MOUNT VERNON—Thunder and lightning canceled most of the August First Friday event, but not before Mayor Matt Starr honored Janis Stone and Kevin Mishey as the city’s 2024 Volunteers of the Year.
Starr noted that the decision to volunteer is very personal.
“This year’s honorees give of their time, talent, and treasures in very special and many ways,” he said, adding that the community thrives because of their extraordinary effort and commitment.
Starr referenced a quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead, who once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
“I know these individuals do not get involved and put so much effort into serving the community as volunteers for the recognition,” Starr said.
“However, this is something we like to do to show appreciation from the community for our value system. We take care of our community, and we try to make our world a better place. That is something that we all can celebrate together. These are huge victories that define our culture.”
Kevin Mishey
•Advisory board member of The Salvation Army for roughly 25 years. Chair of the maintenance committee. Also serves on the Capital Campaign Committee as well as the Christmas Kettle committee.
•Chair of Flapper’s Bike Night for The Salvation Army’s Christmas effort committee
•Assists youth guitar lesson program by doing minor repairs on guitars
•Involved with special music at Faith Lutheran Church and was a delegate to the Synod meeting for the ELCA meeting this year
•Sponsors monthly “jam at Flapper’s Bar and Grille” offering local musicians an opportunity to showcase their talents
•Regular performer at Praisestock
•Leads a music program at Danbury Senior Living, The Living Center, and The Station Break (fundraiser)
•Serves on the Front Porch Concert committee and helps plan and execute concerts
Janis Stone
•Worked at Uhlmans downtown
•Got involved in theater at church, then in local theater through her daughter and son-in-law
•Founding board member for MTVarts (19 years)
•Self-titled “control freak”
•Brings a business mind to the arts – always finds ways to make art pay for itself while offering the community memorable experiences
•Committed to revitalizing Mount Vernon’s downtown by shining a light on the arts and giving people a reason to spend their time here
•Dinner theater
•Broadway musicals
•Classic Series based on American Literature
•Arts IQ and youth performances
•Raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund the performing arts in Mount Vernon and shines a light on the city through her commitment and smile
