Frazier-Moore to speak at Difference Makers

Christy Frazier-Moore, a past nominee, will be the 2022 keynote speaker for the Daily American Republic’s annual Difference Makers event. The event will be held Aug. 18, at the Black River Coliseum (DAR file photo)

Growing up in a small town gave Christy Frazier-Moore the opportunity to learn from those who helped others in their time of need.

“Growing up in such a small town of Eminence (Missouri), I learned to value those small-town values. When I moved to Poplar Bluff, while it was bigger, it still had those values,” Frazier-Moore recalls.

“For me, I have watched and learned from so many mentors over the years that constantly inspire me. Ed DeGaris (former police officer and mayor) is definitely at the top of my list. He had the biggest heart for making our community a better place for generations to come.

“Another one is Janet McNece (co-owner of Productive Staffing). I have never met anyone with such a selfless heart that genuinely is a cheerleader for this community and mankind in general. Both are just two examples of many that lead (or have led) by doing.”

Frazier-Moore has done her share of helping others as well. She volunteers countless hours in the Poplar Bluff area to help make this community a better place.

She was nominated as a Difference Maker finalist in 2019. This year, on Aug. 18, in the Black River Coliseum, Frazier-Moore will serve as the keynote speaker for the Daily American Republic’s fourth annual Difference Makers banquet.

Frazier-Moore will share her thoughts on what volunteerism means to our community and how we’d be lost in some areas without those helpful people.

“In 2019, I was nominated as a Difference Maker. What a humbling experience. As most nominees, philanthropic efforts are simply born out of a passion for helping others and no glory, praise nor is anything wanted or expected,” Frazier-Moore explained.

“This event showcases those folks in a way that not only thanks them for their efforts, but also highlights their organization and brings awareness and potentially more funds to help ‘do good’ in our community. I am honored to be the 2022 speaker for Difference Makers and cannot wait to see who will be showcased this year.”

To nominate someone as a Difference Maker, go to darnews.com and fill out the form at the top of the home page.

This year’s event will begin at 5:50 p.m. with the Just Enough Band performing. The banquet will start at 6:30 p.m.

The DAR is asking its readers to nominate community members who help others by volunteering their time. The nominees will be narrowed to 10 by a panel of judges, and those 10 will be honored Aug. 18 at the banquet.

A Difference Maker of the Year will be selected from the 10 finalists. All 10 finalists and DM of the Year will receive a prize package.

Frazier-Moore, a graduate of Three Rivers College and Southeast Missouri State University, is the vice president/mortgage sales manager at the Bank of Missouri.

“I supervise our frontline team of mortgage loan officers and mortgage loan assistants, and currently my team is 27 strong,” Frazier-Moore said. “My primary focus is helping our team with their business development efforts, which include assisting with presentations or presenting when needed, managing our 18 MLOs Professional Facebook pages along with managing day-to-day operations, assisting with loan applications to support our team, developing policies and procedures.”

Frazier-Moore has volunteered in many areas, including with the Rodgers Theatre, Women Aware, March of Dimes, UCAN, Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Poplar Bluff and Bright Futures.

Currently, Frazier-Moore is on the board of the Three Rivers College Endowment, and volunteers with her own organization, Chi & Co.

“I have partnered with the Poplar Bluff Junior High and go in and speak to the girls about kindness, self-esteem and basically trying to slow down the ‘mean girl’ club,” Frazier-Moore said. “I basically had to stop stretching myself and focus on where I felt I could make the most impact and focus on what I felt the most passionate about.”

But she stressed she loves all things philanthropic.

“I truly love empowering others, especially women. I had several women ‘pour’ into me and I think how impactful they were in molding who I am today. That is what I want to do and be for others,” she said.

Frazier-Moore added she believes people in general just want to know someone cares for them.

“This can be in any capacity of volunteer work. Kindness and compassion really is what it is all about. Even when looking at volunteering at the Rodgers Theatre. While this is not exactly ‘people’ related, it has nostalgia and typically that nostalgia brings along happy memories,” she explained.

“For instance, I remember watching movies there when I was a young child. So for me, it simply brings a smile to my face and I want the structure to be there for my kids and grandkids to enjoy in some capacity. The atmosphere there is one of a kind.”

Frazier-Moore and her husband, Clayton, have two children. Jackson is 18 and attends Three Rivers College, and Kenzie Rae, 10, will be at Poplar Bluff Middle School in the fall. The family has three dogs, Alley, Blanche Devereax and Dixie, “along with a turtle named Pickle.”

Chris is publisher of the DAR and can be reached by email at cpruett.dar@gmail.com .