The City of Arkansas City will recognize an individual or group for outstanding community service during its annual Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award presentation Monday, Oct. 26.
The ceremony will be held at the USD 470 Avery Learning Center, 2500 N. 15th St. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 6 p.m.
This year’s recipient, or recipients, will be announced during the ceremony.
Members of the Community Spirit Award Committee and Arkansas City Commission will participate in the presentation. A social reception will follow, allowing attendees to congratulate the honorees.
Schmidt Jewelers will provide engraving for this year’s award.
The award is named in honor of Joe B. Avery, a longtime member of the Arkansas City Human Relations Commission who died in 2008.
Avery dedicated much of his life to improving the community by bringing people together, identifying local needs and developing resources to improve residents’ quality of life.
The Community Spirit Award was established in recognition of his service, with Avery named its first recipient.
The award continues to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional dedication to Arkansas City through volunteerism, compassion and community involvement. Continue story below ad.
The 2026 Community Spirit Award Committee includes chair Tammy Lanman-Henderson, vice chair Kim Hager, members JoAnn Bierle, Eric Burr and Joni Spiser, and secretary Tiffany Parsons.
Last year’s recipients were the Arkansas City Middle School KAY Club and Carol Hearne.
Other recent honorees include Angels in the Attic and Tammy Lanman-Henderson in 2024, Robin Henderson in 2023, Rags Smith in 2022, and Anita Judd-Jenkins and Foss Farrar in 2021.
The annual presentation celebrates the contributions of residents and organizations whose service helps strengthen the Arkansas City community.
