Citizens of Dawson 2017

OUTSTANDING

DAWSON A PUBLICATION OF

JANUARY 2017

2 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Recognizing ‘outstanding’ locals

Each year, Dawson County News accepts nominations for those that go above and beyond to make our community a better place.

From a firefighter who serves his town and a school teacher that makes sure her students feel special, to a

veteran who is willing to help wherever he is needed and a real estate agent who has found purpose helping people in the community, this section showcases 10 stories of Dawson County’s outstanding citizens that strive to go that extra mile.

Firefighter goes above and beyond

By Allie Dean

adean@morrismultimedia.com

Ben Adams was surprised when he won the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year award during the Dawson County Emergency Services banquet on Dec. 2.

“I have no idea honestly,” Adams said when asked why he thought he was given the recognition. “I have done the best [I could] and [attended] as many trainings as I could, I guess.”

The volunteer-turned-career firefighter is now employed full-time in the county, and his first official day on the job was Jan. 4.

Adams, 20, also recently graduated from Dawson County-held EMT school, is an EMT basic. He will soon take a test to become a certified EMT. Around two dozen began the 10-month training class last February, and 11 graduated in December, including Adams.

Most were hired on after the course, and five in total are now employed in the county.

Adams took the rigorous class while serving as a volunteer firefighter.

“I tried to keep it as full-time as I could, and I would volunteer for 24 hour shifts and come to EMT school in the

Allie Dean Dawson County News

Firefighter Ben Adams poses in his gear after training with a live structure fire simulation on Jan. 5.

evenings,” he said. “The class was two or three days a week for four hours, and if the class was on a Saturday it would go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.”

Adams said that he took

advantage of the class being offered and the chance to become an EMT, despite the long hours and difficulty.

“It was a pretty hard class, we learned how to provide

basic medical care, do IVs, work in traumatic scenes and medical emergencies and do assessments,” Adams said.

He hopes to make a career out of being a firefighter and

EMT in Dawson County, though he was born and raised in Lumpkin.

“Dawson County gave me my chance to do this and I feel like I owe it to Dawson County to do what I can,” Adams said.

“It’s a great place to work and a great department.”

Danny Speaks, assistant chief and training officer, said he was proud of the work that Adams did as a volunteer firefighter.

“The biggest reason I think [Adams] got volunteer of the year is- we’ve got limited manpower, limited amount of people that can work per day. Him and Eli Kesting, his partner, pretty much for a while worked shifts they didn’t have to and they’ve been involved in projects going above and beyond what are required and what is usually expected,” Speaks said.

“Ben’s just a good kid, and he put in the effort to finish EMT school.”

Speaks said that he brings his 3-year-old son and 8-yearold daughter to the station, not to see the cool firetrucks, but to see the people there.

“I don’t take this lightly… these are the kind of people I want my kids to grow up around to become good people,” Speaks said.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 3

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Helping others brings her joy

By Amy French

afrench@dawsonnews.com

“I would be a miserable person if I wasn’t doing.”

Anyone that knows Tina Brady knows that not only is she not miserable, she is always doing. She is also always smiling.

“This is what brings me joy,” she said.

It better be because the list of things that Brady does for the community around her is staggering.

In the Dawsonville native’s former life, Brady taught math.

She taught in North Carolina while her husband was stationed at Ft. Bragg. She also taught in Stephens County High School and as an adjunct at Truett McConnell and at North Georgia Tech.

Her life now has little if any down

time because she is giving it all away wherever it may be needed—Dawson County High School, Harmony Baptist Church, wherever she may be at the moment.

Brady works part-time at Duncan Exterminating, the business begun 35 years ago by her parents Floyd and Sherry.

Their personal work ethic is something Brady admires and credits for her own.

“You just do,” she said. “They never vacation. They love the work. This was their life. It was their life, their joy, their everything. I learned a lot from them.”

Brady said that from a young age, her parents had her in church and in the community and she has clearly not changed those habits.

Dawsonville is a community that is undoubtedly benefitting from

Brady’s efforts and yet she fully credits the community she loves for many of her altruistic leanings.

“Whether it was the people I was with in my church, my teachers or the staff, you always saw people here working and doing for other people,” Brady said.

