DM21 honors volunteers

An estimated 400 people turned out at the Black River Coliseum Thursday evening for the Daily American Republic’s 2021 Difference Maker of the Year banquet.

DAR/Paul Davis

Like everyone last year, Dave Elledge watched the Difference Makers online from home. Until his internet went down. By the time he was able to resume watching, Elledge was about 10 minutes behind the live feed.

One of 10 finalists for Difference Maker of the Year 2020, Elledge started getting texts of congratulations from people watching.

“I was trying to be really cool and not say anything, act surprised when it came up,” Elledge recalled Thursday at the Black River Coliseum.

Elledge, the 2020 Difference Maker of the Year, and his fellow finalists were honored Thursday night along with 10 finalists for the 2021 awards. It was the third annual event held by the Daily American Republic to honor volunteers from the community.

While the pandemic kept people apart last year, it also became a call to action for the 2021 Difference Maker of the Year. Michelle Hessling was recognized for her work on behalf of the homeless (see main story).

“It’s nice when those things get recognized,” said Elledge, who was again a finalist as a member of the Buddy Ball board with Alex Tinker, Laurie Coleman and Lisa Collins.

“A lot of times those don’t come to the surface, but it’s good to have good news.”

Difference Maker finalists were nominated by members of the community for “personifying the qualities for charity, goodwill and generosity,” said DAR Publisher Chris Pruett.

Approximately 400 people were able to get together Thursday with safety protocols in place to mitigate the risk. Masks were offered and hand sanitizer was available while tables were spread out.

“I thought it was an excellent program and a wonderful way to recognize all these amazing people who help make our community better — who are willing to give their time, their talent and to make a difference,” said Norma McLane-Smith.

“There are so many people, it’s hard to choose,” she added. “But we appreciate the paper doing this and we appreciate our citizens.”

The event was nearly double in size from the inaugural banquet held in 2019. Pruett said it was important to bring the 2020 finalists back after the event was forced to be held online due to the pandemic.

“The people we are honoring tonight are the type of people that don’t seek the recognition. They would rather be behind the scenes rather than front and center,” Pruett said during his welcome. “The DAR believes it’s very important to recognize these people.”

Finalists were all recognized with a resolution presented by state Rep. Hardy Billington.

“It’s my great honor to present this proclamation to the people that make a difference in the community,” Billington said in a video presentation.

Each finalist was also given a gift basket, valued at $300 each, with several businesses in the community contributing.

“Without them, this evening wouldn’t be possible,” Pruett said of the 20-plus co-sponsors that helped.

A portion of the proceeds from the event, which included a silent auction of items and a 50/50 drawing, were presented to an area charity (see page 3 story).

Byron Beck, pastor with Fellowship General Baptist Church who offered the prayer before dinner, shared a story about a young girl trying to save starfish that had washed onto a beach. There were thousands, too many for one person to save, noted an older man.

“She thought for a second, reached down on the beach and threw (a starfish) into the ocean, saying, ‘Yeah, but I made a difference for that one,’” Beck said.

The moral of the story, he added, went with the theme of the event.

“We celebrate people tonight that are making a difference in our community,” Beck said.

Entertainment was provided by the band Just Enough, while the dinner was catered by Chartwells, with Haffy’s serving refreshments.

Ron McCain, whose son R.T. was a finalist, said it was a wonderful evening to honor those that volunteer.

“If we help people, we can’t go wrong,” said McCain. “The Bible says it’s more blessed to give than receive and I believe that firmly.”

Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, said some great finalists were being honored.

“I think everyone lives busy lives and to take the time to appreciate several people who have made a difference in our community, I think it says a lot,” Halter said. “I’m glad the DAR has picked it up and created the event.”