New Madrid Chamber of Commerce honors 3 individuals, New Madrid Living Center

NEW MADRID, MO. - Each of the recipients of the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 awards had something in common.

According to Christina McWaters, executive director of the New Madrid Chamber, when contacted about their award, each said they didn’t deserve it.

“To be so humble is definitely a characteristic we were looking for when choosing today’s recipients,” she said.

Michelle Johnson with the American Red Cross talks about the importance of donating blood during the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce's Awards Luncheon on June 24. Currently blood supplies are very low, especially for types O positive and O negative, Johnson said.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Michelle Johnson with the American Red Cross talks about the importance of donating blood during the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce's Awards Luncheon on June 24. Currently blood supplies are very low, especially for types O positive and O negative, Johnson said.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

On June 24, the Chamber honored Paige Kimball as the 2021 Educator of the Year; Liz Higgerson, 2021 Volunteer of the Year; Toni Lynne Lawfield, 2021 Person of the Year; and the New Madrid Nursing Center, 2021 Business of the Year. The awards were presented during a noon luncheon.

Kimball was nominated by several members of the community for her tireless efforts on behalf of her students. McWaters said Kimball was praised for her teaching skills which make learning both fun and interesting.

“As the Beta Club sponsor, she is currently on her way to Orlando, Fla., with a group of kids who placed in the state competition and are now representing New Madrid County Central at the national level,” McWaters continued. “Paige Kimball would have loved to have been here, but, just as Educators of the Year do, she has put her students first.”

Accepting the award on Kimball’s behalf was her grandmother, Shirley Perry.

McWaters noted for the past four years, Higgerson has volunteered at the community’s food bank. She described Higgerson as selflessly dedicating her time to ensure the community’s food needs are met.

In accepting the award, Higgerson praised the 50-plus volunteers who join her at the food bank.

“I can not commend these volunteers too much for what they do,” she said.

Higgerson went on to thank those groups and individuals who make donations to the program. Also she thanked the city of New Madrid for its efforts on behalf of the food bank.

“I’m just one small cog in the wheel of a community effort,” Higgerson said.

According to McWaters, the Person of the Year honors an individual who does many amazing things for their community. She said not only does Lawfield work with the community’s youth on a daily basis providing a safe and fun environment for learning but also will help anyone in need.

Lawfield became teary-eyed as she expressed her appreciation for the award and for the family members and co-workers attending the presentation.

The pandemic of 2020 was difficult for all businesses, McWaters said.

“The New Madrid Living Center was tasked with caring for many of our loved ones during those trying times. They worked diligently to keep their residents safe and their families safe as well as their staff,” she said.

Kim Ivie, administrator at the center, said while there were many challenges brought on by the pandemic, the entire staff at the nursing center “stepped up to the plate, taking care of our most precious people in the world. They are my heroes.”

Prior to the awards presentation Michelle Johnson spoke to the crowd about her work with the American Red Cross’s biomedical services to recruit volunteers, educate and assist with the hosting of blood drives in the region.

Johnson urged the the public to donate blood. She pointed out currently only about 3 percent of Americans donate blood but 97 percent of the population will need blood or blood products at some point in their lifetime.

“Right now we are currently at an emergency level for our type O blood products,” she said. “We have less than half a day in the O positive and the O negative blood types.”

She emphasized donating is easy and each donation can save up to three people’s lives. Currently a blood drive is conducted about every two months in New Madrid. While an average of 20 pints of blood is collected at each drive, Johnson said she believed it could be better.

Also in the past New Madrid County Central High School has hosted a blood drive. Johnson noted with each blood donation, not only are lives saved but a scholarship is funded for a local senior by the Red Cross.

“We really do need help,” Johnson said. “We always need help with blood drives, hosting them, volunteering for them, getting the news out and of course, donating at them.”

To learn more about upcoming blood drives, the public can call 1-800-Red Cross or go to redcrossblood.org. Those wishing to volunteer can sign up at redcross.org.