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Area residents with developmental disabilities, community members and state leaders were honored May 24 when Vocational Services, Inc. (VSI) held its seventh annual Community Awards Night and Silent Auction at Finnigan’s in North Kansas City.
The evening drew a record attendance of more than 300 people.
Each year, VSI hosts the event as a way to pay tribute to outstanding individuals and organizations who have made a tremendous impact in the lives of people with disabilities and who have supported VSI throughout its 40 years of providing excellent services to individuals with disabilities.
Winners of this year’s awards include:
• Vendor of the Year, Billings Construction, Liberty, with Jeff Billings accepting.
• Customer of the Year, TNEMEC Company, North Kansas City, with Ron Schinmel accepting.
• Benefactor’s Award, the City of North Kansas City.
• Legislator of the Year Award, Missouri Rep. Trent Skaggs (D-31).
• Parent/Guardian of the Year Marge Gram, the mother of seven children noted for her great activism for people with disabilities
• Director’s Award presented to Dale Garrison, Liberty.
• Clay County Employer of the Year, Liberty Price Chopper, accepted by Lou DeMarco, store manager.
• Platte County Employer of the Year McDonald’s of Platte City, accepted by Kathrine Walden.
• Volunteer of the Year Jerry Davis, honored for his donation of time not just to Vocational Services, but several charities and non-profit organizations in the metropolitan area. Owner of Stars-N-Bars Music, Davis for the past two years has volunteered his time to entertain at VSI holiday parties.
• VSI Board Member of the Year was awarded to Richard Hubbard whose expertise, especially in financial areas, has been a tremendous asset to VSI.
• VSI Employee of the Year Mary Jo Cantwell, Community Integration Specialist in VSI’s Work and Personal Services.
• VSI Consumer of the Year Award was John Hardman, who is well known both at VSI and throughout the community of Liberty. Widely recognized for his walking throughout the community, John started working for VSI in 1972 and continues to be an honest, hard working individual.
In addition, Nina Wells and Pam Turner were honored upon their retirement from VSI. Nina began in 1979 and Pam in 1971. VSI also recognized four employees for 40 years of services: Jack Smith, Bruce Gustin, Marion Warren and Pam Lizar.
A number of special guests were also recognized among those in attendance: State representatives Tim Flook and Jerry Nolte; Shawna Pauley from Senator Sam Graves’ office; Boyd and Louise Ahrens, volunteers from the Southern Clay County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; Mrs. Mary Stafford; Bob and Cindy Sevier; Janice Tilman of the Platte County Board of Services; Clay County Public Administrator Debbie Gwin; Platte County Public Administrator Terry Edwards; and Ron and Betty Boney of The Arc of Clay and Platte Counties. VSI Board members in attendance included Bill Welliver, Dr. Garry Rokey, Marvin Nuernberger and Paula Torkelson.
VSI provides employment and other services to people of Clay and Platte counties with developmental disabilities. For further information, call (816) 781-6292 or visit www.vsiserve.org on the Internet.