Community Action Agency celebrates Sanderson's 44 years of service

Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Marye Sanderson, left, tells some of her highlights about her job to Joyce Carr, middle, and Judy Brock, right. Sanderson and the West Cenral Missouri Community Action Agency celebrated 44-years together on Tuesday. Noah Jones/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

After 44-years at West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, Marye Sanderson said she has many fond memories.

The agency held a surprise anniversary party for Sanderson, Tuesday with cake, punch and most importantly, friends.

Most of her happiest memories, Sanderson said, involve making friends with her staff, volunteers and those who come into the agency for help.

"I have so many memories, I have made so many friends, and I have been here for so long West Central is part of my family. It's hard to point to one memory."

Sanderson's energy is infectious. Her energy for her project gives volunteers in the community reasons to come back over and over again, said Judy Brock, who served under Sanderson for eight years and has been a part of West Central Community Action Agency for 39-years.

"She's been into every project she starts," Brock said. "Her passion for this agency has grown and grown. Most people's ambition would have burned out. It's her energy she brings everyday that keep volunteers here. Volunteers feed off her energy and stay even though they are not being paid. Volunteers come back to her because they get treated as her equal; they love being around her."

Sanderson said her biggest love and passion is helping others. Now the community services specialist for West Central has been able to live her passion by running programs such as low income heat, which helps provide heat in the winter for those in poverty, Emergency Crisis Intervention Programs for those with low incomes, energy programs and she helps teach life-skills classes such as financial aid or education on living in poverty.

Sanderson started her working career at a nursing home; after three months she took a job at West Central's headquarters in Appleton City as a secretary. She said she was unhappy in that position because she wasn't working with people.

"I have a big heart," Sanderson said. "I know that is weird to say about yourself, but I think I get that from my father. He was always helping others too."

Sanderson said the agency knew she was unhappy in her secretary position and when a position opened in Cedar County, she took it. Eventually, Sanderson was able to work in Vernon County.

Sanderson has won a multitude of awards. She has been awarded Employee of the quarter and Employee of the year, and Brock said she has earned countless awards for what she has accomplished with the agency.

Sanderson said she is happy working in Vernon County, and she enoys serving the people.

"I've had many positions, but I like my county. The clientele, consumers, I like to see them," Sanderson said. "People are really thankful. It's nice to see people being uplifted or formed to grow."

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