Thank you to all the Difference Makers in our area

It’s August and here in Southeast Missouri that means the start of good things we’ve all looked forward to, like first days of school and area high school football teams hitting the fields again.

Here at the Daily American Republic, this time of year is important to us because we hold our annual Difference Makers campaign. While this is only our second year, it has certainly become something positive that we look forward to, and look forward to sharing with our communities.

The Difference Makers campaign spotlights those in our area who give of their time and talent without seeking recognition or repayment.

People like this are the foundation of any strong community because they solve problems when there is nothing in it for them, and help those in need who might otherwise go hungry, homeless or otherwise fall through the cracks.

Today, we announce our 10 Difference Makers for 2020, nominated by those who have witnessed their good works first hand.

On Thursday, we will announce our Difference Maker of the Year. This will be done through a video released on our DAR Facebook page at 6 p.m. Thursday. Due to increasing cases of COVID-19, we unfortunately did not feel we could safely hold this year’s banquet, but plan to return with it in 2021.

In a special magazine in today’s edition, you can read about the finalists and the organizations they support. The finalists are: Dave Elledge, Buddy Ball; Jenny Fears, Deliver Hope; Patricia Jakylovich, Lake Road Elementary; Rosa Johnson, Butler County NAACP; Serra McCabe, Ripley County Outreach Ministry; Janet McNece, Women Aware; Kati Ray, Poplar Bluff History Museum; Laura Sappington, United Gospel Rescue Mission; Sabrina Weaver, PBJH Mules Soccer teams; and Bishop Ron Webb, Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church.

From these Difference Makers we heard things like, “God is the drive behind it. I give him the glory — he’s everything in my life,” “My family grew up poor, but blessed… we didn’t go hungry, and I don’t want anyone else to either,” and “If you’ve got this idea in your head (to help), don’t dilly dally. Just do it.”

To all of the Difference Makers in our region, both those we learned about this year and those we hope to meet next year, thank you. Thank you for taking the hard tasks, the overlooked tasks, the challenges others are unable to take on, and making our corner of the world a better place to live.

— Daily American Republic