Cheslic receives Community Cornerstone Award

CornerBank has announced Don Cheslic is the Community Cornerstone Award recipient for October. In recognition of his service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of Don’s choice. Don has selected The Salvation Army to receive the contribution.
A reception honoring Don’s service will be at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Don has been an active member of Central Christian Church since 1958. He has held offices in many different areas, serving as deacon, property chairman and trustee chairman. He managed the installation of the new heating system, new roof and restoration of the sanctuary and church building. He also volunteered to keep up the church grounds. He is a representative for the annual church community Thanksgiving dinner and helped with the live Christmas nativity. He helped organize the church’s effort with the American Red Cross to provide support for flood victims. He has donated 19 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross.

Don has been a member of Lion’s Club for more than 38 years, during which time he has maintained Lion’s Park. He served as president, helped start the fishing derby and has been active in the Club’s food booth and parade activities for Arkalalah. He has hosted visiting Arkalalah queens. Additionally, he has been a member of the Masonic Lodge sing the 1960s and a member of the American Legion since 1955. He is an Ambassador for the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and a current member of the Arkansas City Planning Commission.

He is a proud booster and supporter of Cowley College and has served as a foster parent for boys and girls basketball and volleyball for several years. He previously coached little league football and baseball.

He received an award for outstanding achievement from the U.S. Army National Guard in 1964, the Sunflower State Football Award from the Little League Football Association in 1973, a beautification award for the grounds and restoration of Central Christian Church and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the International Foundation Lion’s Club in 1993-94.

Don was born in Attica, Kansas, and graduated from Attica High School in 1948. He married Velma Baker on Aug. 18, 1949, in Attica. They moved to Arkansas City in 1951. He served two years as a radio operator with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. He served 10 years as a platoon sergeant with the National Guard and 11 years as chief storekeeper with the Navy Reserves. He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service for 32 years and retired in 1987.

Don and Velma have one daughter, Pam, and her husband, Allan Darnall; and two grandsons: Jace, Arkansas City, and Shawn, a student at Wichita State University.

Don was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Karl Faidley, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbank.com
for nomination guidelines.