Braswell awarded Farm-City Humanitarian Award

Yesterday, at our Farm-City Breakfast, we awarded the Farm-City Humanitarian Award. The award is given annually to an outstanding leader whose life of service improves the well-being of citizens and businesses throughout Owensboro and Daviess County.

This year, the award winner was Virginia Braswell. Virginia’s contributions to the people in our community have been remarkable and heartfelt. In 1988, when her youngest child was in high school, Virginia was full of energy and eager to find a fulfilling role in the community where she could make a difference. She reached out to Mayor Dave Adkisson for suggestions. Mayor Adkisson suggested she look at forming a Habitat Chapter.

Virginia set out immediately to begin gathering community support and rallying volunteers. It took a year to build that first house in Owensboro. This year, Habitat will have built its 125th home in Owensboro.

Consider the depth of what home ownership does for a family — home is a safe haven. It is shelter from the elements as well as the outside world. It is a space to make memories, to celebrate birthdays and holidays, to tend to the sick, to welcome new family members, and to say goodbye to others. Many of us have always had a house to call a home; so it is difficult to understand the overwhelming joy and security that Habitat families feel.

If you have ever had the pleasure of being around Virginia, you understand that it is impossible to resist her invitation to serve. She shines. She inspires others to strive to be better people. Her husband, Gary, has been the wind in her sails and has supported her all along the way. He too is a servant leader and a tremendous force in his gracious manner.

Virginia never mentions this — and she would probably prefer it not to appear in print — but she has worked these 23 years without pay.

Virginia Braswell, you inspire us. You challenge us to dig deeper to serve others. You prove that one person can truly make a difference. And look at the difference you have made.

By Candance Brake President and CEO Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce