Joe Kimray and Christmas Dinner Committee also awarded honors
It was a smaller crowd because of the pandemic, but the honors awarded Monday night during the 74th annual Community Christmas Dinner at The Forks Cafeteria were as heartfelt as ever.
Mayor Vivian Jones did the honors, reading the winning nomination in each category. The winners were selected by secret ballot of the members of the Wake Forest Community Council, which meets once a month at The Forks.
First was the 2021 Organization of the Year Award to the Community Christmas Dinner Committee which had to wrestle with the possibility of a virtual event a second year. “On one side is the health and safety of the many cherished, respected, older citizens in our community who have loved this even for decades and whose wellbeing should never be put at risk for any reason.
“On the other side, is the equally crucial need to preserve the unique character of the Town of Wake Forest. This beautiful, celebratory event has unified the community while ushering in the holiday season since the homecoming following World War II.” The committee itself was formed in 2011 “. . . when there was a proposal to change the traditional Christmas dinner into a generic holiday event which would have erased decades of meaningful tradition.
“This Committee knows that tradition is important and that events have the power to unite rather than divide.”
Next came the award for Citizen of the Year, Joe Kimray, an owner of B&W Hardware in downtown Wake Forest. “The young man who is Citizen of the Year this year has shown us how to manage through tough times.
“During the COVID pandemic he immediately realized that he had to change things in his business and he turned things around with new plans, new products and new ways to serve his customers and remained successful. As a result, he was able to continue his support of events and programs in the town through sponsorships and donations.
“He is always one of the first to step up when service is needed to provide for the community.
“He serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and on the Town of Wake Forest Planning Board and actually, this year, he has served as the chair of both of those organizations.”
Finally it was the turn for the Peggy Allen Lifetime Achievement Award, and Mayor Jones said, “These two people have spent the past 30 or more years working to help others in Wake Forest. “They always prefer to be behind the scenes and never want recognition or credit for what they do. They simply believe in giving and working from their heart to make things better for their friends, neighbors and our community.
“Their work includes working with the Wake Forest Fire Department, the Wake Forest Birthplace Society and Museum, the Wake Forest Jaycees, the Wake Forest Lions Club,
the Wake Forest Veterans Memorial Committee, Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, the Wake Forest 4th of July Committee, Community Christmas Dinner Committee, Trentini Foundation, SING, PTA’s, children’s sports leagues, Patriot Guard Riders, Hospice of Wake County. And these are just some of the organizations they have been involved with in their work in our community.
“This couple exemplifies the selfless commitment of serving others and they go about it in a humble, quiet way. They look for no reward other than the satisfaction of a job well done and knowing they lent a helping hand in some way—whether big or small.
“This special couple’s impact on our community is immeasurable and their role in making Wake Forest such a special place is as oversized as their hearts.”
And that is why Randy and Jill Bright were honored Monday night.
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