Mayor and publisher highlight the power of volunteering at the Difference Makers event

The 2024 Delta Dunklin Democrat Difference Makers banquet Thursday at the Kennett Opera House featured inspiring words from the newspaper's publisher and a keynote address by Kennett's mayor.

DDD Publisher Chris Pruett explained the event's origins and its importance to Dunklin County communities, while Kennett Mayor Jake Crafton heaped praise on the Rust Communications publication and the honored volunteers.

“Jeff (Dorris, DDD editor) and I started doing some brainstorming sessions about what things we could do for the community,” Pruett said. “Because number one, The DDD is a member of the community, and we feel it's important to shed light on things in the community.

“Unfortunately, from time to time there are bad things that happen,” he continued. “But we really want to focus on the good things, as well.”

To that end, Pruett instituted Difference Makers events at communities outside of Missouri.

“I started the Difference Makers program at three newspapers back in Indiana,” Pruett said. “The Rust family out of Cape Girardeau owned all the newspapers in this area.

“I brought Difference Makers to Poplar Bluff when I came to the area,” he continued. “I shared it with Jeff and his eyes grew as big around as these dinner plates because he thought 'What a great idea.'”

The publisher told those in attendance that it was incumbent upon the newspaper as a community member to recognize those who do good works, to advance those good works publicly and to raise funds to aid charitable organizations in the Difference Makers name.

“The really cool touch about tonight is we put our money where our mouth is,” Pruett explained. “Because not only do we want to shed light on our volunteers, we want also to help an organization every year.

“So, we're going to pick a different charity every year,” he continued. “This year it's Helping Hand. From what Jeff tells me it's a great organization. So, be thinking and sharing with Jeff who our next organization should be.”

Pruett noted Difference Makers are selfless people who often shy away from public displays of recognition and who many times prefer to remain anonymous.

“These folks who we're honoring tonight probably don't want to be here,” he said. “They'd rather be at home with their families and being behind the scenes.

“Because that's not who they are,” he added. “They give of their time and donate from the heart. Those are the types of people who give Kennett and Dunklin County their all and make it a great place to live.”

Crafton welcomed everyone, especially those who traveled many miles to attend and brought attention to the fact that many small towns lose their newspapers and therefore, their primary source of community news.

“I want to thank Mr. Chris Pruett and Jeff for keeping our paper going,” Crafton said. “A lot of f towns lose their newspapers.

“But to have a newspaper in our town is important,” the mayor continued. “I'm glad to see that tradition that serves as a news outlet for our local residents. I really do appreciate that, and I want to thank Chris for being here and getting this event going.”

Crafton said Difference Makers transform lives of people in need, and those efforts strengthen the area.

“Volunteering is the practice of giving not just time and energy,” Crafton said. “But giving care, attention and support to those who need it the most.

“Whether it's an hour or a lifetime, volunteering creates a ripple effect that radiates far beyond individual acts,” the mayor added. “It creates lasting change in places we often don't realize.”

And time is a precious commodity, the mayor emphasized.

“Unlike other more common, or even rare commodities, we cannot buy more time in our lives,” he said. “Many people prefer to spend time alone.”

However, others, like Difference Makers, are called to service by sparks within themselves that inspire them to be part of something bigger in order to impact society positively.

“Maybe it's at church sponsoring a Christmas party,” he said. “Or tutoring a child that struggles in school.

“Or simply picking up trash on the streets,” the mayor continued. “In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become isolated. Volunteering reminds us that we're all connected.”

Crafton said Difference Makers notice issues in communities and strive to address them without encouragement or direction in order to build a better place for everyone's enjoyment and enrichment.

“Volunteering isn't just something we do for others,” the mayor noted. “It's something we do for ourselves and for our communities.

“It's about recognizing that everybody, no matter how big or how small, each of us has something valuable to offer,” Crafton continued. “Together, we can build a stronger, better, more resilient community for everyone.”

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