Matt Lamons has been selected as the guest of honor for the 120th Kingdom of Callaway Supper in March.
He was surprised when he first learned the news. His surprise then turned into excitement and honor.
"It's a very special thing to me," he said, adding "I'm really proud to be someone that is considered to be someone that can be a guest of honor."
The supper's current president, Marcia Lamons, was hesitant at first to choose her nephew as the guest of honor.
"Then I decided that I know him very well, better than most, and I know that he's very deserving of the recognition," Marcia Lamons said.
She chose Matt Lamons as the guest of honor because of his values and work ethic.
"He's a good family man," Marcia Lamons said. "He gives back to his new community and he just represents his Callaway County roots well."
Matt Lamons has a lot of pride in being a Callaway County native.
"I am very, very proud to be from where I'm from," he said.
Matt Lamons said his aunt selecting him as the guest of honor made the recognition even more special.
"That meant to me that she's proud of me and that perhaps other people in my family are as well, that's really special," he said, adding "It definitely makes me feel good to know that people are proud enough to consider me."
Matt Lamons was born in Fulton and grew up around the corner from his grandparents' farm.
He graduated from Fulton High School, received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central Missouri State University and earned a master's degree in business administration from Maryville University.
Matt Lamons met his wife Melissa while attending Central Missouri State University. The couple settled in Fenton and he began working for his father-in-law, Dale Loomis, at Loomis Brothers Equipment.
He began his career at Loomis Brothers as an outside sales representative, working up the chain to become president and CEO. Matt Lamons and his wife purchased the company in January 2020.
The couple also own two other businesses -- FreshWave Laundry Solutions and a chain of five laundromats.
Matt Lamons' parents are Kenny Lamons and Tammy Rowe. He has one younger sibling.
In his free time, Matt Lamons runs in 5ks with his family and contributes to local organizations such as Circle of Concern, Haven House and the Covering House. He has three sons who are active in various sports.
Kingdom of Callaway Supper names guest of honor | Fulton Sun
Kim Barnes will receive the Settler's Award at the 120th Kingdom of Callaway Supper in March.
The award is given to someone who was born outside of Callaway County but has moved and lived in the county for over 25 years. The recipient must have also enhanced the quality of life in Callaway County in some way.
Joe Holt said he didn't know of a better person who fits the criteria other than a banker, given the amount of connections they make in the community.
"If they're doing a good job for themselves, their bank and their community, they've made a lot of friends, and Kim is that kind of a person," