Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star file photoDavid Patton prepares bags of groceries at Wesley House to distribute to people in need. Meridian and East Mississippi is known for its spirit of giving.

Ask anyone around Meridian and East Mississippi to identify three things they like most about this region and the variety of answers will include the beauty and abundance of natural resources, arts and entertainment venues, philantropic organizations and churches, education and job training resources or the many transporation options that serve as a gateway for Mississippi and beyond.

One attribute that is on everyone’s top three list, however, is the region’s people.

The people, afterall, provide the resources to fuel those giving organizations and provide the hospitality and talent that make all of our resources so enjoyable.

Throughout the year, we share many stories in The Meridian Star and meridianstar.com about the businesses, organizations and people who make Meridian and the surrounding area such a good place to work and live.

At this time of year, we annually make an extra effort to recognize those special people who’ve done good works in the last year by telling their stories in our Profile sections. 

We again ask your help to identify people who did good work by making nominations for Citizen of the Year and Unsung Heroes. 

In addition, if you lead a business or organization, we need your help providing information to inform the community about your accomplishments.

Here’s how you can help:

• Citizen of the Year: In 2018 we recognized Eddie Kelly, a Marine Corps veteran who retired in 2018 as division manager for Mississippi Power, for his philanthropic work with numerous community organizations. Who would you nominate in 2019 as a citizen who has done extraordinary work to serve this community? Please send us your nomination and supporting reasons.

• Unsung Heroes: Who are the people who did good deeds, but are seldom recognized – a youth leader, a grandparent who volunteers in the schools, a lay minister who visits the homebound, a neighbor who looks out for the elderly, a hospice worker who provides comfort? Please send us a recommendation letter that provides supporting reasons.

• Business/Agency/School profiles: We again will feature fact boxes about the region’s businesses, service agencies and schools. We’re asking for:

Business/Agency/School name:

Location:

Employees/volunteers:

About (100 words about what you do or make):

Leadership (top officers):

Website:

Contact information:

There are many good people and organizations doing good things. Won’t you help us recognize them?

Send your nominations for Citizen of the Year, Unsung Heroes and your organization’s fact boxes to editor@themeridianstar.com, including “2019 Profile” in the subject line or by mail to Dave Bohrer, Editor, The Meridian Star, PO Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39301. Email is preferred. Please include your contact information so we may very the information.

Thank you for your help.

Dave Bohrer is editor of The Meridian Star. Email him dbohrer@themeridianstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @DA_Bohrer.