Brady, who played softball in college, has been a head basketball coach but now volunteers time with any number of teams.

She has assisted with middle school basketball and collegiate softball. She works with travel basketball, and does anything and everything to support all of the DCHS programs.

She’s adept at keeping books, running concession stands, fund raising, organizing banquets and has recently learned to run the clock.

See Brady | 14

For The Dawson County News

Tina Brady works part-time for the family business, Duncan Exterminating.

Veteran serves wherever he can

By Amy French

afrench@dawsonnews.com

Larry Harris is the kind that does what is needed whenever it is needed.

The 25-year military veteran served not only in the Navy during Vietnam, he also served in the Army reserves in military intelligence in the Iraqi war, as well as in Germany and the Bosnian conflict.

“He’s just, for a volunteer, he’s probably everything you’d want,” said Wayne Watkins, fellow member and a vice president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 970. “You ask him to do something and he takes it on.”

He’s only been a full-time Dawson County resident since 2010.

“If you are going to be a member of a community, you need to add to it,” Harris said.

The Alabama native cannot imagine living anywhere else now that he and his wife of 20 years, Paula, have settled here.

Harris is a vice president of Vietnam

Veterans of America, Chapter 970 and was named chapter Veteran of the Year in 2015.

After becoming a part of the local organization, he recognized a need for better communication among members who could either not always make it to meetings or who did not have email access.

“I started a newsletter for the chapter,” he said. “We have a lot of members who can’t make it to the meetings. I came up with this idea that would be a way to communicate with them.”

His monthly newsletter went from two pages to eight and it is distributed to the 104 members each month.

Over the last four years, in the midst of a personal devastating diagnosis, he has helped coordinate efforts through the VA for the Mountain Moonshine Festival including keeping up a database, organizing volunteers and framing and distributing certificates of appreciation to busiSee Harris | 6

Amy French Dawson County News

Dawsonville resident Larry Harris served in the Navy during Vietnam, and also served in the Army reserves during the Iraqi war.

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 5

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Congratulations Jack and Max for outstanding service to your community!

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Both Well deserved - Kevin Tanner 9th District House of Representative "It is refreshing to see members of this next generation honor and serve their community. Young men like Jack and Max reaffirm my faith in the continued greatness of Northeast Georgia, the State of Georgia and the United States." Judge John G. Breakfield Hall County State Court.

“Jack and Max Zappendorf are tremendous examples of young men dedicated to serving others while helping their community. They continuously give of their time and talent in various projects that provide care to others in need. Excellent students, athletes, and their work and service bring great honor to their families and their school.” Colonel, US Army (Retired) William J. Gallagher President, Riverside Military Academy The Zappendorf brothers have made a tremendous addition to the Riverside Family. Both brothers arrived on campus already harboring a wealth of knowledge and capability. I have never seen two students transition into the Riverside Corps so effortlessly and they are both already making headway toward future promotions.

Our only regret at Riverside is we did not get the

brothers sooner in their career. LTC, SF James G. Spivey Commandant of Cadets Jack and Max Zappendorf have both proven to be a great asset to the Corps of Cadets. Without encouragement or direction, I often see Jack and Max counseling, coaching, and encouraging other cadets in their times of need. Both boys are genuinely interested, and invested in bettering their company and their fellow cadets. We are very pleased, and proud to have both boys as members in the Corps of Cadets. LTC Adam L. Carter Deputy Commandant A Great Fit. After meeting and talking with Jack and Max Zappendorf, I knew that they would be a great fit a Riverside Military Academy. I am very proud to say after a 10 days of tough Raider Camp, a great Raider season

and now one semester of school.

I confirmed my first statement of what a great fit. It turned out to be a win, win for both of the Zappendorfs and Riverside Military Academy. Both are moving in the right direction with a servant heart and positive attitude. I can’t wait to see what’s next. LTC Kenny Payne Senior Army Instructor, JROTC Congratulations Max! What an honor to be chosen as an Outstanding Citizen of Dawson County! I believe this could be your first step toward a life of using your talents and gifts to make a difference in your community and your world. Make sure you work to deserve it! Mrs. Corbin Jack is a solid student. In his AP physics class, he is never afraid to express himself: asking questions, consistently offering up ideas, and contributing his thoughts to help the class overall to better understand the material. He is both courteous and respectful, and I've very much enjoyed having him as a student this year. Mr. Zoller

6 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com FROM 4

Harris nesses that make the annual raffle a success.

