Foundation director Marci Penner said, "It's another who's who list of people making special contributions around Kansas." Presented at the Kansas Sampler Festival for many years, the awards are now given in surprise fashion, often with a flash-mob of local supporters in attendance.
The recipients for 2018 are: Heidi Plumb and Kale Dankenbring, St. Francis (Breath of fresh air); Mandy & B Fincham, Beloit (Giving Beloit a cool factor); Shaley George, Concordia (Sharing stories with heart); Kelli Hilliard, Topeka (Tourism friend to all of Kansas); Kelly Larson, Lincoln (Passion for "building"); Lori Lennen, Coolidge (Putting Coolidge on the map); Luciano & Nancy Mottola, Mulvane (Providing great taste and class); Jeanne Fisher-Roberts, Plains (Plain(s) Awesome); Jenny Russell, Courtland (Passionate rural-by-choice doer); Rosslyn Schultz, Lucas (Sharing art in extraordinary fashion); Jim Stukey, Burlington (Painting the town).
Penner
said, "I can't imagine Kansas without these people. They each add such a spark to their community or through their statewide efforts."
The awards plates are made by Elk Falls Pottery. To see a list of all We Kan! award winners go to kansassampler.org.
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