For immediate release
For more information, contact
Bonnie Prigge or Tammy Snodgrass at (573) 265-2993
MRPC to honor volunteers, community organizations at Annual Dinner in Rolla Reservations being accepted
ST. JAMES–Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is now accepting reservations for its Oct. 30 Annual Dinner celebration, held in honor of Meramec Region residents who give to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support.
This year, 12 volunteers, including three youth, seven individuals with outstanding contributions to their communities and two community organizations will be honored at the 2015 MRPC Annual Dinner celebration, to be held at the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus, 1346 North Bishop Ave., in Rolla.
Honorees are nominated by MRPC board members and selected by the MRPC External Relations Committee.
The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteerism and community service, will be announced at the Annual Dinner.
Those to be recognized by MRPC for community contributions and volunteer efforts include:
- · Sierra Zeiss of Crawford County, nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders for Outstanding Youth award;
· Harley Bialczyk of Belle, nominated by Belle Mayor Stewart Darrah and MRPC representative Steve Vogt for Outstanding Youth award;
· Seth John of Vienna, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Ray Schwartze for Outstanding Youth award;
· Rosemary Gruver of Crawford County, nominated by County Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders for Outstanding Contributions to a Community;
· Gary Brown of Dent County, nominated by Dent County Commissioner Darrell Skiles for Outstanding Contributions to the Community;
· Jan Sassmann of Bland, nominated by Belle Mayor Stewart Darrah and MRPC representative Steve Vogt for Outstanding Contributions to the Community;
· Jamie Jones of Vienna, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Ray Schwartze for Outstanding Contributions to the Community;
· Laura Antolak of Phelps County, nominated by MRPC board member Don Brackhahn for Outstanding Contributions to the Community;
· James A. Myers, of Phelps County, nominated by John Butz and John Petersen of the city of Rolla for Outstanding Contributions to the Community;
· Robert Vinyard of Caledonia, nominated by Caledonia Village Chair John Robinson, III, and the Board of Trustees for Outstanding Contributions to the Community;
· Planters of Pulaski County Garden Club, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Luge Hardman for Outstanding Contributions to the Community; and
· Potosi Chamber of Commerce, nominated by Potosi Mayor T.R. Dudley for Outstanding Contributions to the Community.
The public is invited to attend the event. The city of Rolla and Phelps County are hosting the event.
The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and will include a silent auction and exhibits. The Annual Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a program and awards presentation to follow.
Businesses or individuals interested in assisting in sponsorship of the reception can donate a basket, product or service for the silent auction. Those interested in making donations may contact MRPC Assistant Director Tammy Snodgrass. Sponsors will be recognized at the reception and during the program.
Cost to attend the event is $35, which includes dinner catered by Chartwells Catering. Contact MRPC at 573-265-2993 for reservations.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 24, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.