LHDC Board President Honored
On July 23, 2007, Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman honored longtime Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC) Board President, Joan Ritchie, English, IN, and other recipients of the inaugural Senior Spotlight Awards. The ten recipients were selected for their unique efforts to promote the health and well-being of Hoosier communities. Priority was given to those whose volunteerism focuses on their fellow senior citizens. Family and friends of the recipients joined the Lt. Governor at the Indiana Statehouse for the awards ceremony.
Lt. Gov. Skillman established the Senior Spotlight Award to acknowledge individuals who have provided years of extraordinary volunteer service, community-wide or individually-oriented. In her remarks, Lt. Gov. Skillman said that Indiana ’s greatest resource is its people, and the caliber of nominees was proof.
“All over Indiana , thousands of senior volunteers unselfishly give their time to serve their communities,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “The Senior Spotlight Awards provides a way to recognize and thank these dedicated individuals. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I congratulate the winners and thank them for all they do.”
Joan, who was nominated for the award by Gary Zellers, LHDC Deputy Director for Development and Human Resources, has been a vibrant and instrumental member of LHDC’s board of directors for over 30 years, serving as President for over 20 years. LHDC Executive Director, Larry K. Kleeman, said “Joan has been a tremendous leader, mentor, and champion for improving the quality of life not only in her home county of Crawford County, but for much of
greater Southern Indiana as well. This is a remarkable honor that Joan certainly deserves.”
State Senator, Richard Young, and State Representative, Dennie Oxley, each supported Ritchie’s nomination to the Lt. Governor. Young stated, “I have found her to be a tireless, dedicated worker and an asset to the residents of our community and Southern Indiana ”, and Oxley remarked, “I truly feel our community has been blessed by Mrs. Ritchie’s generous efforts.”
Joan, and her husband Gene, reside in rural English.