PARSONS, Kan. — SKIL Resource Center held its 2020 annual holiday meeting online via Zoom December 4 due to Coronavirus concerns, President/CEO Shari Coatney said. SKIL is a local independent living center. The annual meeting was hosted by Coatney and SKIL’s board of directors.

Popular entertainer Duke Mason performed, singing several Christmastime favorites.

The organization’s board of directors was introduced. SKIL is run by a seven-member volunteer board, all who have some type of disability. Current board members are: Susan Moffitt-Roberson, Chair; David Wooten, husband of SKIL co-founder Marty Wooten, Secretary/Treasurer; Olivia Lyons, Vice Chair; Stephen Busby, William Busby, Brian Durkin and Nancy Varner, board members. All board members serve a three-year renewable term.

Every year, SKIL honors people with special plaque awards. SKIL awards for 2020 went to: Spirit of Independence award, Kathy Walker; the Believe to Achieve award, Joe Reinecker; the Proving by Doing award, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; the Voice to Change award, Community Mission for Housing; the Above and Beyond award, Christy House; and the Advocacy award, Skip Smith.

Gilbert Haynes and Gene Huston were chosen on behalf of Neighbors Helping Neighbors to accept the Proving by Doing award. Renita Butler and Dean Hines were chosen on behalf of the Community Mission for Improved Housing to accept the Voice to Change award.

“These awards honor outstanding leadership in our area community,” Coatney said. “We appreciate the exceptional efforts these folks have made. We are deeply grateful to our board of directors for their tireless work to help improve the lives of people with disabilities, and we continue to appreciate the ongoing support of the community as we carry on our mission. We hope next year to be able to return to holding our annual holiday meeting and dinner at the Parsons VFW and wish everyone a joyous holiday season.”