The City of Hopkinsville hosted its second annual Mayor’s Community Awards reception on Tuesday to spotlight residents for their positive impact on the community.
The city accepted nominations, and five awards were presented to recognize the outstanding contributions of a volunteer, a city employee, a nonprofit, a small business and an educator.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight says it’s an honor to recognize those who are going above and beyond to make Hopkinsville a better place to live.
City Administrative Coordinator Diane Turner announced each of the winners and shared why they were selected. The volunteerism award went to Charles Turner and Diane Croney Turner for the work they do at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center and with other community organizations.
Croney Turner says she was surprised to be selected for the award and calls it very humbling.
The city employee award went to Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement Officer Darnell West. Turner says West’s leadership and dedication make him an invaluable member of the city team. West says it feels good to be recognized for his work since, as a code enforcement officer, he is not always positively received by folks.
The nonprofit award went to the Back2Back Foundation which was established in 2005 to support families in Christian, Todd and Trigg Counties during the holiday season as well as donate to local nonprofits. Since it started, the nonprofit has raised over $1.2 million, and most of those funds were raised from the annual Brice Long Back2Back Benefit Concert.
Nonprofit Chairman Brent Gilkey says it’s great to be recognized for their work over the past two decades.
The small business award went to Ruffled Willow, a floral company that began in the owner’s home in 2019 and now has a storefront location in a shopping center along Fort Campbell Boulevard. Owner Danielle Renshaw says it feels good to see her and her staff’s work be recognized.
Lastly, the education award went to Benita Wade, a SNAP educator. Turner says she has helped families plan nutritious meals, manage food budgets and practice safe food handling. Wade says she was very happy and honored to have received the award.