The information presented on this page may be outdated. It may refer to situations which have changed or people who are no longer affiliated with the university. It is archived as part of Mississippi State University's history.
Staff Member Honored as Hometown Hero
By: Vanessa Beeson
FWRC staff member, Lisa McReynolds (pictured with her award), along with Carol Moss Read and Ruth de la Cruz were awarded the "Hometown Hero" award on September 29, 2015 presented by Barbara Coats, FIC, of the Modern Woodmen of America chapter of Starkville, Mississippi.
To qualify as a recipient of this award, a member of the chapter or community nominates someone to show appreciation for their work in the community. The chapter then recognizes the honoree and presents a certificate and a $100 donation to the recipient's charity of choice.
Lisa was nominated by Volunteer Starkville's Executive Director, Jamey Bachman, and she then designated her $100 donation to Gabe Smith, CAO of Starkville Community Theater. Lisa was nominated by Bachman for founding 'Almost Like Home' Christmas dinner provided each year to emergency responders of Starkville who can't spend the holiday at home with their families.
She organizes, with the help of many members of the Starkville community, distribution of meals to the Starkville Police Department, Starkville Fire Department, Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department/911 dispatchers, and the Oktibbeha County Hospital Emergency Room staff on Christmas Day.
Lisa was very surprised, yet very honored, to receive the 'Hometown Hero' award and said it was a "community effort; one that I could not have done alone." She plans to continue with the dinner tradition each year and also hopes to expand her volunteer services to other outreach areas where needed.