The monies collected by the group provide college scholarships for local high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of vets.

Harris also currently serves on the board of Veterans Affairs of Dawson County where he organizes the POW/ MIA Day in September.

“Dawson County is a very veteran-friendly community,” he said. “That’s why we, as veterans, try to give back to the community.”

The retired chief probations officer has also been a member of the local masonic lodge 222 for the last four years.

“Whatever needs to be done, I try to assist and help out.”

Along with several other local organizations, the group helps put up markers and flags in downtown Dawsonville for holidays and celebrations.

“As an officer, I feel like I need to be there—lead by example,” he said.

Now that he’s been here for six years, Harris said he considers Dawsonville home.

“It’s a safe place and I really enjoy it here. I can’t imagine living somewhere else,” he said.

Harris and his wife Paula are members at Grace Presbyterian Church, where he also serves on a committee and looks for ways to give back.

“I’ve had a good, happy life.”

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Real estate agent gives back to community she moved to

By Allie Dean

adean@morrismultimedia.com

Martha Holbrook will be the first to tell you that she has made Dawson County her home.

The real estate agent and Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador said that when she moved to Dawsonville after having lived in White County for 40 years, she felt her entire identity change.

“I grew up going to the grocery store and knowing everybody, but when I moved here I knew nobody,” Holbrook said. “The only way to get to know people and to be a part of the community is to participate.”

And participate she does.

Along with being a full time real estate agent with Norton Agency and the Good Shepherd Clinic’s chamber ambassador, Holbrook is also the treasurer of the Dawsonville Lions Club, board member at the Good Shepherd Clinic, board member at Dawsonville’s RIC Rack food pantry and charity shop, board member at the American Cancer Society and a devoted mother and grandmother.

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“After I moved here I just decided to be involved in the community,” Holbrook said. “I’ve been blessed and I like giving back to pay it forward.”

A lot of Holbrook’s time is spent forging relationships with business owners in the community and helping them feel more a part.

Holbrook won Ambassador of the Year for 2016 at the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. An ambassador is someone who represents an organization and goes to chamber events such as ribbon cuttings, membership drives and the annual gala.

Outreach through the chamber is the number one way Holbrook feels she helps business in the county thrive.

“I try to at least one day a month contact 15 to 20 chamber members to make sure they are getting their newsletter, are getting as much as they need to out of it,” Holbrook said. “If there is a new chamber member I will take them on a tour of the county and show them where all of the different places are, like the See Holbrook | 7

Congratulations to the 2017 Outstanding Citizens 2013 of Dawson County!

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Congratulations

Martha Holbrook For being voted Outstanding Citizen of Dawson County

Committed to North Georgia since 1928

To be a part of North Georgia’s Allie Dean Dawson County News

Real estate agent and chamber of commerce ambassador Martha Holbrook has received various awards for her service throughout the community.

FROM 6

Holbrook humane society, the courthouse, to help get them familiar with what is out there.”

Holbrook also started a networking group for the chamber a year and a half ago.

The group, called Dawson Connections Networking Group, is free and open to anyone who wants to attend.

“We usually do some type of educational presentation,” Holbrook said.

“This is a network of people to fall back on. Never discount anyone you know, because it may be next year when you need them, but you’ll need them.”

Another key part of Holbrook’s service to the community is rooted in her belief that everyone be treated equal.

Holbrook has taught financial classes at the detention center for female inmates, at the Lanier Tech adult education center, and soon the Goodwill Career Center in Dawsonville.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Football coach loves giving back to Dawson

By Amy French

afrench@dawsonnews.com

In Sid Maxwell’s first three years as a head football coach, he was results driven.

With a particular amount of grace and humility, he will laugh and tell you his team went 10-20 during that period.

Entering his 29th year of coaching (22 years as a head coach), he said that he learns from his own mistakes. The wisdom that he has gained has taken him so much further—both on and off the field.

His focus has shifted from results to the parts that matter: The kids.

“When you start off being a head football coach, you follow people who have been around you. I don’t think you really know your philosophy. My first three years, I was a result-driven coach. I was looking at the bottom line,” Maxwell said.

