The general membership of the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort is being called upon to decide this year’s recipient of CARE’s Living Legends award.
Voting in person at the Charleston Arts Center (CAC) begins Friday, June 1, and ends on Friday, June 15. Voting will take place during CARE’s normal office hours of 9 a.m. until noon and 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The organization will present the award to one individual who has made a difference in the Charleston community.
Recently, nominations were sought from the general public and the names of six nominees were submitted to CARE officials: Bill Cossar, Isabelle Hays, Mary Micou, Jane Roberson, Fonda Workman and Joe Young.
While anyone in the community could nominate someone for the award, selection of the 2018 recipient will be decided by a vote of CARE members only.
Anyone may join CARE to participate in the selection process. Annual membership is available for $20 for individuals and $40 for a family. To join, visit the CAC on Court Square or call 647-0942 for more information.
This year’s Living Legends award will be presented during a public ceremony at the CAC.
Submitted biographical sketches of this year’s Living Legend nominees are as follow:
» Throughout his career, Bill Cossar received numerous awards and was widely known for his leadership and service to the American Red Cross. In addition, he served on numerous public policy boards, including service as member, vice chairman and chairman of the State Personnel Board and vice president of Keep Mississippi Beautiful.
Cossar spent 41 years working with Entergy Mississippi. When the ice storm of 1994 hit northwest Mississippi, he made sure Charleston received special assistance to restore electricity. Now retired, he serves as District 1 commissioner for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and he successfully lobbied to extend duck hunting season, adding much needed revenue to local businesses.
In 2010, Cossar made a substantial donation to the University of Mississippi to establish the Bill Cossar Ole Miss First Scholarship that supports students from Tallahatchie County.
» Isabelle Hays is an active member of Charleston First United Methodist Church, where she has assisted with Bible school and served on various committees.
She has been involved with CARE almost since its beginning, serving as a board member and officer, and serving as treasurer for the Gateway to the Delta Festival. Hays also is a member of CARE’s Beautification Committee, which keeps Charleston’s courthouse lawn, flower beds and planters around the square looking beautiful.
Not long ago, she was nominated and became a recipient of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes and thanks those who, by demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
» For many years, Mary Micou worked as an educator in the East Tallahatchie School District., once earning STAR Teacher of the Year.
After years of teaching, considering retirement, she decided to stay a while longer because she felt that a positive role model for young ladies was greatly needed in the school at the time. When she finally retired, she continued to serve others through her church, through CARE, and through the Faith Food Pantry. She loves to help those in need, whether in the community or abroad.
Micou is currently a board member with the American Cancer Society of Tallahatchie County and is involved with the American Red Cross and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is also a supporter of World Vision, sponsoring a child for a number of years. Most importantly, she loves God and people.
» As a former CARE board member and volunteer, Jane Roberson has worked tirelessly on many projects.
As a master gardener, she has been an integral part of CARE’s Beautification Committee, working to keep the Charleston Court Square looking beautiful.
As an artist and art teacher, she has worked with CARE's after-school art programs and summer art camps, sometimes donating her time and talent.
Roberson was one of four artists working under Cristen Craven Barnard and with young students to design and paint the three murals hanging outside the Charleston Arts Center. Being recognized for her volunteer efforts, Roberson was nominated and became a recipient of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi President’s Service Award.
» After living away from her hometown for many years, Fonda Workman returned in retirement.
She could have simply enjoyed life with her husband, but she busied herself in many ways, serving others through CARE and other activities.
Workman is active in regular service at Faith Food Pantry, as well as in her church. She worked for many years as a Reach to Recovery volunteer. She also worked with CHARPS, an organization that promotes cancer awareness, and went on to work with the American Cancer Society.
She is a two-time recipient of Tallahatchie General Hospital’s “Auxilian of the Year” award, presented in Jackson.
Workman has a love for animals and helping others.
» Joe Young has been in Tallahatchie County for almost 45 years, serving as a teacher, a pastor and an advocate for the poor and disadvantaged.
Through his work to establish a food pantry for Charleston and the west side of the county, citizens not only have a few meals to get them through the month, they are also fed God’s word.
Young has been instrumental in starting over 30 church congregations around the world, mostly in Mississippi and Mexico.
As he worked across the Western Hemisphere, he often wanted to someday help Tallahatchie County. He has tried to do that in retirement by the organization of several food pantries here, as well as writing grant requests to help children from needy families with school supplies and distributing such items as backpacks, Christmas gifts, and necessities after disasters.
One of Young’s life verses has been, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,” from Ecclesiastes 9:10.
