Freedom / Democrat Torch Awards

  From volunteering at Bothwell Regional Health Center to serving on many organizations’ boards, Betty Blackwell spends most of her time helping others.   Blackwell, 72, of Sedalia, is retired now, but that does not mean she...... Full story

  After being diagnosed with cancer more than a year ago, Max Coble has been forced to slow down, but the volunteer work he has done in Sedalia still has an impact on people. Donnie Ditzfeld, of Sedalia, nominated Coble for the Freedom Torch...... Full story

  Judy Haushahn has a passion for helping man’s best friend.   Haushahn, a finalist for the Freedom Torch Award for Community Service, started Seven Bells Sanctuary five years ago to help rescue dogs and place them in new...... Full story

  Her donations will provide places for students to study medicine and give people a place to enjoy fine performing arts, but Sue Heckart does not relish attention for her generous contributions to the community.   Heckart, owner of the...... Full story

  Service is about the little things for Mary McLaughlin.   The Sedalia resident, who is active in many organizations around town, said her philosophy is to do things that connect the pieces — or people — together.  ...... Full story

  She is the elf who helps give more than 1,000 children the kind of Christmas they’ve wished for, although her work is likely unknown to many.   Freedom Torch Award for Community Service finalist Carol McMillin, 63, coordinates...... Full story

  Despite splitting his time among the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Sunrise Optimist organization, charitable fundraisers, his family and work, Dennis Scholl remains committed to guiding local youth with a relaxed patience.   Scholl, a...... Full story

  Her quilts have likely brought much comfort to others when they needed it the most.    Betty Wells, 87, a finalist for the 2009 Freedom Torch Award for community service, has spent her life sewing and giving quilts to others....... Full story

Sixteen were nominated, and eight made the final cut. A selection committee of Sedalia Democrat associates has chosen the finalists for the 2009 Freedom Torch Award for community service.  The award honors a person who has exhibited...... Full story

Ron Ditzfeld knew he would receive the first Freedom Torch Award when he arrived at the ceremonies Friday. But yet another honor capped his evening. Sgt. Maj. Randall Woods, who leads Smith-Cotton High School's Junior Reserve Officer Training...... Full story

He can’t talk about himself without talking about his community. Maybe that’s because Ron Ditzfeld mirrors Sedalia. Ditzfeld, like his community, has faced challenges but managed to remain warm, friendly and compassionate. Ditzfeld, 59,...... Full story

Roger Garlich was on his way to Berlin, or so he thought, when he wound up taking a job with the Crippled Children’s Center. That changed his life, and has improved the lives of thousands of people with disabilities since. Garlich had...... Full story

Don Morton started as an ice cream dipper. Twenty years later, he is still a volunteer for the auxiliary of Bothwell Regional Health Center. Now he counts money for the hospital gift shop one day a week as well as gets the ice cream for the annual...... Full story

Teacher Barbara Rohr has touched the lives of hundreds of students in the past 12 years, but her reach extends far beyond the classroom. Rohr started the child care careers program at the Career and Technology Center at State Fair Community College...... Full story

Tim Mosier has worn a few caps in his life — cop, guardsman, storm chaser, author and nationally-recognized emergency director. And through them all, he’s served his home area of Sedalia and Pettis County. When longtime family friend...... Full story