Now, he looks at every student.

The irony is in giving up that ambition, he’s

found greater success. There have only been two years that his team did not make the playoffs.

“That transformation for me and has been building the last 19 years, my focus became on them, not the program. Then it has branched out, what can I do for students? It just keeps growing. That’s the reason I have termed it family. Even if you don’t play for me, we break on family in here. It’s more of a family and being in Dawson County makes it even easier. We really mean that,” he said.

Anyone who spends time around the two-year old system in place at DCHS under Maxwell’s leadership gets a taste of a program with its priorities in order.

“He values people over performance and relationships over results, which leads to success on the scoreboard of life. He recognizes the privilege he has in equipping young people to leave a legacy that goes beyond the field,” said Russell Davis who See Maxwell | 9

The Bowen Center for the Arts appreciates the contributions

Nancy McNeil

Amy French Dawson County News

Dawson County High School Head Football Coach Sid Maxwell has an open door policy and makes it a point to be available for his students.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

FROM 8

Maxwell is the character coach for the team.

The staff puts a great emphasis on character development that goes well beyond the norm of workouts, training and practice.

“I think that is the centerpiece of what we do,” he said. “To me it’s like a spoke and a wheel, the character would probably be the hub of who we are and what we are and what we expect to be.”

The effect is a program that reaches out into its community and betters it through programs like “Future You” where current players spend time with the kids they have

become role models for.

From the beginning, Maxwell has sought to bring in volunteer park and rec coaches to train and help them as they work with the next generation.

His own players in turn have also become community coaches, expanding their horizons and finding ways to impact the next generation.

“I think we have been given a vehicle and a means to get a whole group of people together with a common goal but also to be bigger than themselves,” he said.

“Everything has a purpose.”

“He loves the kids where they’re at in hopes of seeing them become all they can be. He is a friend, teacher, mentor, and father-figure. Coach Maxwell speaks from his heart with words that encourage and build up the kids,” Davis said.

Retired principal champions literacy

Dr. Larry Anderson has been proudly serving the Dawsonville

By Allie Dean

provides excellent medical care for adult patients.

adean@morrismultimedia.com

Wee Books member Nancy McNeil understands the power of the written word and its integral role in childhood development.

“I’ve been a part of Wee Books for six or seven years,” McNeil said. “I think it’s one of the best things we’ve got going. I was a principal and teacher so I’m very into reading and education. Putting books in kids’ hands is really important.”

Supported by the Ferst Foundation, every month the organization mails a book to each child that has been enrolled until they reach kindergarten.

The books cost $3 each, and the program in January reached their highestever enrollment numbers. Currently, 795 children in Dawson County receive books in the mail free of charge. The only requirement is that the children live within the county.

The books have to be paid for somehow, because $36 a year for each child is, as McNeil put it, like an alligator with its mouth open- you have to keep feeding it.

“Our job is to go out and find the kids

and to get the money to pay for the books, and we do both of those continually,” McNeil said. “We go to the county’s Trunk or Treat (where this year 80 children signed up), Breakfast with Santa (where McNeil signed up 28) and other events. We have our applications out everywhere, at doctor’s offices, libraries, everywhere. We go and we get the kids and it’s a very positive thing, the parents love it.”

Wee Books does two large fundraisers each year to help support their program.

The first, Leap for Literacy, is an event that has been held in February for the past seven years.

During the Leap for Literacy event, teams from local businesses, schools, sports teams, churches and other organizations will sign up to either dip their toes in the frigid water of Lake Lanier, go in a little further in and get their legs wet or jump off a dock into the open water.

Teams pay an entrance fee depending on what level of wet they get, and proceeds go towards buying the books.

The club also does a barn dance at the See McNeil | 14

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Free clinic manager delivers hope

By Allie Dean

adean@morrismultimedia.com

Good Shepherd Clinic Manager Kay Parrish helps patients get more than just medical care- she gives them their lives back.

“Our clinic provides medical services to those citizens of Dawson County who are uninsured and fall below the 200 percent federal poverty level,” Parrish said. “By providing free basic healthcare, we are helping people go back to work and become more productive citizens.”

