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Read the original release from the Mountain States Foundation.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Mountain States Foundation has announced Clarinda Jeanes will be the recipient of the 2016 Spirit Award.
The honor is given each year to a person who has passion for his or her community, is recognized as a leader in the region, is highly respected among peers and has demonstrated support for Mountain States Health Alliance’s mission while giving unselfishly of his or her time and talents.
“Clarinda has been an invaluable part of Mountain States Foundation for over 15 years,” said Pat Holtsclaw, president, Mountain States Foundation. “From serving on the board, to chairing major fundraising campaigns, to working behind the scenes to help patients on an individual basis, Clarinda embodies everything the Spirit Award is about. Clarinda leads with kindness, a spirit of humility, and a heart for service. She is selfless in her giving, and her grace and determination inspires others to give to the community, too.”
Jeanes will receive the award on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Mountain States Foundation’s Spirit Gala held at The Millennium Centre starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for the black-tie gala, and all proceeds benefit Niswonger Children’s Hospital.
Jeanes has served on the Mountain States Foundation Board of Trustees for more than 15 years in various capacities, including a very successful term as board chair. She was a key figure in the $25 million capital campaign to build Niswonger Children’s Hospital, and chaired the $5 million fundraising campaign for Mountain States’ Radiation Oncology Services.
“Clarinda gives with no thought of receiving anything in return and always does it with a spirit of making our community the best possible place for a child to live,” said Alan Levine, Mountain States President and CEO. “She has been an integral part of so many efforts on behalf of Niswonger Children’s Hospital and the families we serve, and we are forever grateful for her energy, her passion, and her selfless dedication to others.”
In addition to her volunteer work with Mountain States Foundation, she is a supporter of her church and of Milligan College. Her late husband, Donald Jeanes, was a minister and president of Milligan. He was also a longtime member of the Mountain States Health Alliance Board of Directors, having served as chair of the board.
After Don passed away unexpectedly in 2012, Clarinda has continued to serve the community with love, compassion and dedication. She and Don are the only husband/wife team to win the Spirit Award. Don received the honor in 2011.
Jeanes is the recipient of the Fide et Amore, Milligan College’s highest award, in recognition of her loving and faithful service to the college, as well as Milligan’s Leaders in Christian Service Award. She has served on the Coalition for Kids board, along with the countless outreach and service ministries she participates in at First Christian Church.
She was also named as the recipient of the YWCA Tribute to Women in the Volunteer Community Services category, honoring women from the region who have made a significant contribution through their dedication and giving.
The theme for this year’s Spirit Gala is “Out of Africa.” Tickets are available for $225 each. The event will include the award presentation as well as dinner, cocktails, music by Endless Summer, a live auction and the drawing for and announcement of the winner of the Spirit Gala Raffle.
The winner gets a choice of one of three new cars from Champion Chevrolet Cadillac of Johnson City.
An “After-Party” will begin at 9 p.m., immediately following the gala, and will offer a live band, dancing and a safari theme.
To RSVP, call the Foundation at 423-302-3131. For more information about Mountain States Foundation, visit www.mshafoundation.org.