By Jim Strine
On Saturday, Tanya Ferguson will be the first-ever recipient of the "The Georgina McAnally Volunteer of the Year" award.
According to club director Jonathon Godes, a group of community members active with the Boys & Girls Club decided to change the name of the annual "Volunteer of the Year" award to the new name in honor of immeasurable contributions McAnally made to the club in her years as a volunteer.
In a release from the club, Boys & Girls Club of Craig President Dave DeRose stated, "Georgina was the driving force behind both these organizations, plus she did a lot for people all year — the community really should have been thanking her.”
The honor will be awarded to Ferguson during the Boys & Girls Club of Craig Cowboy Christmas fundraiser event scheduled for tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m.
Ferguson was chosen because among other accomplishments, she has volunteered as a coach and scout leader, and is a regular volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club where she has taught tennis, arts & crafts and science programs. Ferguson has also been instrumental in organizing and planning the club's two "Cowboy Christmas" events.
As far as coordinators were concerned, an award that would honor that kind of dedication seemed fitting to name in McAnally’s honor.
"Georgina not only was a supporter and board member of the Boys & Girls Club, but she served on numerous boards and volunteered hours of her time for the betterment of our community. We are pleased to honor her memory by each year recognizing someone who cares about people and does something for others as Georgina did so well," Patti Askew, Chairperson of the BGCC Special Events Committee, stated in a club release.
In the same release, Jamie McAnally commented on how proud he was of his mother.
"I am extremely honored that the Boys & Girls Club of Craig has named the annual volunteer award after my mother, Georgina McAnally,” he stated. “I am so very proud that she took such an interest in all the activities both Bryan and I participated in during our youth and continued to do so throughout her life. I know that she gave so much of herself because of a care for the community and the rewards that go along with volunteering. Her passion for assisting, contributing, and organizing efforts for the greater benefit of this community are a benchmark for volunteers to follow, and one that I personally admire and strive for as both a citizen of Craig and continuing her legacy as a business leader in the community."
Other people to be honored Saturday night include "Man and Woman of the Year" — Shannon and Mark Samuelson; "Business of the Year" — Chapman Automotive Service Center" (J.B. and Paula Chapman, owners); and "Youth of the Year" — Katie Morris.
Tickets for Saturday's event are $30 per person and can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce, Craig Daily Press, KS Kreations, or the Boys & Girls Club. For information, call 826-0411.