Parrish said that through the clinic’s many services, they are helping people see again, hear again, manage pain and monitor chronic illness. Through their prescription assistance program, the uninsured can have access to life-changing medications at no cost to them.

Parrish said the real heroes at the clinic are the doctors, pharmacists and nurses who volunteer their time to serve patients.

“They are all still practicing physicians and dentists who donate their time,” Parrish said. “They’re the ones that make it go. I’m just coordinating things, reaching out into the community to let them know that we’re here.

They’re the ones that really provide the healthcare.”

Parrish and her husband moved to Dawsonville in 2001, and helped start the clinic in 2009, when it was run out of the basement of Grace Presbyterian Church.

“When we moved up here I went looking for a church that was interested in the community and doing community service, not interested in joining a church that talked about religion and didn’t do,” Parrish said. “Grace was out doing in the community.”

Though the clinic has long outgrown the basement and the church is no longer the sole contributor, the free clinic still runs solely on donations.

As manager, Parrish’s biggest roles are coordinating doctors and volunteers with patients, community outreach and looking for funding.

Good Shepherd Clinic Vice-Chairman Doug Powell said the clinic is very

proud of Parrish, and glad she is being recognized for her contributions as an outstanding citizen.

“She is well-equipped with accounting and organizational skills, and [Parrish] does an excellent job representing Good Shepherd Clinic in the community,” Powell said. “[She] has a big heart for helping others, and she serves our clinic patients with love and true compassion. She is unselfish and generous with her time and talents.”

Helping those who would not otherwise be helped is part of Parrish’s DNA. Growing up in Peach County, Parrish said that her family was riddled with doctors and nurses. Her grandfather would ride around in his Buick as a make-shift ambulance, picking up patients and caring for them. Her grandmother went around to everyone’s outhouses and put sulfur in the toilets, even though her nurse’s training was not in public health.

“They were so ahead of their time,” Parrish said. “They just got out there and did it.”

Parrish’s parents also had an innate need to help others. Parrish’s sister Christine is developmentally delayed, and when she was born 63 years ago in Peach County, their mother found there were not resources that would help her child, and other children with special needs, to learn.

Her mom, a home economics teacher, went back to school to become a special education teacher.

She established a school for her daughter Christine and others like her, the Kay Community Service Center for the mentally handicapped.

The school was groundbreaking for the time, and Kay said that now the center receives federal funding for the services it provides.

Because she belonged to a do-it-yourself family with a passion for caring for others, Parrish said that directing the clinic is just second nature.

“I can remember people coming to my grandfather’s back door for healthcare all my life, so it’s just sort of ingrained,” Parrish said. “I’ve been doing it for a long time. I’m just used to it.”

Allie Dean Dawson County News

Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawsonville Manager Kay Parrish stands outside the free clinic on Hwy. 53 East.

To an Outstanding Veteran From The Membership Of

Larry Harris

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 970

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 11

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Congratulations to our 2017 Outstanding Citizens.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Teacher reaches outside classroom

By Amy French

afrench@dawsonnews.com

On any given evening second grade teacher Linda Sperin can be found in the stands at a local gymnasium or ball field.

That’s because the 19-year teaching veteran makes it a point every week, oftentimes multiple days in a week, to be out supporting her current and former students.

“If I didn’t connect with them outside of the classroom, it would be awful,” she said. “I can’t always reach them in class, really.”

Sperin has attended recitals, games and events ever since she started teaching and she thinks it is a critical part of getting to know her students.

Her family, including her two grown children, was even accus-

tomed to heading to the ballpark during the week and on weekends to support her “other” kids when they weren’t participating in their own activities.

“My kids were into sports,” she said. “They would play against kids I knew. Every time a new class came, I would always ask parents for a schedule of their events.”

Sperin was named teacher of the year last spring by her peer’s at Black’s Mill, but the parents of her students will attest to her commitment beyond the classroom.

“My daughter was thrilled to see Mrs. Sperin at her game,” said Amanda Walburg. “She told me she could hear her from the stands coaching and praising her the entire game.”

Putting in those kinds of unpaid, extra hours is something

many would scoff at, but something Sperin can’t imagine missing.

Aside from supporting her own students, she has adopted another group of students that have become her own for all intents and purposes—what is now the Dawson County High School swim team.

