Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Joplin, Diamond, Greenfield residents receive Senior Service awards

2018 Senior Service Award PhotoState Reps. White, Kelley and Reiboldt, today announced that Kenneth and Armetta Sedge, Greenfield; Sid Davis, Diamond; and Richard King of Joplin were named as the recipients of Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson’s 2018 Senior Service Awards.  

They were among more than 89 seniors from around the state who were honored for their activism within the community. The ceremony at the State Capitol was held May 7, 2018.

“Kenneth and Armetta Sedge, are invaluable members of the Greenfield community where they both volunteer at the Greenfield Senior Center.  Kenneth Sedge arrives at the center every morning at 2:00 a.m. to help prepare meals for the day and stays to help clean up, while Armetta Sedge goes to the center each day to help in a variety of positions.  Greenfield is a small town that is rich with public servants giving to the others in their community,” said Kelley, R-Lamar. “I am proud to get the opportunity to show them around a beloved Capitol, and to celebrate their accomplishments with the prestigious Lt. Governors Senior Service Award.” 

“Richard has compiled an enviable list of service to his community through his support of many homebuilding and repair projects through Habitat for Humanity in Southwest Missouri and around the country.  He is active in Laborers for Christ and the Lutheran Comfort Dog Program, for which he is a dog handler and care giver.  I am so thrilled he is receiving recognition for all the work he does to improve our community. I want to thank him for his hard work, and sincerely congratulate him for being one of the recipients of this prestigious award,” said Bill White, R-Joplin. 

King made the trip to Jefferson City with his wife Sandy, along with Dr. Laurie Behm of Freeman Health Systems, Joplin, and Peggy Behm, Joplin, who nominated Mr. King for his service to the Joplin area.

Their itinerary involved participating in the Lt. Governors Senior Service Awards Ceremony, touring the Hall of Famous Missourians as well Missouri History Museum on the 1st Floor, and a trip to the dome and the whispering gallery led by Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar. 

“Davis spends his time looking for ways to better the world.  He is devoted to fighting poverty through mentorship and for many years has hosted and cooked for semi-annual receptions for Circles of Joplin as well as cooking for international students attending MSSU.  Davis has raised funds and traveled to underdeveloped areas of the world working diligently on projects such as Wheelchairs for Haiti and Grand Bahamas and Clean Water for Belize.  

In addition, he has provided mentoring and support for a saw mill, peanut butter factory and chicken farms in Haiti in the hopes of fostering economic independence and decreasing poverty in that country.  Davis is a prodigious volunteer whose time and efforts have indeed changed the world and whose impact will be lasting,” said Reiboldt, R-Neosho.  Davis attended the trip to Jefferson City with his wife Jo Ellen, along with Dr. Ellen Nichols, Freeman Health Systems, Joplin, who nominated Mr. Davis for his service to the community.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Service Award acknowledges senior citizens that provide their local communities with at least 40 hours of community service per year.  Lt. Gov. Parson presented King with the award during a ceremony at the State Capitol on May 7.

(Photo: On May 7, 2018, recipients of the 2018 Senior Service Award sponsored by Lt. Gov. Parson . Pictured are Dr. Ellen Nichols and Dr. Laurie Behm, Joplin; Kenneth and Armetta Sedge, along with Representative Mike Kelley, Greenfield; Representative Bill Reiboldt and Sid Davis, Diamond; Lt. Governor Mike Parson; and Richard King and Representative Bill White, Joplin.)

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