Bentonville, AR – July 11, 2018…Mayor McCaslin is pleased to announce the 2018 second quarter winners of the Mayor’s Outstanding Citizen Award are: Anna McCasland, Emily Douglas and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Bentonville Stake).
Anna McCasland was nominated by Rebecca Camarigg. Anna, a rising senior at Bentonville West High School (BWHS) is very involved at her school. She served as the Student Council president during the 2017-2018 school year as well as a member of the varsity cheer team. Anna is Bentonville West’s delegate to AR Girls State that took place earlier this summer. Ms. Camarigg comments that earlier this year, in lieu of the National School Walkout, Anna orchestrated a day of kindness, in which BWHS students were asked to perform 17 random acts of kindness in memory of the 17 Parkland victims.
John Douglas nominated his wife, Emily for the Outstanding Citizen Award. Emily is an active volunteer in many Bentonville organizations. She is an active member of her church, First United Methodist Church in Bentonville, where they attend regularly and Emily helps with communion twice a month. On a rotating basis, she delivers Meals on Wheels on Mondays. She has been an active volunteer with Friends of the Library for approximately 13 years, and volunteers at their store weekly. Additionally, she volunteers at the front desk and library at Circle of Life Hospice, and is also very active at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, serving weekly in their library. John and Emily have been married for 57 years, and John identifies Emily as a consummate volunteer.
Jennifer VanSlooten nominated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Bentonville Stake). Annually, this organization sponsors a one-day event called the Emergency Preparedness Fair. This event allows all NWA citizens the opportunity to come and learn how to prepare themselves in a time of disaster. A two-day blood drive is held in conjunction with this event benefitting the American Red Cross. It has been estimated in the 10+ years that this fair has taken place that the blood donations have saved over 1,000 lives. Additionally, each congregation that comprises the Bentonville Stake adopted a local charity in order to help support the individuals most in need in the community. The collective effort was dubbed, “Fall into Service” month, since the event typically takes place in October. Some of the Bentonville organizations benefitting from this initiative were Havenwood, Helping Hands and the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter. Other organizations outside of Bentonville also benefitted from this initiative. Jennifer wrote about her nominee: “Though none of these individuals would ever want to receive recognition for their service, it is noteworthy the amount of good a group of individuals can accomplish when they come together with a common goal. Although all of these efforts collectively have helped Bentonville become a better place to live with our families, it is the individuals who participated who benefitted the most. There is great satisfaction that comes from knowing you have helped another.”
The Outstanding Citizen Award program was initiated in January 2011 to recognize the exceptional volunteer contributions of Bentonville residents. There are three award categories: adult, youth and community group. The third quarter 2018 nominations will be accepted through September 14. This will be the last nomination period to take place during Mayor McCaslin’s final term of office. To obtain a nomination form and additional information, please visit the City’s website at www.bentonvillear.com.
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