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Tuesday, February 24, 2009 10:30 PM CST
OUR VIEW: Two honorees contribute in different ways
By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com
Individuals can have a big impact on their communities.
When individual residents get involved in community projects and activities, they can help make a positive impact.
They do it, not for recognition, but to improve the quality of life in their community or to provide better opportunities for others.
It is in that spirit of community improvement that Dr. Don Freesmeier was presented the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and Sheryl Snyder was presented the Charleston Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
The awards were presented to two outstanding individuals who were recognized for different reasons: Freesmeier for his volunteer time to several programs and Snyder for her leadership in developing an important community asset, the public library.
Freesmeier received his award Saturday at the Mattoon chamber’s annual dinner.
Snyder was honored in late January at the Charleston chamber’s annual dinner.
Freesmeier played a major role in the launching of youth soccer in Mattoon at a time when not many people in East Central Illinois were playing soccer.
Freesmeier said working with youth soccer not only provided recreation and athletic opportunities for hundreds of Mattoon boys and girls but also benefited him.
He claimed it was “how I met a lot of people.”
Freesmeier also has been active on the Mattoon tourism advisory board and, according to city Commissioner Randy Ervin, has been an advocate for Mattoon’s midtown redevelopment.
Snyder, the Charleston Carnegie Public Library director, has worked to expand the community library in her more than 30 years there.
Her leadership resulted in a $7-million expansion and renovation of the historic library.
Eric Huddlestun, president of the library board, said: “There’s no question in any of our hearts who has been the driving force to make this happen.”
The result was the 20,000-square-foot addition and renovation of the existing library. To help with fundraising, Snyder established Friends of the Carnegie Public Library.
Snyder said she considers her time at the library and work on the expansion as part of her “home schooling.”
“I would like to thank all of those who have become my teachers,” she said.
Snyder noted that about three-quarters of library district voters approved the 2005 referendum in favor of the library project. “That’s true support,” she said.
Since the addition opened a year ago, circulation has increased by about 2,000 per month, said Snyder.
In addition, the new facility’s meeting rooms have been used for more than 250 occasions.
The awards presented by the two chambers are significant honors.
To be singled out as the “year’s best” in either community is a noteworthy achievement.
Congratulations to Don Freesmeier and to Sheryl Snyder for contributing to the betterment of your communities.
— JG/T-C Editorial Board
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