Leaders Credit Union and WBBJ-TV hosted the Annual Jefferson Award Foundation luncheon for the 2018-2019 West Tennessee recipients at the Jackson Country Club, Wednesday.

According to a press release, Bobbie Borough of Sheltering Tree Ranch in Savannah was selected as the West Tennessee national nominee at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Awards celebration in Washington, D.C.

For the second year, Leaders Credit Union has partnered with WBBJ-TV to bring the Jefferson Award Foundation to the West Tennessee community. The Jefferson Award Foundation honors community champions who are “ordinary people doing extraordinary things without expectation of recognition.”

The awards are given at both national and local levels. Since May 2018, a new honoree has been selected each month locally. Recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by the Jefferson Awards Foundation committee members of West Tennessee. Our 2018-2019 West Tennessee winners include:

· Richard Swaim – Jackson

· Willie White – Jackson

· Danye Brooks – Jackson

· Paula Terry – Jackson

· Tiffany Purnell – Humboldt

· Don Hubbard – Jackson

· Janice Biggs – Lexington

· Elaine Christian – Jackson

· Karen Barbee – Michie

· Michelle Brewer – Paris

· Dan Brooks – Jackson

· Bobbie Borough – Savannah

Award recipients are volunteers and champions for numerous charities and causes across West Tennessee including veteran service, animal rescue, autism, senior citizen service, mentorships, community events, mental health services and beyond.

“We are honored to be a small part of bringing our community’s champions into the light for others to be inspired by, and model after,” said Todd Swims, President and CEO of Leaders Credit Union.

Bobbie Borough was selected as the West Tennessee national nominee for the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award representing the greatest possible service to a local community by a private citizen. Of the final 52 nominees from across the country, five will be selected. The national Jefferson Awards Foundation event will take place in May in Washington, D.C.

Borough acts as founder and director of Sheltering Tree Ranch, a facility that serves as a school and therapy center for special needs children and adults. Sheltering Tree Ranch currently serves 34 special needs students and has been in operation since 2006 and in its current location since 2015. The non-profit also welcomes adults with special needs and families of students for events throughout the year and including summer camps, weekend events, and sporting activities.

“The Jefferson Awards Foundation is very honored to partner with Leaders Credit Union and WBBJ-TV to bring the awards to the West Tennessee community and to celebrate the accomplishments and service of local neighbors,” said Margaret Nasta, Vice President of Media Partners for the Jefferson Awards. “We are excited for this year’s national nominee and look forward to celebrating Bobbie Borough when she arrives in Washington, D.C.”

(PHOTO: Regional winner Bobbie Borough receives Jefferson Award from Mark Brooks of WBBJ (left), and Todd Swims of Leaders Credit Union)