FORNEY, Texas — The Forney Chamber of Commerce named the 2016 Citizen of the Year award and the Helping Hands award at their annual chamber banquet on Thursday, March 2, 2017.
FORNEY, Texas — The Forney Chamber of Commerce named the 2016 Citizen of the Year award and the Helping Hands award at their annual chamber banquet on Thursday, March 2, 2017.
“The Helping Hands award is presented to a compassionate individual, or individuals, who dedicate their time and efforts for the benefit of others,” stated Forney Chamber of Commerce Board Director Mary Elsbecker in awarding Forney Independent School District Fine Arts Director Mario Luna with the 2016 Helping Hands award.
“[Luna’s] efforts allow individuals to witness and experience the incredible artistic talents of our Forney children, not only in Forney, but in all of North Texas, across the state, and even nationwide,” she said.
Luna previously served as an assistant band director at Forney High School, currently serves as a co-chair on the Forney Arts Council, and serves and volunteers in many capacities including community events and concerts and coordination of the performances at chamber events.
Forney Fire Department Chief Rick Townsend posthumously named long-time firefighter and Forney Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Barkham as 2016 Citizen of the Year.
Barkham was one month shy of serving the Forney Fire Department for 30 years. Barkham served a majority of that time in various officer and leadership positions and most recently as the volunteer fire department’s assistant chief— the department’s highest position.
“Jamie had a big heart and was always willing to help anyone willing to help themselves,” Townsend said. “He would mentor young men and women who expressed a desire to become firefighters and EMTs.”
“Jamie had a unique way of comforting those in their times of need and will always be remembered for his contagious smile and never leaving the room without saying that he loved you,” said Townsend.
Throughout his many years of service, Barkham had received several awards — most recently, and among many, received the Life Saving Award in 2016, a CareFlite recognition letter for an extended extrication incident in 2015, and a certificate of excellence in 2013 from then-Senator Bob Duell for standing vigil for the firefighters killed in an explosion in West, Texas.
“I would just like to say thank you to anyone and everyone that had something to do with my dad getting this award,” Barkham’s son, Brent, stated. “I know he’d be very proud.”
