On Wednesday night, pastor Len Browning delivered perhaps his shortest sermon ever after being presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award at the annual State of the Community dinner hosted by the Craig Chamber of Commerce.

During his remarks, Browning referenced a Bible verse: “Jesus said, ‘Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'”

Browning said that, broadly taken, the idea refers to how “we lay down our lives in the way we live, love and serve our community … and I love Moffat County.”

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As he accepted the award, Browning also joked that he realized too late that he was “set up” for the nomination by Love Inc. Executive Director and daughter-in-law Karina Browning.

According to Len, he thought Karina was gathering information about his community service as part of a grant application for Love Inc., rather compiling his nomination packet. In her speech introducing Len, Karina said she had the honor of nominating him “for his tireless effort and outstanding leadership in the community.”

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Len serves on the Craig Ministerial Alliance board, the Chaplains Corps board and the Love Inc. of the Yampa Valley board. He’s also member of the Rotary Club and Crime Stoppers of Craig.

“In his capacity as chaplain, he has provided spiritual care for individuals in their darkest times,” Karina said of the pastor who has ministered in jails and prisons as well as to members of the military, police officers and firefighters.

“He provides encouragement, comfort and hope to our community,” she said.

As a Rotarian, Len is heavily involved in efforts to promote literacy in local schools, and he has played a pivotal role in setting up American flags along Victory Way every year. Len has been a member of the Love Inc. board for over 20 years.

In addition to his other work, Len delivers furniture to those in need and stocks and distributes emergency food throughout the community.

“He takes time for the community no matter what the need is,” Karina said.

Karina added that Len is not only deserving of the award, but has earned “the respect and gratitude of those he serves.”

Following the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Award, the spotlight fell on another community volunteer, as MCHS Key Club Sponsor Cassia McDiffett introduced the 2023-24 Youth Volunteer of the Year: MCHS student and Key Club President Megan Neton.

McDiffett said she’s “literally known Megan her whole life” but focused on Neton’s accomplishments over the last four years as a member of the Key Club. Neton has volunteered a documented 193 hours, according to McDiffett, who added that she “believes there’s more hours that (Neton) has volunteered, but he just doesn’t take the time to write them down.”

McDiffett also recounted a story about one of Neton’s notable volunteering achievements.

“It’s not her biggest accomplishment, nor is it the one she’s most passionate about, “McDiffett said, “but it was creative and subtle and just Megan.”

McDiffett said that during Key Club Week in early December, the club officers were brainstorming ideas for Random Acts of Kindness Day, and Neton came up with the idea of collecting change from the student body after lunch.

The club was able to collect more than $65 in one day, which the club has since been periodically dropping off at a local laundromat for anyone who might find themselves short on change for a wash or dry.

While accepting her award, Neton first expressed her heartfelt gratitude to McDiffett, former Moffat County United Way head Heather Fross and United Way of the Yampa Valley’s Moffat County Community Impact Manager Marco Borja for “their guidance and mentorship” during her time as a member of Key Club and Youth United Way.

Neton also acknowledged Randy Looper and the local Rotarians for giving her the opportunity to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, an experience that, she said, “motivated her to give back even more.”

Neton detailed her volunteer work at Rotary Youth Leadership Camp, calling the experience “a testament to the transformative power of such programs,” and she offered her appreciation to everyone in the community who has given student volunteers like her a chance to make a positive impact.

However, Neton reserved her “deepest gratitude” for her parents, as she recalled their commitment to Mother Teresa’s words: “Give your hands to serve and your heart to love.”

“You’ve both been my greatest inspiration to contribute meaningfully to our community,” she said as she looked over in their direction and said that their teachings will continue to guide her throughout her life.

Also during the State of the Community event, Kirstie McPherson, president of Craig Chamber of Commerce board, presented the award for Best Customer Service.

McPherson said that the three nominees — Mountain Man Taxidermy, Moffat Mercantile and Maple Blues Coffee — “consistently go above and beyond serving their customers.” The award then went to Moffat Mercantile.

McPherson called the winning business “a cornerstone of exceptional customer service elevating the downtown business community with the friendliest faces and most knowledgeable staff.”

Chamber Assistant Director Brittany Jennings presented the Changemaker Award, sharing that she “believes that every one of us is a change maker in our own way.”

The nominees included Rebekah Greenwood, executive director of the Senior Social Center of Craig; Mackenzie Dickson, Moffat County youth coordinator for Partners for Youth and the Moffat County Youth Action Council; and Moffat County Proud team members Lance Scranton, Kip Hafey and Shane Hadley. The year’s Changemaker Award went to Greenwood.

Jennings praised Greenwood as “a tireless advocate for (Craig’s) senior citizens, whose initiatives have enhanced the lives of elderly community members and fostered a sense of inclusion and belonging.”

When accepting her award, Greenwood expressed her enthusiasm for “connections and collaborations” among Craig’s organizations and nonprofits.

Chamber Membership Coordinator Lauren Hilley presented the nominees for the Business of the Year Award, including Axis Steel, Good Vibes River Gear and Yampa Valley Fiberworks, before naming Yampa Valley Fiberworks as the winner.

Hilley said Yampa Valley Fiberworks “has woven a tapestry of success in our community. Their dedication to preserving craftsmanship and fostering a love for fiber arts has not only enriched our cultural landscape but has also provided a community for all artisans, becoming a hub of creativity, skill development and connection.”

Near the end of the night, Chamber board member Sasha Nelson presented the Chamber’s Special Recognition Award to Advocates Crisis Trauma Support Services, or ACTS, formerly known as Open Hearts Advocates.

Nelson called the group “a lifeline for those in need” in the community that is “illuminating the path to healing” for its most vulnerable members.

ACTS head Jamie Fraipont-Daszkiewicz spoke of the group’s recent progress and hopes for the future of the community, sharing that through “endless” work and collaboration with Craig Chief of Police Michael Cochran, Moffat County Sheriff KC Hume and Undersheriff Chip McIntyre over the last two-and-a-half years, ACTS has been able to provide advocacy services to 80% of the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and crime in Moffat County, significantly outpacing the national average of 18%.

“We are grateful for the opportunity we have to serve this community,” she said.