Difference Makers Banquet 2021

Ralph and Linda Nelson register for Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Banquet visitors peruse the items available on the silent auction tables. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Anita Hill and Kim Clark, Difference Makers nominees in 2019, look at look at some of the items available on the silent auction tables. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Greg Gilberto (right) laughs with David and Davine Conover early during Thursday's event. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Members of the band Just Enough perform during Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalist Michelle Hessling spends time with her family at Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference makers finalist Jim Ward shares a laugh with his daughter, Julia. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalist Brenda Allen enjoys the company at her table. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Members of the SEMO Honor Guard look at photographs on a cellphone early during Thursday's event. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalist RT McCain talks with his dad, Ron McCain, during the banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Daily American Republic Publisher Chris Pruett talks about the 10 finalists for the Difference Maker of the Year award. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Fellowship General Baptist Church's Byron Beck leads the invocation. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers banquet visitors make their way through the dinner lines. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Members of the McCain family fill their plates during Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Tom Burns listens to a colleague during Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalist Jason Matlock laughs with others at his table during Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalist Jimi Waggoner and his wife, LaDonna, Waggoner, talk prior to the dinner portion of the banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Buddy Ball board member and Difference Maker finalist Alex Tinker talks with Luann Elledge, wife of 2020 Difference Maker of the Year, Dave Elledge. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Daily American Republic Publisher Chris Pruett speaks about the important roles Difference Makers have during Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Kati Ray gives Thursday's keynote address, focusing on volunteerism and what Poplar Bluff would be like without those who serve others. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Maker of the Year Michelle Hessling shows her Missouri House resolution and certificate. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalists RT McCain (left) and Jason Matlock show the Missouri House resolutions and certificates they were awarded Thursday. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Members of the SEMO Honor Guard pause for a photograph with the Missouri House resolution they earned. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Makers finalist Jimi Waggoner and his wife, LaDonna Waggoner, show their Missouri House resolution and certificate. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Daily American Republic Publisher Chris Pruett presents FosterAdopt Connect's Mary Haldeman with a portion of the proceeds from Thursday's banquet as Stacie McElhaney and Christy Pierce look on. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Difference Maker of the Year winner Michelle Hessling talks about her volunteer work. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Staff from FosterAdopt Connect hoist a check from the Daily American Republic, representing a portion of the proceeds from Thursday's banquet. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Steve and Kati Ray wrap up the evening with a dance while listening to the band Just Enough play. (DAR/Paul Davis)