An avid swimmer when she was young, Sperin volunteered as a swim coach through park and rec and was approached about coaching at the high school level if ever there was a team.

When the team was approved, she started from scratch to develop a program without access to any of the necessary facilities.

She volunteered an extensive number of hours during the first ever swim season, including helping generate sponsors for the

Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County Good Shepherd Clinic is very proud to Congratulate our Executive Dir., Kay Parrish, and Board Member, Martha Holbrook, upon their worthy recognition as Outstanding Citizens of Dawson County.

An honor much deserved by both!

Amy French Dawson County News

Second grade teacher Linda Sperin laughs with one of her students.

program and renting lanes at the Cumming Aquatic Center.

Sperin’s now an official coach and travels for 8:15 p.m. practic-

es three nights a week in another county.

Sperin, however, has enjoyed it all.

Congratulations to our 2017 Outstanding Citizens of Dawson County Thank you for your contribution to our community!

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

CONGRATULATIONS JIM WATSON CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING CHOSEN AS JIM WATSON FOR BEING CHOSEN AS ONE OF DAWSON COUNT ONE OF DAWSON COUNTY’S 2016 OUTSTANDING CITIZENS! 2016 OUTSTANDING CITIZE dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 13

United Way board member Jim Watson speaks at his home on Nov. 5 during the United Way fundraiser BBQ.

Allie Dean Dawson County News

Business owner opens home to help charities

By Allie Dean adean@morrismultimedia.com

United Way board member Jim Watson moved to Dawsonville in 2010 looking for a place to retire with his wife Barbara.

After having lived and worked in the Atlanta area for over 20 years, the pair decided to build their dream home somewhere far north of the commotion and congestion that metropolitan living can bring.

Once their home was complete, the Watsons held an open house and invited many people, including those from United Way for Dawson County, a nonprofit organization that they joined after moving to the county. The event spurred a great idea -- an annual BBQ that would serve as the organization’s primary fundraiser for the next few years.

United Way partners with local non-profit organizations and helps them fund their projects.

“When we first started doing the BBQ we had about 40 people there, and now we easily go over 200,” Watson said. “It’s been a great success, we raise about $12,000 a year with that. We have a lot of other board members that help do it and pitch init’s a group effort.”

Each spring, United Way presents its partners with an allocation of the money they have collected throughout the year. The group raised nearly $70,000 in 2015.

Watson stressed that United Way is unique in that

what they raise goes directly back to helping people within the county.

“One hundred percent of what we raise is distributed back to local agencies and the community,” Watson said. “We have zero overhead, no salaried employees.”

Though Watson said that the economy has made people more conservative with their money, that doesn’t stop him from trying to gain support and donations for the organizations he supports.

Watson has also served on the board for the Northeast Georgia American Red Cross in Gainesville for four years.

Watson and his wife have been married for 38 years and have four kids. Watson is actively involved in Bethel United Methodist Church and has been a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors of America for 25 years.

“We love this area, love the people. Hope to stay here and grow old. I’m sure I’ll get more involved in other charities once I retire,” Watson said.

Community members say that the community is a better place for having Watson in it. “[Watson] has been a close personal friend since I came to this community,” said Chris Gaines, who is district 2 commissioner for the county, United Way member and neighbor to Watson. “He is a model for community service and for helping others. Not one to enjoy the limelight, but he is always willing to help where he can. He’s a good man with a good heart and he is very deserving of the award.”

CONGRATULATIONS JIM WATSON FOR BEING CHOSEN AS ONE OF DAWSON COUNTY’S 2016 OUTSTANDING CITIZENS! Thank you for your lifetime of giving back to the communities in which you and Barbara have lived.

We are lucky to have you in Dawson County!

Your dedication to improving the Thank forthrough your lifetime giving lives of you others your of work with back to the communities in which you United Way is greatly appreciated. and Barbara have lived.

Thank you for your lifetime of giv back to the communities in which are lucky to have you in andWeBarbara have lived.

Dawson County!

Your dedication to improving the lives of others through your work with United Way is greatly appreciated.

We are lucky to have you in Dawson County!

Your dedication to improving t

14 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Siblings contribute to community

By Amy French

afrench@dawsonnews.com

Jack and Max Zappendorf are anything but your average senior and sophomore in high school.

