The night began bold, only to gain strength by program’s end. THE ANNUAL banquet also recognizes area citizens who have significantly contributed to their communities. JANE TWEEDY, a part-time Allen Countian, was named the Volunteer of the Year because of her tireless efforts toward her newly adopted cause. MORAN’S Connie McWhirter was given special recognition simply because she is a model citizen, said Kathy Ward, a Thrive board member. ALLEN COUNTY’S Drug Court was given the night’s Education Award for its “innovative approach of providing educational and social services to drug offenders, rather than simply locking them up and throwing away the key,” said Georgia Masterson, Thrive board member. STAFF AND board members of the new Allen County Regional Hospital, and members of its Uniting for Excellence campaign, were given the night’s health and wellness award. SOUTHWIND Rail Trail volunteers were awarded the Recreation Award. ALSO recognized were three “Unsung Heroes,” Debbie Jones, Moran, Cole Herder, Humboldt, and Diana Asher, Iola, for their behind-the-scenes efforts to improve their communities. CARA BOLLING of Bolling’s Meat Market catered the meal. Todd East, singer and pianist, provided pre-ceremony entertainment.
“In 10 years, Allen County will be the place you want to live in Kansas, if you don’t want to be in a big city,” proclaimed David Toland.
Since 2008, Toland has set the bar high as executive director of Thrive Allen County.
The challenge was enthusiastically embraced by the 275 attending Friday night’s sixth annual meeting of Thrive at St. John’s Parish Hall.
The facts bear up Toland’s optimism. Recent developments encouraged by Thrive include:
In three years, the county’s overall health ranking has moved up 8 points;
Smoking rates are down 2 percent;
There’s a 30 percent reduction of oral decay in Allen County children;
Venues for exercise and recreation have been expanded, most notably with the completion of the Iola-to-Humboldt Southwind trail;
More people are investing in the future of Allen County through its new community foundation;
The county is seeing a slight bump in new jobs;
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has expanded its presence in Allen County, adding medical care for the uninsured and indigent; and
The new Allen County Regional Hospital is completed.
Thrive itself has expanded, going from 1.5 positions – Toland and Humboldt’s Sunny Shreeve – to 4.5 positions, plus two part-time volunteers.
“As an organization – and I say this every year – we’ve never been stronger,” Toland said.
Dr. Brian Wolfe, chairman of the board of Thrive, said the night was to “celebrate Thrive Allen County as a partner in encouraging our county to be the best it can be.
“We are hearing from people outside and inside the county that there is a palpable energy happening here. You in this room are responsible for that energy and excitement.”
Wolfe noted that in addition to a focus on health, wellness and education, Thrive has branched out to include economic development and the battle against poverty as its mission.
“We recognize that economic development and issues of poverty go hand in hand. To that end, we are partnering with Allen County, City of Iola and Iola Industries, Inc., on economic development,” Wolfe said.
In regards to poverty, Thrive sponsors the Circles Out of Poverty program under the direction of Georgia Masterson, and the Rural Health Initiative. The latter works with the low-income, including the development of a network among healthcare providers and greater accessibility to health insurance for all citizens.
Joe Works, Humboldt, was given the night’s biggest honor for community excellence, recognizing his many endeavors to better not only Humboldt but Allen County as a whole.
“His actions reflect his appreciation for the importance of sticking together, especially when we live in a county of only 13,000 people,” said Alan Weber, a Thrive board member, in presenting Works the prestigious award.
“Joe and his wife, Janie, have changed Allen County in ways that positively impact all of us here tonight,” Weber said.
Works was instrumental in helping build the Southwind Rail Trail from Humboldt to Iola, a Thrive project.
As an entrepreneur, Works’ B&W Trailer Hitches is now the second largest private employer in Allen County.
As a boss, Works “treats his employees as family, and his dedication to his customers is unquestioned,” Weber said.
Works also serves on Humboldt’s board of education and has been a tireless champion of small town life.
He and wife Janie also began a preschool and daycare, the Growing Place, which “has become an important fixture in the educational landscape of the county as well as being a progressive employer. And their studio, Works of Art, has changed the landscape of downtown Humboldt, planting seeds that have the potential to benefit Humboldt in ways that we can only imagine,” Weber said.
“Jane came into our lives with a smile, a twinkle in her eye, and a burning desire to get things done,” said Tosca Harris, Thrive board member. “She has helped us with event registrations, taking notes, answering phones, and yes, clearing brush for months on the Southwind Trail. Though currently only a part-time resident of Allen County, this person nevertheless is a whirlwind of positivity that will take on any job and get it done. She believes in the spirit of Thrive Allen County, and has consistently demonstrated this through her willingness to help us make good things happen.”
Volunteers are a main staple of Thrive’s success, Harris said. This year, volunteers recorded 5,000 hours of service, up from 3,000 compared to last year at this time.
Raised by the motto, “Help when you can,” McWhirter has devoted her life to learning and contributing, Ward said. A native of Sterling, McWhirter came to Moran in 1984 when her husband, Ken, became principal of Marmaton Valley Elementary.
Over the years McWhirter has served as Moran’s librarian, has run a flower business, and been an active volunteer in Thrive as well as a former board member, the Presbyterian church in both Moran and Iola, and in many school activities.
Born and raised in Sterling, McWhirter earned a bachelor’s degree in art and interior design from Fort Hays State.
“Though not a native of Allen County, you’d never know it because Connie has immersed herself in community life more in her 30 years here than most people do in their entire lives,” Ward said.
District Judge Dan Creitz was singled out for his efforts to establish a system that partners with law enforcement, the county attorney, defense counsel, court services and many other partners to provide an environment that helps drug offenders turn a new leaf on life.
“The efforts to return our hospital to local ownership after 30 years of outside control have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Don Burns, Thrive board member.
While essentially creating a “start-up” business, the hospital staff and board have also persevered through the challenges of the largest construction project in the county in a generation. This effort has been matched by the work of the Uniting for Excellence campaign, whose volunteers have worked tirelessly for more than three years raising money to equip the new hospital. Together these committed visionaries have returned the hospital to its rightful place as a central point of pride for our county.”
“In a 12-month period this group cleared 6.5 miles of thick brush, removed countless trees, built beautiful and sturdy railings on three bridges, and coordinated with Allen County to install 4-inch limestone screenings over the entire corridor,” said Karen Gilpin, Thrive board member.
“Led by Don Burns, Pat Haire, and current trail manager, Dave Fontaine, the group set a state record for the speed of their work, but also set records for the quality and beauty of what they did — all on a shoestring budget. The trail has seen approximately 10,000 unique users in the five months since it opened, and stands as a testament to the value of collaboration and hard work.
Jones was recognized especially for her dedication to Moran Day activities; Herder for his involvement with the Humboldt Housing Action Team and its hotel project; and Asher for her dedication to the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
The three were given $150 to be given to their favorite charity from three of Allen County’s banks, Community National Bank, Emprise Bank and Great Southern Bank.
Dr. Bridget McCandless, president and CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, and Dr. Bill Moore, a vice president of the REACH Healthcare Foundation, also addressed the crowd. Both foundations are financial supporters of Thrive.
A pleasant surprise to the evening’s event was the announcement of a $55,000 core operating grant for Thrive and $100,00 for the Rural Health Initiative by the REACH foundation.
“We had no idea,” of the awards, said Toland.
A CELEBRATION OF CHANGE 2013 – Thrive Allen County Banquet
