Sandra M. Ricker was the recipient Tuesday evening of the 2006 Blanche W. Grady Community Service Award, presented during a special dinner and ceremony at the General Morgan Inn.

This award has been presented each year since 1996 by the Laughlin Health Care Foundation to honor an “unsung hero” who has performed outstanding volunteer service for the community.

Ricker was nominated for the Grady Award based upon her longtime volunteer service in Greeneville and Greene County, especially in areas of veterans recognition, historic preservation and cancer care.

She was nominated for the Grady Award by Steve Alexander, who heads the local Veterans Service Office.

The award is named in honor of Blanche Grady, a retired educator from the Greeneville City Schools and a longtime volunteer with Laughlin Memorial Hospital.

The award was established in 1996 by Greeneville businessman and philanthropist Scott M. Niswonger and his mother, Sharon Niswonger, in honor of their friend, Mrs. Grady.

Each year, the Niswongers present a sizable contribution to the Laughlin Health Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Laughlin Hospital, in order for the annual Grady Award recipient to designate funds toward a health-care-related service or educational program.

“Our community is blessed with an abundance of individuals who make a tremendous, positive difference in the lives of so many every day,” said Niswonger, who served as the master of ceremonies for the occasion. “(These individuals) never seek accolades or public recognition. They are simply going about their business and helping others on a regular basis,” he said.

Niswonger continued, “This is one of the reasons why we established the Grady Award, to identify these very special individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty in helping others, and to recognize them for their good works.”

At the close of the banquet, Laughlin Hospital president and CEO Chuck Whitfield presented a plaque to Scott Niswonger and Sharon Niswonger in honor of the event’s 10th anniversary.

In remarks accompanying the presentation, Whitfield expressed deep appreciation to the Niswongers on behalf of both the hospital and the Laughlin Foundation itself.

Called ‘Most Deserving’

Ricker was announced as this year’s recipient by Barbara Lawson, who called her “one of those exceptional individuals who has given selflessly of herself and to the community for over 40 years.

“(She) is most deserving of being the recipient of the Blanche W. Grady Community Service Award,” Lawson continued.

She called Ricker a “champion to others,” who possesses “a volunteer spirit, accompanied by an infectious, positive attitude and a love of country.”

“She has given a voice to people who didn’t have a voice, especially our veterans.”

Among her varied activities, Ricker has worked diligently through the years to increase community awareness of the sacrifices made by the nation’s military veterans and to honor their service.

She was instrumental in the founding and dedication of a permanent marker to honor and memorialize Greene County veterans. The memorial is located along Snapps Ferry Road, near its intersection with the Andrew Johnson Highway.

That portion of the roadway has been designated as the “Veterans Memorial Parkway.”

Ricker also worked successfully to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Defense to have Greeneville recognized as a “Commemorative Community” for both the Korean War and World War II.

DAR, Church Roles

Not only does Ricker work to honor veterans, but also she strives to preserve the county’s historical legacies, Lawson said in her remarks before the presentation. In addition to having served with the Greene County Heritage Trust and Main Street: Greeneville, Ricker continues as an active member of the Nolachuckey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Since 1988, she has served in a variety of capacities with the local DAR chapter, inclushe has just completed a two-year term as the regent, the highest leadership position in a DAR chapter.

Ricker is also actively involved at Asbury United Methodist Church, where she has been a member and lay leader since 1953. Lawson cited numerous service and leadership roles Ricker had played at the church over the years.

‘Look Good, Feel Better’

Perhaps one of her most personally inspired volunteer positions, however, has been helping to bring to Greeneville a program that aids female cancer patients.

Following her own treatment for breast cancer five years ago, Lawson explained, Ricker helped to establish the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good, Feel Better” program at Laughlin Hospital.

This free service helps to educate women who are undergoing active cancer treatment concerning how they can enhance their appearance and improve their self-esteem through the use of beauty techniques.

In addition to “Look Good, Feel Better,” Ricker has also been involved in other cancer support programs, such as Laughlin Hospital’s, “Yes, Mam!” program, which encourages women to undergo regular screenings for breast cancer.

She also has helped fundraising events including “Horizon of Hope,” which supports breast cancer research, and the “Greene County Relay for Life,” which benefits the American Cancer Society.

“Sandra went through her surgery, treatments and recovery with a smile on her face and was a tremendous inspiration to those around her,” Lawson said. “She continued to work during her treatments, and, although in the midst of a very challenging time, she was making plans to help others.”

‘Honored, Very Surprised’

In accepting the award, Ricker said she was “honored and very surprised.”

Ricker said she was not alone in the projects that involved her.

“There were others who worked with me, and continue to work with me,” Ricker said.

“Volunteers are a special breed,” she added. “When a volunteer commits herself to something, she does so out of love and caring.”

Previous Recipients

Several previous Grady Award recipients were in attendance at the awards ceremony, including: Della Malone (1998), Terry Bellamy (1999), Tyre Culbertson (2000), Bruce St. Laurent (2001), Fannie R. Henderson (2002), Richard McKinney (who shared the award in 2004 with his son, Richie), and Frances Taylor and Barbara Barner (sisters and co-recipients in 2005.)

Two of the previous recipients have since died: Adelle Haynes (1997) and Ann Huntsman (2003).

Mrs. Grady was unable to attend because of health problems, Niswonger said, but he led the large crowd attending the dinner in singing “Happy Birthday to You!” to her by videotape.

Appreciation Expressed

Bellamy, newly appointed chairman of the Laughlin Health Care Foundation’s board of trustees, thanked many who make the community service awards possible, including the Laughlin Foundation and Laughlin Hospital’s board members, the hospital’s volunteer staff, and Scott Niswonger and his mother, Sharon Niswonger.

He also thanked Cecil Easterly, who served as the chairman of this year’s Grady Award banquet.

Bellamy also pointed out one of the premier programs that grew out of the Grady Awards, the annual dental and vision clinic that provides free care to needy individuals in the area.

He thanked local dentists and eye care professionals and their staffs who make this annual event possible.

He also recognized Remote Area Medical (RAM), a Knoxville-based, nonprofit organization that travels internationally to provide health-care services to those in need.