The 21st annual Neighborhood Builders Banquet on Monday brought the who’s who of Bowling Green together for a night of recognition.

Karen Foley, neighborhood services coordinator for the city and the banquet’s host, said she was glad to see the event return after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

“For years and years, this has been my favorite thing to do every year, and 2019 was the last year we got to do it,” Foley said. “You can see from all the people in this room and all the things that they’ve done, our community has been through so much and we have neighbors who have just always stepped up.”

Mayor Todd Alcott and City Commissioners Carlos Bailey, Sue Parrigin and Melinda Hill joined Foley to celebrate the 12 awards handed out.

The “Mortar Award,” given to “someone who makes exemplary neighborhood contributions behind the scenes,” was awarded to Scott Huff of the Crestmoore neighborhood and George Gootee and Woodrow Wilson of the Beddington Park neighborhood.

Huff worked as a coach at Bowling Green High School and helped assemble volunteers to man the drink booth at the Eats & Beats Music Festival this year. Gootee and Wilson were recognized for the regular help they provide their neighbors.

The “Blueprint Award,” given to “someone who demonstrates outstanding vision and leadership for our neighbors,” was awarded to Shalana Beasley Page and Clara Verst.

Page is the leader behind the Shake Rag Festival and has helped Parks and Recreation develop an adaptive sports program. Verst is the leader behind Re-Tree BG, a program that seeks to recover lost tree canopy cover after the 2021 tornadoes and subsequent storms.

The “Groundbreaking Award,” awarded to “an individual or group who leads a particularly unique, outstanding and unprecedented neighborhood endeavor,” was given to Rock Band Academy of Bowling Green.

Rock Band Academy was nominated for “cultivating a culture of inclusion and home-grown musicianship for the future” through the many lessons and programs offered to local students.

The “Foundation Award,” given to “neighbors whose exceptional service and care for others provide stabilization and security,” was awarded to Ryan and Bonita Dearbone and Daniel and Alice Tarnagda.

Ryan is president of the local NAACP chapter, deacon at State Street Baptist Church and a professor at WKU, while Bonita is a regular volunteer and leads the Silver Sneakers class at Parks and Recreation.

Daniel and Alice lead Refuge BG as executive director and administrator, respectively. They are both active in the immigrant community and play a vital role in helping integrate foreign-born residents into the city.

The “Pillar Award,” awarded to “an anchoring business or organization that enhances the appearance and vitality of a neighborhood,” was given to La Luz Del Mundo Church and the George Washington Carver Center.

La Luz Del Mundo Church hosted COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics, collaborated with the city to help facilitate the 2020 Census, partnered with the city for Hispanic Heritage Month, hosts a community-wide Thanksgiving dinner and contributes extensively to the city through other means.

The George Washington Carver Center was founded in 1946 and assists with voter registration, provides tutoring for students, hosts community gatherings, educates others on the history of the Shake Rag area and offers tours of the district.

The “Cornerstone Award,” given to “a neighborhood leader who serves as a catalyst and motivator in recruiting others to participate in meeting neighborhood challenges,” was awarded to Johnalma Barnett, a leader at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Barnett is a regular city volunteer and organizer – helping distribute food through Feeding America, participating in the City Shapers BG community development group and serving as a community representative of the West End.

The final award of the night, the “Model Neighborhood Award,” was given to “a neighborhood that has achieved a model level of community spirit, cooperation and communication.”

The Delafield Neighborhood Group received the award for organizing meetings to address community concerns, collaborating with city officials, fostering a community spirit and applying for a Flexible Neighborhood Grant to better meet local needs.

Foley said she hoped guests, award winners and the wider community walks away with a renewed sense of encouragement and community.

“For us and for neighbors doing their things, hopefully tonight is just a moment where you go, ‘look at all these beautiful people in this room and all the things they’re doing,’ ” Foley said. “It’s about having the encouragement to continue doing those things.”