A local resident was honored Tuesday with The Jefferson Award in Washington, D.C., for her exceptional contributions to the Bowling Green community. Martha Haynes received the award primarily for her significant philanthropy to Bellewood Presbyterian Homes for Children, a local, nonprofit agency that serves abused, at-risk and homeless youth throughout Kentucky.

The Jefferson Awards, which began in 1972, are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The awards are presented on two levels: national and local. Bowling Green is one of approximately 90 communities in the U.S. that participate in the awards on a local level.

Haynes won the local Jefferson Award in April along with three other Warren County natives: Ret. Col. Robert Spiller, his wife, Cora Jane Spiller, and Hilda Sarver. Afterward, Haynes was nominated by the local board to be honored in the National Ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

As part of the three-day ceremony held this week, Haynes received her award and spoke before all the recipients and their guests about the services she performed that resulted in national recognition.

“My father always told me that wherever I went I should make sure it was a better place when I left, in part, because of what I’ve done,” Haynes said.

Labels: Bowling Green, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Award, Marth Hayes, national recognition, public services, South Central Kentucky