Amarillo Globe-News honors 2022 Man and Woman of the Year
The Amarillo Globe-News hosted its 62nd annual luncheon in honor of the 2022 Man and Woman of the Year, Vance Reed and Cari Roach Good. During the ceremony, previous years' recipients and the 2022 Citizens On the Move were also recognized at the luncheon, held Wednesday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room.
The Man and Woman of the Year celebration is sponsored by FirstBank Southwest, and the 2022 Citizens on the Move is sponsored by Physicians Surgical Hospitals.
As stated by Sr. Sales Director and event host Eric Fow, over the past 62 years, the Amarillo Globe-News has honored 47 women and 62 men through the Man and Woman of the Year awards. The award ceremony initially began in 1950 with the Man of the Year category, and 25 years later realized that it needed to recognize the Woman of the Year as well. Over the years, the recognition has come to be considered one of the highest achievements within the community, as it recognizes individuals who have all worked in one way or another to better the city of Amarillo and the surrounding community.
Wednesday's event began with Jeff Pugh, Chaplain with Northwest Texas Healthcare System, leading attendees in prayer before receiving the meal provided by 3 Square Meals. Fow began the ceremonies by honoring the 2021 Man and Woman of the Year, Russell Lowery-Hart and Linda Vaughn, who, due to the pandemic, were unable to be recognized in person last year.
Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson said during her speech honoring the 2022 recipients: "I want to congratulate Cari and Vance; I am so thankful in what you do to make our community better. It's not just about the city of Amarillo. It's about all the people who live in the city of Amarillo, and you both have served for so many years. This award is so well deserved."
During the luncheon, the room applauded in a standing ovation as the 2022 Man and Woman of the Year were introduced by Adam Young, Editor and Senior Content Manager for the Amarillo Globe-News. The recipients thanked the crowd as they walked to the stage to accept their award, presented by sponsor FirstBank Southwest.
As a part of her acceptance speech, Roach Good spoke of the time she found her calling to help the homeless and how that single moment has influenced her into dedicating her life to helping those in need, currently peaking with the upcoming creation of the new community partnership homeless facility.
"Possibly 30 years ago, I was in Elwood Park, and I saw a man sleeping beneath a tree hanging onto a suitcase. And I felt in my spirit that day the Lord say, 'I created him the same as I created you, and I love him just a much as I love you.' My heart was transformed that day. ... My desire was, and is, to ease their pain somehow, both physical and emotional pain," said Cari Roach Good, 2022 Woman of the Year.
"I have served the homeless in many capacities, and today I am proud to be president of the Guyon Saunders Resource Center, where we are embarking on the most incredible public/private partnership that is even more magnificent than I could ever imagine. I am so proud of the city of Amarillo, private businesses and the faith community that have come together for Transformation Park. It will both not only improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness, but also improve our community," Roach Good added.
During his speech, 2022 Man of the Year Vance Reed acknowledged his family and friends whom he holds most dear in his life, and recognized them for their continued support. Reed also spoke of his unconditional love for Amarillo and how he was able to reach his childhood dream.
"I don't know how to say how honored I truly am, but if you knew my background, I am a little short fat boy from Borger, Texas. When I was a kid, my two brothers Bill, Dale, and I used to sit in the back of a '49 Ford, and we couldn't wait to get to Amarillo, Texas, with my mother. ... I often thought, 'boy, I wish I'd get to live there,' and did I wish I could. Then some 54 years ago, I was lucky enough to move to Amarillo, and I thought this truly is tall cotton to this kid, and it remains that way truly today," Reed said.
In addition to the 2022 Man and Woman of the Year, Young awarded the 10 recipients of the 2022 Citizens on the Move, presented by Physicians Surgical Hospitals LLC.
"The only reason that I was in that room, and walking that stage, is because of the people that I work with at Kids Inc.," Jimmy Lackey, 2022 Citizen on the move recipient said. "There is nothing that I do that warrants that type of recognition. The team that I have in my office that I work with, this award is a reflection of them and their hard work. I would be a fool to think that that was all me, because it's not; that was just me representing my team and staff."
The Amarillo Globe-News would like to congratulate all recipients in honor of their work in the community to help Amarillo be the best environment that it could possibly be.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: 2022 Citizens on the Move and Man and Woman of the year honored
