Envision Athens, a community-wide roadmap for the future community and economic development of Athens-Clarke County, is celebrating locals who embody its core values of unity, equity, prosperity and compassion, by announcing the 2020 Good Neighbor Awards. The annual honor is recognizing Melinda DeMaria, Rick Dunn and Lillian Kincey as the recipients of the annual award and Rashe Malcolm as the Envisioneer of the Year, for their exemplary work in building up the community.

Founded in 2016, Envision Athens seeks to holistically grow the Athens community through a multi-dimensional strategy meant to guide community and economic development for the next 20 years. The organization aims to create a shared sense of accountability and commitment to implementing a plan that is carefully-designed, intuitive and informed. The annual Good Neighbor Awards publicly honors its recipients by acknowledging their contribution to the Athens community and elevates them as an example of a good neighbor. 

“We are proud to celebrate these four Athenians by spotlighting their contribution to our community,” said Erin Barger, the project manager of Envision Athens. “More importantly, we are thankful for how they have inspired those around them by enacting our core values: unity, equity, prosperity and compassion. Each one of them is a genuine, shining example of what it means to be a good neighbor.” 

Those being recognized for the honor work to build up various aspects of the community, from youth development and feeding the hungry to protecting the health and safety of the community. University of Georgia alumnus and radio talk show host Rick Dunn created MEU Radio-Athens, a nonprofit, youth-operated internet radio station, to give Athens youth an opportunity to share their voice. Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Melinda DeMaria facilitated Mask Making for Athens, the volunteer-driven effort to provide cloth masks free of charge. Lillian Kincey founded Young Designers Sewing Program, an after-school program to teach girls to sew, bringing girls from all walks of life together to learn a skill together and invites the community to celebrate their work at a fashion show each year. 

In addition, Envisioneer of the Year Rashe Malcolm is passionate about feeding people in need so that they don’t have to wonder where to find their next meal. She opened her own Jamaican restaurant, Rashe’s Cuisine, and founded Farm to Neighborhood, a nonprofit community initiative that provides fresh, healthy and affordable mobile meals and produce for limited income families.

“What each of these recipients has in common is their care for their neighbors,“ said Barger. “They see the entire Athens community as human beings, and it’s evident by their personal sacrifice and the unmatched energy they pour into their specific arenas. Looking ahead to 2021, our hope is that their care will be contagious, and the city of Athens will be full of ‘good neighbors’ uniting together with a common vision for the future.”   

Envision Athens is a movement that aims to break down barriers between the private sector, public sector, not-for-profit agencies and citizens of Athens. mind. To learn more about Envision Athens, visit envisionathens.com.