The siblings have built resumes that would make most adults ogle at the ages of only 17 and 15 respectively.

“Dawson County has been great to me,” Jack said.

“When I moved here four years ago, I quickly adapted and met many great people in the community because I started volunteering.”

Jack helps out at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, with the Mountain Moonshine Festival and for food drives with RIC-Rack.

The 17-year-old senior at Riverside Military Academy has a desire to serve his country as well as his community. He has already

For The Dawson County News

Above: Jack Zappendorf gets a photo with now President Donald Trump when he volunteered at one of his rallies during the campaign. Right: Max Zappendorf works to gather food every year for the RIC-Rack food pantry.

received two appointments—one to the United States Merchant Marine Academy by Sen. Johnny Isakson and one to the United States Air Force Academy by Congressman Doug Collins.

“I aspire to fly for our

military and get a degree to serve as a doctor to help save lives,” he said.

Jack cites his own mother’s swearing in ceremony as a U.S. citizen as inspiration for learning about civic responsibility and encouraging his own.

He completed his Eagle Scout project at just 14, an outdoor classroom at Dawson County Junior High School.

“Jack and Max Zappendorf are tremendous examples of young men dedicated to serving others while helping their community. They continuously give of their time and talent in various projects that provide

FROM 4

FROM 9

At Harmony Baptist Church, Brady is both the teen and adult choir director. Oh yeah, and she plays the piano. And sings.

And puts together special programs. And helps organize mission trips.

Brady and her family made multiple trips to Hurricane Katrina-devastated areas in Mississippi for several years to organize bible schools and bring in supplies.

She’s organized the same kinds of efforts locally with Bible schools for children in Hartwell.

Sometimes those efforts have overlapped with circumstances like housing orphans from Haiti.

“That has been fun to see,” she said. “It was like a reinforcement. It’s like God says, ‘yeah, I’m telling you this. Invest in this.’”

Like her parents did with her, Brady and her husband Kip have done with their own three girls—Stephanie, Heather and Kati.

end of April, and has many sponsors within the community.

“People want to give to kids, they realize how important books are,” McNeil said. “We have a big job, but it’s such a good job and such an important job. And it’s a fun group of people.”

McNeil moved to Dawson County 20 years ago and became a member of the Dawson County Woman’s Club, where she has remained since. McNeil has also served the past four years on the Dawson County Arts Council, serving a year as vice president and two as president. This year she is passing on the torch.

Friend and fellow Wee Books board member Sue Poynter said that McNeil is truly deserving of the title of outstanding citizen. “(McNeil) is one of the most generous people with her time and talents with whom you could ever work,” Poynter said. “She is both creative and extremely efficient in every effort she undertakes. She not only gets the job done, she gets it done with class and style, plus she makes it fun to work with her. She’s also a fabulous friend!”

Brady

care to others in need.

Excellent students, athletes and their work and service bring great honor to their families and their school,” said President of the Riverside Military Academy, Colonel U.S. Army (retired) William J. Gallagher.

Jack’s younger brother Max was also inspired by his their parents, Seanie and Ron. “I started volunteering at a very young age so it’s always been a part of growing up of do what you do because you want to, not what you get back in return,” Max said.

Though he is only 15, Max feels a strong commitment to his community.

“I think Dawson County is a great, yet small county where everyone knows everyone,” he said. “I am in the process of completing

my Eagle Scout project. I’m clearing a 120 x 120 space at Bethel United Methodist Church where our scout troop meets so the church would have an outdoor fellowship area. I wanted to do it in honor of our last pastor Dr. Orin Sampson and in memory of Mr. Marcus Byrd that made it where we have a place to meet for boy scouts.”

Max also recognized the poverty in his community at a young age and, through his church, found a vehicle to help.

Since 2013, he has been working to collect food to deliver during the holidays and in 2016 was responsible for delivering 1,037 pounds of food. It was the largest single donation RIC-Rack has received at one time.

He has also been volunteering at the GRHOF for the last couple of years.

McNeil

Allie Dean Dawson County News

Nancy McNeil, Wee Books member and longtime member of Dawson County Women’s Club, poses for a photo.

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 15

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

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