As the city's First Friday celebration makes its July appearance — the second since its post-pandemic return — it does so with a theme: Hometown Heroes.
According to a press release from Main Street Mount Vernon, Friday evening will highlight honorees selected by the Mount Vernon Strong campaign this year to recognize first responders, health care workers and others who have remained resilient over the past year.
“[Mount Vernon Strong] was a way to shine a light on those community members that truly went out of their way in 2020 to continue to progress Mount Vernon along, but also kept us safe during the pandemic,” said MSMV Director Anthony McNeal. “It was also used as a motivational campaign to push organizations in the county to the finish line with the pandemic.
McNeal said most of the 30 individuals designated as Hometown Heroes will be publicly recognized Friday night at the main stage located along the South Main Plaza at 7:15 p.m. (One or two may be unable to make it.)
Here’s a list of the individuals:
Chef Nav Ajodhya – Owner & Chef, Half Baked Café, Georgetown BBQ, Cindy’s Pierogis
Lori Amstutz – Owner, Williams Flower Shop
Nento Baawine – Owner, Eastend Nutrition Studio
Bob Boss – Regional President, Park National Bank
Chief Chad Christopher – Chief, Mount Vernon Fire Department
Cindy Cunningham – Partner, Kidwell & Cunningham
President Sean Decatur – President, Kenyon College
Brock Evans – Physical Education Teacher, Mount Vernon City School District
Taylor Gregory – Student Athlete, Mount Vernon Nazarene University Women’s Basketball
Lois Hanson – Owner, Paragraphs Bookstore
Lauren Heffelfinger – Preschool Director, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Chef Paul Higgins – Chef and Advisor, Mount Vernon Farmers Market
Dena Hess-Mckinstry – House Manager, Woodward Opera House
Tom Hinkle and Daren Tyson – City of Mount Vernon Streets and Parks Departments
Jordan Kandel – Facility Operations Supervisor, Knox County Career Center
Amber Keener – Mount Vernon City Council
Courtney Lower – HR Administrator, Knox County Job & Family Services
Mark Maxwell – Director, Knox County Emergency Management Agency
Renee McDaniel – Owner, McDaniel CPA
Captain Scott McKnight – Captain, MVPD
Julie Miller - Health Commissioner, Knox Public Health
Chief Robert Morgan – Chief of Police, MVPD
Staff and Residents of Mount Vernon Developmental Center
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Athletics Staff
Steve Oster – Director, Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Justin Sanford – Athletic Director, Mount Vernon City School District
Dr. Henry Spaulding – President, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mayor Matt Starr – Mayor, City of Mount Vernon
Laura Webster – Director of Operations, Knox County 9-1-1
Kimberly Weitkamp-Gum – Owner, The Makery
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