Nominees named for 2010 Pink Flamingo Award

Five local residents have been nominated for the 2010 Pink Flamingo Award.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri will bestow the award, which honors a person who has shown exceptional dedication and service to the community, at their 20th annual fundraising auction, An Evening of Heart and Hope. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Missouri Electric Cooperatives Building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

In previous years, the highest bidder at the auction got the opportunity to choose the winner of the Pink Flamingo Award. However, this year the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri opened up the nomination process and accepted nominations for the award.

The nominees’ names are on the club’s Web site at www.bgckids.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Boys-Girls-Clubs-of-West-Central-Missouri/190529020627 for voting. According to a club news release, the two nominees who receive the greatest Facebook and Web contributions are guaranteed to be one of the final 2010 Pink Flamingo Award candidates voted on the night of the auction. Additional candidates may be selected from all nominees based on popularity and will advance to the final competition. The candidate that receives the greatest amount of monetary donations the night of the auction will be deemed the Club’s 2010 Pink Flamingo Award winner.

The nominees for the 2010 Pink Flamingo Award are Pam Allan, Cara Canon, John “Jack” McIntosh, Mary McLaughlin and Elle Wasson.

Pam Allen, US Bank district manager for the Mid-Missouri region, was nominated by Bill Nicely, Kearney R-1 School District superintendent. Nicely said he nominated Allan because of her tireless efforts on behalf of children in the West-Central Missouri area where she uses her organization and management skills to make the greatest impact and she sets an example for others to follow.

“She (Allan) is a perfect example of the good each of us is capable of if we unselfishly apply ourselves,” Nicely said.

Canon, ProEnergy Services director of marketing, was nominated by Al Simon, ProEnergy vice-president of professional services. Simon said he nominated Canon because she has made it her passion to raise awareness for the needs of the community and she inspires those around her to give back by setting such an example.

“Because of Cara’s obvious commitment to the community, ProEnergy employees pooled together to donate funding for patio seating at the new cancer and cardiovascular wing at Bothwell Regional Health Center in honor of the Canons,” Simon said.

John “Jack” McIntosh, chief executive officer of Septagon Industries, was nominated by John Joy, Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s board member. Joy said he nominated McIntosh because he has promoted his community as a place to live, work and retire and has always put forth the effort to move the community forward.

“If something in Sedalia moves the community forward to a brighter future, you will see Jack involved,” Joy said.

“He does so as a leader or a follower without regard to how he will be enriched.”

McLaughlin, fourth-generation president of McLaughlin Brothers Furniture Store and Funeral Chapel, was nominated by Carla Childers, advertising account executive with The Sedalia Democrat. Childers said she nominated McLaughlin because of her inherent sixth sense to recognize the needs of others in the community and her work to find the best, most compassionate solution in every situation.

“Mary is the most humble, unassuming individual I have ever met,” Childers said. “Her unconditional giving spirit qualifies her for this honor.”

Wasson, executive director of the Sedalia-Pettis County United Way, was nominated by Connie Rehmer, Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s human resources specialist. Rehmer said she nominated Wasson because she is a humanitarian and serves as a wonderful mentor to others.

“Elle is a miracle worker,” Rehmer said. “Our community and many individuals have and still will be touched by Elle Wasson.”

Online voting at the club’s Web site and on Facebook will continue until Feb. 3.

“I am so pleased with the nominations we received,” Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Brett Barth-Fagan said. “They are all very deserving candidates and our community is a better place because of these amazing people.”

Tickets for an Evening of Heart and Hope are $25 if purchased before Feb. 3 or $35 at the door. Tickets may be purchased on the club’s Web site at www.bgckids.com or at the downtown Sedalia site at 314 South Washington Ave.

According to a club news release, the event attendees will have the opportunity to win a car, two Harley Davidson motorcycles or $50,000. Other prizes include a half-side of homegrown beef or an iPod Touch. Silent and live auction items include vacations, artwork and one-of-a-kind experiences.

A list of auction items is available at the club’s Web site.