McFarlin, Owen and Davidson honored as recipients of the Sybil Leamon Volunteer Awards

By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1

In contrast with the dreary and overcast Glasgow sky, the mood in a small room located on the Western Kentucky University Glasgow campus was friendly and bright as members of Barren Inc. gathered for the annual Sybil Leamon Volunteer Awards. The conference featured three awards — the Ambassador of the Year, the Board Member of the Year and the main award the Sybil Leamon Volunteer Award.

Sybil Leamon, who is the namesake of the award ceremony, was a realtor and a “dedicated volunteer” in the Barren County community before she died in a car crash in 2004. During her tenure in the Barren County community she served as an ambassador for the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce, as president for the Barren County Realtors Association and was a member of the Glasgow Rotary Club.

“Volunteers are the heart and soul of a thriving community and their invaluable contributions play a pivotal role in shaping the success of organizations like ours,” said Maureen Carpenter, president and CEO of Barren Inc. “These dedicated individuals selflessly invest their time, skills and passion into making a positive impact. From organizing events to fostering community engagement, volunteers are the driving force behind the chamber’s ability to connect, support and uplift our local businesses…Their selfless acts not only inspire the community but help others to join the cause,”

Presented by Janice Turner, the former ambassador chairperson, who called ambassadors the “backbone” of a successful chamber, the recipient of the Ambassador of the Year Award was Jamie McFarlin of Foreman Watson Land Titles. As Turner read her prepared announcement co-workers and friends lined the outside wall to congratulate McFarlin.

In much the same way Scott Kerley, former chamber president, announced that South Central Bank’s Robin Owens was named the Board Member of the Year. Owens was unable to be present at the ceremony so members of Barren Inc. surprised her with the award on Monday, Jan. 22.

As the capstone of the 17-minute ceremony Matt London, the newly elected board president, announced that Cheryl Davidson, a member of Abound Federal Credit Union, was the 2024 Sybil Leamon Volunteer of the Year.

“This award seeks to honor an individual that exemplifies the same fervor and commitment that Sybil had for our community,” London said. “Barren County and our chamber are fortunate to boast a large pool of really dedicated volunteers so the task of singling out an individual was really a challenge, but as we delved into various programs and chamber initiatives one name consistently surfaced.”

Davidson was teary-eyed as she accepted the award from Leamon’s daughter and grandson, Shari and Gabe Wallace.

“I have been so fortunate to be a part of the chamber…I have learned so much from so many people and I’m still learning,” Davidson said. “Their are so many people who deserve this award…but I’m so honored to have it this year,”