With a theme of “Light up the World with Kindness,” several honors and awards were handed out Thursday morning at the Hopkinsville Human Rights Commission Unity Breakfast.
This year’s Mayor’s Unity Award went to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Judge’s Award was presented to Wynn Radford. Charles Turner took home the Volunteer of the Year Award for over 40 years of service at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center and the Bernard Standard Award for Excellence went to Alisha Barton, who is the director of social services at the local Salvation Army.
This year’s prestigious Hal and Bettye Thurmond Award went to Patricia Beliles, who has mentored countless people battling addiction and who founded the Mobile Micah ministry that’s now Mobile Love and continues with hot meal delivery.
Lt. Lindsey Galabeas with the Salvation Army was the keynote speaker and focused on compassion, encouraging folks to give their struggling neighbor or loved one a second chance.
She says a little more intentional compassion could go a long way to transform the community.
The Human Rights Commission will be celebrating 60 years of service to Hopkinsville and Christian County next year.
