By Jamie Gardner
This year’s Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting, held on Tuesday, January 26 at the Baxley Church of God, was outstanding. The event was well attended and featured a delicious meal and great entertainment from State Representative and Motivational Speaker Brooks Coleman. In fact three other State Representatives joined the meeting with Coleman including Appling County Representatives Chad Nimmer and Greg Morris and State Representative Chuck Williams of Watkinsville, a former resident of Appling County. U.S. Congressman Rick Allen was also on hand during the reception held prior to the start of the meeting.
Ronald Burkett and his family.
Burkett named Citizen of the Year at Annual Meeting
Many awards were presented during the evening including the Citizen of the Year, STAR Student/Teacher and Excellence in Agriculture awards. (See separate stories for STAR Students/Teachers and Excellence in Agriculture.)
The annual silent auction to raise funds for college scholarships was also a huge success. Chamber Executive Director Keri Crosby announced at the close of the meeting that over $5,000.00 dollars was raised. As a result of the auction Crosby added that, pending board approval, the Chamber could possibly provide four local scholarships instead of two thanks to the generous donations.
During the meeting incoming Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce President Peggy Miles presented the 2016 Citizen of the Year Award. Miles read a portion of the nomination letter about this year’s recipient, Ronald Burkett. Burkett was nominated by Janine Hunter with assistance from Burkett’s family members.
Others nominated for the prestigious award included Karen Davis and Norma Nunez-Cortes.
The following is the letter of nomination presented to the Chamber by Hunter regarding Burkett:
“Joel Barker once quoted, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” My nominee’s life is the epitome of vision and action. Ronald Burkett, a native of Surrency (Appling County) Georgia, is the son of Alfredia Burkett and the late Rudolph Burkett. Ronald graduated from Appling County Comprehensive High School in 1971. During high school, his activities included shop, agriculture, wresting and football where he started every year and affectionately earned the name “Bear”. After high school, he matriculated to then Fort Valley State College, where he studied Agriculture and was a member of the Glee Club.
Ronald has been married to the lovely Jacqulyn Smith Burkett for 42 years, and they have two daughters, Danita Burkett-Hayes and Kenya Burkett-Hamilton. He is a devoted grandfather of three, Briana Hayes, Ryan Hayes and Myles Hamilton. He has two sons-in-law, James Hayes and Phillip Hamilton. Not only is he devoted to his family, but is also very active in the community.
Ronald is a faithful member of Surrency Grove Baptist Church where is a deacon and plays the bass guitar. After church, he is often seen visiting the nursing homes. Ronald is a former City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem for the city of Surrency. He is a trustee for Altamaha Technical College’s Foundation Board and a mentor for the prestigious 100 Black Men of America organization designed to assist young men into adulthood. Mr. Burkett is a former Advisory Council Board Member for the Appling County High School Vocational Technical, and serves on the Work Force Investment Board and the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission serving as a representative for Appling County for both entities. He is a former member of the directors for Appling General Hospital and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Appling County Chamber of Commerce. He is very supportive of his community as a leader, encourager and role model. It is important to him to strive to help provide a better community for our future generations in Appling County.
Ronald is the President and small business owner of Southern Metal Works Inc., a company that he single handedly started from the ground up and managed for the past 16 years. Prior to owning his own business, he worked for Rayonier for 28 years. Ronald has a busy schedule of work, family, community and civic duties, but still manages to find time for himself. In his spare time he loves playing golf, watching football, and spending time with his grandchildren.
About 15 years ago, Ronald’s daughter began to notice that the children of her community had no adult after school support or parental oversight. Realizing the demand on parents to work along with very few options for children’s care, a desire sparked in their hearts to see a safe, structured and educational program provided for those kids, as well as all other kids. The search for solutions lead them to the Boys and Girls Club of America. Mr. Burkett found out that the Boys and Girls Club exists “to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential, to become productive, caring and responsible citizens.” Within a structured, safe environment, the Club was to impact young people on a daily basis after school and during the summer. The effort offered core programs in three measureable areas, Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles, all while having fun.
Mr. Burkett liked what he heard but was skeptical and leery about the ability to raise the $50,000.00 in startup money needed to implement this type of program locally. However, with a heart of faith and determination, Mr. Burkett was not to be denied. By May of 2006, Mr. Steve “Harry” Harrell, a successful businessman and native of Appling County, had pledged to match every dollar raised locally towards establishing a club at the old Junior High School. By December, the Club’s steering committee was formed leading to numerous discussions, presentations and plans to open a club. With pledges or support from Mr. H. Steve Harrell Sr., Senator Tommie Williams and Representative Tommy Smith, over $80,000.00 was raised by April 2007.
In December 2007, the Boys and Girls Club of Appling County received its official designation as a unit chartered under the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The hard work paid off, and the Boys and Girls Club of Appling County was able to provide great fun and learning activities for families needing after school and summer care for their children.
Ronald served faithfully as a Chairman of the Club until diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, eventually his health and well-being drove him to gracefully yet regretfully “hang his hat up,” but never his heart. He often reflects on those kids and prays for their well-being.
