Humanitarian of the Year

Karen Martin was named Humanitarian of the Year at the Business and Professional Women's Honors and Awards Dinner held Oct. 25 at Forte's in Tansi.

"I owe my success to my community," Martin said.

Martin began the Cumberland County School Supply Depot five years ago.

"She has seen a need for children in our community and has done something about it," Charlene Richardson said. Richardson nominated Martin for the award.

Betty Witt, first vice president of the BPW, introduced Martin to the crowd as saying she is a woman who "goes out of her way to get things done."

This year, the CCSS Depot served over 1,000 children in August. In previous years, more than 900 children were given supplies over the entire school year.

"Karen started this needed program four years ago," retired state senator Anna Belle O'Brien said in a letter of nomination for Martin. "Many obstacles did not stop her!"

Richardson said, "Everyone she knows, she helps."

Bobbie Parker with the Cumberland County School System said Martin is creative, innovative and active.

"It has been a true working partner with the Cumberland County School System for the past five years. She has provided school supplies to the children in our community that otherwise would struggle to obtain those needed supplies. The Cumberland County School Supply Depot is a true success story," Parker said in a letter of nomination.

Martin is also involved in a number of community services. She is a volunteer for FAST, Neighbors Together, a volunteer at the Parent Resource Center, and a board member of Rural Cumberland Resources, among other things.

"Karen Martin is the type of volunteer to which we can point with great pride," O'Brien concluded in her letter.



Employer of the year

Crossville mayor J.H. Graham III was named Employer of the Year at the Business and Professional Women's Honors and Awards Dinner held Oct. 25.

"I want to thank those I've worked with," Graham said upon being named. "To be an employer is something I've done privately and publicly."

Sally Oglesby, city clerk, nominated Graham for the award.

"I have known J.H. Graham III for close to 30 years through church and community activities; however, I have not had the opportunity to work with him until he was elected to the city council in 1996," Oglesby said. "Mayor Graham is respectful of the employees of the city and expresses his appreciation on numerous occasions for the work they perform on behalf of the citizens of Crossville."

Graham serves on the Crossville Regional Planning Commission, TDOT Rural Planning Organization, Citizens Resource Teams for Hwy. 127 N. and Hwy. 127 S. improvements, and the boards of the Upper Cumberland Development District and the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency. He has also served as Alternate District Director for the Tennessee Municipal League, and has previously served as a director of Union Planters Bank and is aboard member of the Cumberland County unit of the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Cumberland County, and Fair Park Senior Center. He is a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and has served in many capacities, including as lay speaker.

"Mayor Graham personifies the prototype for both constituent service and employee relations," Jack Miller, city manager, said. "His altruism is development programs and systems that benefit the staffing patterns of city government are legendary. The mayor's sincere appreciation for the interests and motives of others is inspirational."

Oglesby closed out her letter of nomination by saying, "When he signs his letters 'respectfully,' he means it!"



Woman of the Year

Frances Carson, president of Downtown Crossville, Inc. was named Woman of the Year at the Business and Professional Women's Honors and Awards Dinner held Oct. 25.

"I've been blessed with family and friends, and we've been through many fights, with more to come I'm sure. I'm truly honored," Carson said.

"Frances has been a great inspiration," Corey Legarre with Downtown Crossville, Inc. said. "You don't see her out front doing things. She's always behind the scenes."

Brenda Hinch said she's known Carson almost her entire life. "She's been a true friend. I hold her up as a role model. Never one to shy away from a fight, Frances is willing to fight for what is right in her mind and heart."

Carson has been involved with many organizations in and around Cumberland County. She served as a regional representative and trainer with the Tennessee School Age Care Alliance, president of the Crossville Arts Council, past president of the Greater Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, a past Board of Education member, Crossville Noon Rotary, past president and organizer of Kids, Inc., and the Stephens Center, and many other organizations.

"I have watched with awe as Frances has garnered support and funding for the Downtown Crossville effort," said Mike Nuss, general manager of MasterBrand. "It is her love of the community and its people that is apparent with minutes of meeting Frances."

Hinch said, "Cumberland County has been fortunate to have her as a resident. The First United Methodist Church has been fortunate to have her as a member. My family has been fortunate to have her as a friend."



Young Humanitarian of the Year

The new award of Young Humanitarian of the Year goes to Kyleigh Shepherd. She is an eighth grader at Stone Elementary and has collected can tabs for the Shriner's Burn Hospital in Cincinnati since she was 11 years old.

"The money from the Tab Program goes to the Shriners Burns Hospital in Cincinnati to purchase non-budgeted items for the children at the hospital," Christopher Lambros said in a nomination letter. "Kyleigh's efforts not only made Crossville more aware of the Tab Program, but also some Shriners."

Cheryl Hawn, one of Shepherd's teachers, said, "Kyleigh is a brilliant student. She not only gives 100 percent in class but in all areas of her life. She shows great respect for both teachers and her peers."

Shepherd has also participated in Relay for Life for the past two years, along with volunteering with Christmas on the Mountain. She has also received recognition plaques and certificates for her tab collection for the past three years.

Lambros closed his letter of nomination with the definition of a humanitarian. "A humanitarian is one who seeks to promote the welfare of mankind by eliminating pain and suffering. This could very easily be a definition of Kyleigh. It takes most people a lifetime before they show the compassion, empathy and love that Kyleigh now shows at her young life."

She is the daughter of Barbara and Kelly Shepherd, owners of Big Boy's Barbeque.