Colene Read, who was nominated by Austin Lee, received the 2021 Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award. Colene serves as director of Derby Community Family Services. In 2021 she coordinated the annual food drive to benefit the Derby Food Pantry the same week as coordinating the Super Bowl of Caring. In addition to her work with Derby Community Family Services, Read is well known in the community for other efforts, including: serving on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and the Derby Community Foundation;
volunteering with her therapy dog, Molly, at local nursing homes; being actively involved with Derby Circles, a program to help people bridge out of poverty; and, spearheading with her husband, Gary, the campaign that brought Rock River Rapids into the community.
“I once heard it said, that if something is good for Derby, you can bet that Colene is out there supporting it,” commented Theresa Hearn, DCF Executive Director, during the award presentation.
In addition to the DRC gift basket, Read was given the opportunity to award a $500 grant to the charity of her choice and she selected Derby Community Family Services to receive the grant.
She also joins the selection committee for the award which is comprised of past recipients:
Carol Keller
Becky Robinson
Dave Peebler
Ben Ray
Brody Landers
Kyle Russell (on behalf of Citizens Bank of Kansas)
Ken Lyerla
Jean Garinger
The other nominees for the 2021 award were Derby Senior Center Community Quilters, nominated by BreAnna Monk, and represented by Jane Matney and Kay Depriest; and the CJ Seitz Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, nominated by Rob McDonald, and represented by Frank Seitz, Caryn Hendry, Chris Drum, and Lee Noel.