DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Two locals earned awards from the City of Decatur and National Night Out Committee to recognize their positive contributions to the community.
The 2024 Johnson & Mears Community Service Award was bestowed during Decatur’s National Night Out (NNO) event on Tuesday. The award was created in honor of Francie Johnson, a Fansfield Neighborhood member, and Helen Jeanne Mears, a Park City Neighborhood volunteer. Both women were executive members of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO) and were actively involved in the NNO event for many years, with Mears also being a NNO Steering Committee member.
This year’s awards were given to Sue Lawson and Jack and Joyce Keller.
Lawson is the former president of the GM Square neighborhood and CONO. Currently, she is a member of the Beautify Decatur Coalition. By combining her interior decorating business with the power of Decatur youth, Lawson’s “Inside Out Project” has remodeled rooms for local residents. Youngsters in the community have learned handy skills like carpeting and painting along the way.
The Kellers are the founders of the Little Red Wagon Club and the Jesse White Tumblers, granting city kids the opportunity to play and stay active. They also work to prevent community violence through the CeaseFire organization and are advocates for the Old King’s Orchard neighborhood. Additionally, they have served as board members of the Northeast Community Fund and City of Decatur Human Relations Commission.
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