BELLE — Local volunteers from Belle and Vienna were among those recognized Oct. 29 during the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s annual dinner at Bear River Ranch in Phelps County.

Approximately 200 people attended the event, which honors volunteers, local leaders and organizations for their contributions to communities throughout the eight-county Meramec Region.

Barbara Howarth of Belle and Ken and Barb Singleton of Holts Summit, formerly of Vienna, received community service recognition. Howarth was nominated by MRPC board member and Belle Alderman Steve Vogt, while Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman nominated the Singletons.

Youth honorees included Saige Garner of Belle, nominated by Vogt, and Ella Hollis of Vienna, nominated by Stratman.

“We are successful because of our volunteers,” said MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge. “We hope that by recognizing a few leaders and volunteers, we can inspire others to volunteer their time and invest in their communities.”

Ed Carmack of Salem received the Eugene E. Northern Award, MRPC’s highest honor for volunteerism and community service.

Other community honorees were Crawford County Sheriff Darin Layman, retired Bourbon City Clerk Cathy Bremer, Stevie Kearse of Rolla, John Lucas of Caledonia and Nadine Albrecht of Waynesville. The Dent County Historical Society and Love Thy Neighbor–Dent County also received recognition.

Additional youth awards went to Maggie Kloeppel of Westphalia, Ella Grace Sims of Caledonia and Reece Wilson of Waynesville.

The evening included a reception sponsored by The Maries County Bank and Allstate Consultants, a silent auction featuring donations from area businesses and dinner catered by Bear River Ranch. Sherry Stites, Shelter Insurance and Stites Insurance Agency LLC of Rolla sponsored a 50/50 raffle. Stites won the raffle and donated her winnings back to MRPC.

MRPC also recognized employees for service milestones, including Teresa Murdie for 45 years and Prigge for 35 years. Tammy Snodgrass, assistant director and environmental programs manager, was honored for 34 years as she prepares to retire in December. Orin Pogue, senior community development specialist, was named employee of the year.

Founded in 1969, MRPC serves Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their cities, providing assistance with grants, housing, transportation, environmental planning and business loans.