During his tenure, he was able to rally donors, investors, local businesses, volunteers, professional sports figures and some surrounding colleges and universities all in addition to local as well as state dignitaries to support the efford. From every corner, Appling County supported this great cause so much in part due to the confidence they had in Burkett’s leadership. When asked why he donated so much of his time and effort to this cause he stated, “Our children are the future of this community. The work we did in the Boys and Girls Clubs with our youth was to help build a brighter tomorrow.” Even today, it gives him great joy to hear the testimonies of some of the Club kids that are now successful adults come share how the Club positively impacted their lives. Ronald is often heard saying, “If I helped just one, it was worth is all.”
It is my pleasure to nominate Ronald Burkett for Appling County Citizen of the Year.
By: Janie Hunter, Friends and Family of Ronald Burkett”
The annual silent auction to raise funds for college scholarships was also a huge success. Chamber Executive Director Keri Crosby announced at the close of the meeting that over $5,000.00 dollars was raised. As a result of the auction Crosby added that, pending board approval, the Chamber could possibly provide four local scholarships instead of two thanks to the generous donations.
During the meeting incoming Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce President Peggy Miles presented the 2016 Citizen of the Year Award. Miles read a portion of the nomination letter about this year’s recipient, Ronald Burkett. Burkett was nominated by Janine Hunter with assistance from Burkett’s family members.
Others nominated for the prestigious award included Karen Davis and Norma Nunez-Cortes.
The following is the letter of nomination presented to the Chamber by Hunter regarding Burkett:
“Joel Barker once quoted, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” My nominee’s life is the epitome of vision and action. Ronald Burkett, a native of Surrency (Appling County) Georgia, is the son of Alfredia Burkett and the late Rudolph Burkett. Ronald graduated from Appling County Comprehensive High School in 1971. During high school, his activities included shop, agriculture, wresting and football where he started every year and affectionately earned the name “Bear”. After high school, he matriculated to then Fort Valley State College, where he studied Agriculture and was a member of the Glee Club.
Ronald has been married to the lovely Jacqulyn Smith Burkett for 42 years, and they have two daughters, Danita Burkett-Hayes and Kenya Burkett-Hamilton. He is a devoted grandfather of three, Briana Hayes, Ryan Hayes and Myles Hamilton. He has two sons-in-law, James Hayes and Phillip Hamilton. Not only is he devoted to his family, but is also very active in the community.
Ronald is a faithful member of Surrency Grove Baptist Church where is a deacon and plays the bass guitar. After church, he is often seen visiting the nursing homes. Ronald is a former City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem for the city of Surrency. He is a trustee for Altamaha Technical College’s Foundation Board and a mentor for the prestigious 100 Black Men of America organization designed to assist young men into adulthood. Mr. Burkett is a former Advisory Council Board Member for the Appling County High School Vocational Technical, and serves on the Work Force Investment Board and the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission serving as a representative for Appling County for both entities. He is a former member of the directors for Appling General Hospital and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Appling County Chamber of Commerce. He is very supportive of his community as a leader, encourager and role model. It is important to him to strive to help provide a better community for our future generations in Appling County.
Ronald is the President and small business owner of Southern Metal Works Inc., a company that he single handedly started from the ground up and managed for the past 16 years. Prior to owning his own business, he worked for Rayonier for 28 years. Ronald has a busy schedule of work, family, community and civic duties, but still manages to find time for himself. In his spare time he loves playing golf, watching football, and spending time with his grandchildren.
About 15 years ago, Ronald’s daughter began to notice that the children of her community had no adult after school support or parental oversight. Realizing the demand on parents to work along with very few options for children’s care, a desire sparked in their hearts to see a safe, structured and educational program provided for those kids, as well as all other kids. The search for solutions lead them to the Boys and Girls Club of America. Mr. Burkett found out that the Boys and Girls Club exists “to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential, to become productive, caring and responsible citizens.” Within a structured, safe environment, the Club was to impact young people on a daily basis after school and during the summer. The effort offered core programs in three measureable areas, Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles, all while having fun.
Mr. Burkett liked what he heard but was skeptical and leery about the ability to raise the $50,000.00 in startup money needed to implement this type of program locally. However, with a heart of faith and determination, Mr. Burkett was not to be denied. By May of 2006, Mr. Steve “Harry” Harrell, a successful businessman and native of Appling County, had pledged to match every dollar raised locally towards establishing a club at the old Junior High School. By December, the Club’s steering committee was formed leading to numerous discussions, presentations and plans to open a club. With pledges or support from Mr. H. Steve Harrell Sr., Senator Tommie Williams and Representative Tommy Smith, over $80,000.00 was raised by April 2007.
In December 2007, the Boys and Girls Club of Appling County received its official designation as a unit chartered under the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The hard work paid off, and the Boys and Girls Club of Appling County was able to provide great fun and learning activities for families needing after school and summer care for their children.
Ronald served faithfully as a Chairman of the Club until diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, eventually his health and well-being drove him to gracefully yet regretfully “hang his hat up,” but never his heart. He often reflects on those kids and prays for their well-being.
Pictured above is Ronald Burkett accepting the Citizen of the Year award from Janine Hunter.
It is my pleasure to nominate Ronald Burkett for Appling County Citizen of the Year.
By: Janie Hunter, Friends and Family of Ronald Burkett”
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