JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder recently announced 25 winners of the Lieutenant Governor’s Senior Service Award, including Salome Taylor of Sedalia.

Lt. Governor Kinder presented the awards May 6 after a luncheon for the winners and their guests at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. Taylor was nominated by Missouri Rep. Nathan Beard of Sedalia.

Taylor has volunteered for the past 12 years at the Sedalia Public Library, helping to secure funds for an elevator, computer upgrades and library renovations, Kinder said.

“She also volunteers at the Community Café, serving free meals five nights per week, and with Community and Children Teaming Up for Success, the Ward Memorial Baptist Church, and Hope Ministries, a crisis pregnancy center,” Kinder added.

In his nomination, Rep. Beard said Taylor also volunteers annually on mission trips to Haiti, where she “lends her knowledge and kindness to the Haitian women who desperately need assistance with personal hygiene and parenting skills.”

Beard said Taylor, when asked about her service, often says, “I can always give a person a smile, and if I can help someone, my living will not be in vain.”

At the awards ceremony, held in the House Lounge at the Capitol, Lt. Governor Kinder presented Taylor with an official declaration and a Senior Service Award lapel pin. Kinder has given Senior Service Awards every year since he took office in 2005. More than 300 Missouri seniors have received the award.

“Although each of these volunteers has a different record of service, they all have one thing in common,” Kinder said. “All of these winners inspire the people in their sphere of influence. Each of you has had a positive impact, and your unselfishness has touched countless people in your communities.

“You have embodied the spirit of the ‘good and faithful servant’ taught by our Lord in the parable of the talents – using your energy and talents and devotion to make a difference in your communities. This award is one small way our state can join them in saying, ‘thank you!’”

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