Twelve community heroes and organizations were honored for outstanding service in the Quad City community. Honorees include:
Youth -Benjamin Jones a student at Assumption High School. Jones helped a fellow student who was injured in a serious accident, resulting in extensive brain injuries with rehabilitation; get to class and onto the bus at the end of the day. Any time the injured student needed motivation Jones was there.
Education -Mary Kmoch, an educator at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center. Kmoch received this award for her effectiveness that embraces the challenges of working with at-risk students. The curriculum Kmoch helped create has motived and engaged all Thurgood youth.
Organization -The Metro Parent Board. This group of mothers and grandmothers received this award because for six years, these board volunteers have been responsible for more than 80,000 positive contact hours each year with metro youth.
Education -Morrison’s Barber Shop, owned by John Morrison. Morrison has been a positive influence in the Rock Island community for 16 years by providing aimless young men the opportunity to have a steady job, learn a trade and how to become a professional in main stream America.
Law Enforcement -Rock Island Elderly Services Office Jeffrey Ronk. Ronk is an officer who is in the community conducting presentations with CCC Friends for Victims Coordinator regarding prevention safety and scams. He works with other agencies as well to coordinate special services beyond what the police can do for these citizens.
The second Law Enforcement Award -Sheriff Dennis Conard. Conard has been proactive within the region producing a safer way to manage jail inmates. He has improved programs to assist inmates when they return to the Quad Cities. Conard recruits qualified programmers and volunteers into the jail to assist inmates and staff as they prepare inmates for transition.
Individuals Awards -Brenda Carmen. Carmen has a long career of service in the Rock Island community. She has worked with seniors, the PTA, youth groups, CCC and neighborhoods in general. Carmen also helped organize the Township Court Watch Program to keep an eye on the court system on behalf of citizens.
The second Individual Award -Jennifer Shewell. Shewell recently cared for a 15 year old female who had been stabbed in an alley near her home. She decided to take a stand and come forward and help in a time of need when as we see on the television everyday, people are afraid to get involved in their communities.
Quad City Community Award -WGVV-FM. WGVV received this award for its public service to the Illinois and Iowa Quad Cities. WGVV was established to stimulate, educate and entertain the Quad Cities to reflect diversity of the community and provide a channel for individuals, groups, and businesses that may not be heard otherwise. They also provide broadcast training to youth and adults in the Quad Cities.
Bi State Award -Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is an agency that gets down to basics, that helps create and grow neighborhoods. They created a neighborhood in Rock Island called “Habitat Park”. Habitat assists individuals in the Quad Cities with reaching the American dream -homeownership.
John H. Williams Award -Clarence Huff. Huff received this award for his many years of mentoring and tutoring children so they could achieve higher standards of learning and a better quality of life. For more than 50 years he has volunteered with the Boy Scouts, the Rock Island Housing Authority, Project NOW and the Ecumenical Council on Churches.
Crime Fighter of the Year Award -Jeremy Salsberry. Salsberry has gone out of his way to fight crime in the city of Bettendorf and with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group. He has promoted opportunities for youth and then works directly with them through the Explorers Program. He often volunteers for overtime and has served as the Field Trainer. .. all the while being the single dad of five!
