This year’s 14th annual Neighborhood Organization Volunteer Awards (NOVA) event, broadcasted on Community Partnership of the Ozarks’ Facebook page and sponsored by Air Services Heating, Cooling and All Service Professional Plumbing, was obviously different than in years past due to COVID-19.
Despite the fact that we were not able to celebrate in person, we could not let the opportunity pass without marking this annual event in a meaningful way. The theme of this year’s NOVA event was “Silver Linings – Learning to Dance in the Rain.”
We chose this theme because we wanted to acknowledge the challenges that 2020 unexpectedly brought our way, while still being able to celebrate the resilience that it has created for us all. Even though storms come our way, it’s not about waiting for them to pass, it’s about learning how to dance through them.
The virtual NOVA event included a word from sponsor Air Services owner Rich Callahan, special keynote speaker Jeff Houghton, celebration of this year’s NOVA winners and announcement of the winners of the Bass Pro Cheering Challenge. Seventeen neighborhoods sent in NOVA nominations.
This year’s NOVA winners are:
Bissett Neighborhood Association
Chandra Palmer and Derek Palmer
Delaware Neighborhood Association
Nancy Williams
Galloway Village Neighborhood Association
Duane Johnson
Grant Beach Neighborhood Association
Doris Hunter and Samantha Hunter
Greater Parkcrest Neighborhood Association
Fred Romaine
Heart of the Westside Neighborhood Association
Deliverance Temple Ministries (Samuel Knox pictured)
Meador Park Neighborhood Association
Donna Clarkson
Midtown Neighborhood Association
Jaimie Saratella
Oak Grove Neighborhood Association
Cynthia McHaney
Phelps Grove Neighborhood Association
Eric Pauly
Rountree Neighborhood Association
Peggy Wise
Robberson Neighborhood Association
Betty Taylor
Tom Watkins Neighborhood Association
Denny Reeves
University Heights Neighborhood Association
Jan Peterson
Weller Neighborhood Association
Chuck McClancy
West Central Neighborhood Association
Jason Clough
Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association
Janetta Tracy
and
Westside Betterment Neighborhood Association
Lydia Austin.
Bass Pro Marathon Neighborhood Challenge Winners
Galloway Village took first place for the second year in a row and $1,500 in the competition, with their “love shack” theme. Woodland Heights and Delaware tied for second and took home $1,200 each for their “kicks on Route 66” and “”DeLaWayre Pyrates” themes.
Westside took third and $1,100 for their “Westside MASH” theme. Meador Park took fourth and $1,000 with a dance party theme.
University Heights, Robberson and Brentwood tied for fifth and each took home $800. University Heights’ theme was “CARBS FTW.” Robberson’s cheering section featured a workout theme and Brentwood’s was “The Tie-Dye Troupe.”
West Central, Oak Grove, Rountree and Greater Parkcrest tied for sixth and each took home $700. West Central’s theme was the “Brew Crew.” Rountree featured a “Recycled Halloween” theme and Greater Parkcrest had a “Down Home” theme. Oak Grove’s theme was “Old Golf Pros.”
A big thank you goes out this year to Brentwood and Robberson for being located at relay exchange points for the marathon and to sponsor Century Link. Bass Pro granted Brentwood and Robberson each an additional $200 for their help at the relay exchange areas.
“The Neighborhood Challenge this year was excellent, and even with all the challenges we faced this year, the runners had a terrific and exciting opportunity during marathon weekend, so thanks to all of you for making it so special for them” said Melissa Bondy, Bass Pro’s program director for community and corporate well-being.
The NOVA virtual award ceremony can be viewed on Community Partnership of the Ozarks’ Facebook page, on our YouTube channel CPOzarks and at SGFNeighborhoodNews.com.