Sharon Billingsley, the 2022 recipient of the Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year Award, smiles upon receiving a token of appreciation for her work in past years.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW — “Always remember who you are” was something Sybil Leamon believed was an integral part of life. An awards ceremony held Thursday in her honor recognized three Barren County women.
The ceremony, which bears her namesake – the Sybil Leamon Volunteer Awards – was held at WKU Glasgow. Katie Hawks, Nicole Randall and Sharon Billingsley were recognized.
Leamon was a vivacious and service-oriented community volunteer within Glasgow and Barren County.
“It didn’t matter what the activity was. It didn’t matter how large the activity was. It didn’t matter how small the activity was,” said Leamon’s daughter, Shari Wallace. “Show up. Be present. Be there. That’s what she instilled to us.”
Leamon was involved in Barren County’s Chamber of Commerce. Her granddaughter was in attendance Thursday and reflected on all the times she accompanied her grandmother to Chamber events. There was never a time Leamon didn’t embody a servant’s heart.
The Sybil Leamon Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Katie Hawks, who moved to Glasgow from Nebraska about 10 years ago. Just before she was recognized members of her family surprised her when they walked in to see the presentation.
“There’s so many more people more deserving. Sybil Leamon sounded like a wonderful woman, and I wish I would’ve met her,” Hawks said. “But it’s an inspiration to try to do as much as she did.”
The Board Member of the Year was given to Nicole Randall. Her family was present, too.
The Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Sharon Billingsley, who spends a great deal of time serving Mayfield Plaza’s residents each year. She raised over $1,000 for the project in 2021 and oversaw a project to provide over 150 bags of essential items to senior citizens.
“I’m just thankful the Lord gave me a heart for service, and I love that Mayfield Plaza project,” Billingsley said. “It’s just dear to my heart.”
Billingsley’s work was hailed as “consistent” over the last several years. She is also a past recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Barren, Inc. is the modified name for the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce. The entity underwent a rebranding process last summer. The group seeks to promote commerce and networking among those in Glasgow and Barren County.
A lunch club event is slated for March 3 at Colton’s Steakhouse and Grill from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber officials said quarterly lunches are planned this year.
