CARING COUNCIL RPESENTS AWARDS

The Community Caring Council elected new officers and gave awards for outstanding community service during its annual Awards and Banquet luncheon Friday.

About 60 members of the council attended the luncheon, which was held at the Holiday Inn. Lori Hayden, secretary-treasurer of the council, said it was a day for thanking people for their contributions to the community.

"Each of the awards was service-based," said Hayden. "This organization is open to any individuals who want to empower families and groups. I wish there were always people like this to work with in the community."

Hayden won the Kasten Award, the major honor given during the event. The award is named for state Rep. Mary Kasten, who helped found the council. It goes to an individual who shows outstanding service and dedication to the principles of the Community Caring Council.

Three Presidential awards were also given during the luncheon. Homer Yount, Frances Gould and Mary Gosche all received the award for their overall contributions to the community. The recipients were chosen by Community Caring Council outgoing-president Barb Stribling.

A Statue of Liberty award and Horizon award were also given to individuals for their community service. Terry Starkey and Elena Martinez of the East Missouri Action Agency received the Statue of Liberty award for their participation on community task forces and contributions to activities and programs in the area. Beth Schmucker, formerly of the Missouri Mentoring Partnership, received the Horizon award for outstanding dedication and advocacy.

"All of them were very deserving, " said Stribling. "We've got a good group here. At every meeting we can see our membership growing, and a lot of people are concerned about our community."

Stribling stepped down as president of the council and turned her gavel over to president-elect Paul Schniedermeyer. She will continue to work with the council as a member of the board of directors along with newly-elected board members Jo Boyer, Jim Davis, Nancy Jernigan and Jim Maginel.

New officers for 1997 are: Schniedermeyer, president; Frances Gould, vice-president/president-elect; and Hayden, secretary-treasurer. Caring Council representatives to the Regional Inter-Agency Network for 1997 are James L. Davis and Shirley Ramsey.