeding in School Program is involved in the Designing Women Foundation, and serves on the board of directors of the CRC.

SHELLEY PLOETZE

During the last 26 years, the majority of Shelley Ploetze’s volunteer hours have been logged at Sacred Heart Catholic School and church in Poplar Bluff. She heads the school library full-time as an unpaid volunteer.

“Bottom line, I do it for the kids,” Ploetze says.

Being service oriented comes naturally to Ploetze, remarks nominator Janice Duncan, “That’s just kinda who Shelley is. She’s always the first to step up...”

BECKY STOCKWELL

Becky Stockwell’s interest in volunteering was piqued after reading a story in the DAR about the need for volunteers at Haven House, a local domestic violence shelter for women. Stockwell says she “always felt called to help people.”

Mary Ann Allen, executive director of the shelter, nominated Stockwell based on her possessing the qualities of wit, compassion and dependability.

“She (Stockwell) hasn’t met a challenge she won’t accept,” says Allen.

“Every little act of kindness sends a ripple out into the world that expands,” Stockwell says.

BECKY WINTERS

Difference Makers finalist Becky Winters loves nothing more than to add more names to her ever-growing Christmas list.

A few seasons ago, Winters recognized the needs of local families, especially during the holidays, is great. She found a way to help these families through the creation of Project Christmas Promise.

Winters’ also is the bell-ringing coordinator for the local chapter of the Salvation Army and enjoys spreading Christmas cheer. Her hope is “that others are inspired to pass on love, encouragement and hope for those who need it.”

Co-worker, Tim Krakowiak nominated Winters saying she is referred to as “Mrs. Claus” at work because “Becky doesn’t celebrate Christmas with her own family until every child on her list receives his/her gifts.”