Difference Makers finalists announced **Free Access**

It was a very difficult decision for our judges this year, but we’re ready to announce the 2023 Difference Makers finalists.

These finalists will be honored Aug. 17 during a banquet at the Black River Coliseum, where we will name our Difference Maker of the Year.

Selected from more than 60 nominations are finalists are, in alphabetical order: Stacy Barker; Tasha Buckhanan; Bridgett Epps; Greg Gilberto; Donna Gray; Cassie King; Jennie Randolph; Marc Roderick; LaDonna Waggoner; and Patricia Wright.

Every year, this even offers the chance to highlight just a few of the amazing people and organizations that help make our region better every day. I’m going to share just a little bit about each of these Difference Makers, and we’ll have the full story in a special magazine that will be available in the Aug. 12 edition of the Daily American Republic and on our website. We’ll also be highlighting these Difference Makers in our new podcast, The Scoop, which can be found on our website, www.darnews.com.

Barker is an elementary teacher at Oak Grove and also heads the Poplar Bluff OSL League, organizing soccer games for youth in the community. It is a program that reaches hundreds of children, her nominator shared.

Buckhanan is a co-founder of Every Kid Counts with her husband, Colton. This program collects clothing and Christmas presents for children in need, as well as food.

Epps goes above and beyond for the students at the high school, her church and in the community. She has a big heart for helping others, working with students to help them get caught up on work or providing a listening ear whenever needed. “She has a way in helping others and gaining trust from students and people who feel like there is no one else,” according to her nomination.

Gilberto is the pastor of Northpoint Nazarene Church and is involved in many local charities, including UCAN, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Bread Shed. He shares the joy he has for life and Jesus with everyone he meets, we were told.

Gray, a former educator, introduced Reading Rocks to the community. This program is free for children and promotes education, reading, art and exploration, according to her nomination. Gray hides decorated rocks with story books and a plush toy in weather-protected areas at parks and businesses for children to find during their explorations.

King runs ChristWay Ministries, which provides recovery services for women. It helps change the lives of the women and reconnect families while saving souls, the nominator shared.

Randolph is a teacher at Poplar Bluff High School who is involved in many community activities and projects, including on boards for Poplar Bluff Municipal Library. She was nominated for her “spirit of generosity, kindness and willingness to serve,” whether it be in support of Special Olympics, summer church camp, or as a mentor to youth.

Roderick is a retired Army sergeant major who now works with youth through the Army JROTC program at Poplar Bluff schools. “They are his troops, and he is as dedicated to them as if they are his own children,” we were told.

Waggoner opened Crossroads Ministries with her husband, Jimi. This program helps men struggling with addiction find “a way out of the darkness,” her nominator shared.

Wright “sprinkles” positivity around town in her work as a caregiver, making a difference “one smile at a time,” her nominator shared. She never hesitates to help others, whether it’s helping with household chores or other daily, essential needs.

Donna Farley is the editor of the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at dfarley@darnews.com.