Published: November 20, 2009 09:08 am      

KCEOC celebration banquet set for Dec. 5

Special to Times-Tribune

It all started when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the 22 original Community Action Agencies were created. KCEOC Community Action Partnership was one of those original agencies, and has since been a warrior in the War on Poverty. On Saturday, Dec. 5 KCEOC will hold a 45th anniversary celebration banquet at the Corbin Center for Technology and Community Activities in Corbin. Social hour will be from 5-6 p.m. with dinner seating beginning at 6 p.m.

State Senate Robert Stivers, who has represented the 25th District since 1997 and is currently the Majority Floor Leader, will be the guest speaker.

As KCEOC celebrates 45 years of service, the organization will also acknowledge the personal dedication of two members of the KCEOC family with the Burchell Sizemore Above & Beyond Award. The award is to honor the memory of Sizemore, who was a community center specialist for 21 years and exemplified the spirit of community action through his devotion to KCEOC and the people it serves.

The awards are given to a staff member, board member or volunteer who has gone above and beyond to help people and change lives. This year’s recipients are Brendia Moses and Connie Sue Barnes.

Brendia Moses has been dedicated to KCEOC since enrolling her daughter in Head Start in August 1989. Brendia volunteers with the Agency tirelessly. She estimates she has dedicated more than 600 hours every year until 2000, when she started work at KCEOC as the public resource coordinator. Even as a full-time employee with three bachelor’s degrees, Brendia still manages to dedicate countless volunteer hours to KCEOC and many other agencies in the community. When addressing comments about her enthusiasm, Brendia says with a smile, “I just do what needs to be done-even if it means cleaning toilets.”

Connie Sue Barnes is currently serving as KCEOC’s board chair. Connie’s commitment to KCEOC started about 35 years ago when she enrolled her child in KCEOC’s Head Start Program. Connie says her high regard of KCEOC influenced her to become more involved. She says seeing her three children and several grandchildren attend KCEOC Head Start gave her a distinctive first-hand account of how KCEOC was improving lives.

Connie has since served KCEOC through various aspects and countless volunteer hours. She joined the KCEOC Board in 1999 and has been serving as board chair since 2000. Connie Sue Barnes has not only been a parent, a volunteer, and an employee to KCEOC; she is a true friend.

When asked about the motivation for her years of dedication, she says, “It’s all about results. I like to see things get done; KCEOC is a good organization doing wonderful things. I’m excited about our mission and I love being able to help.”

KCEOC has served thousands of residents with housing, education and job training, child care and education, heating assistance, and emergency services.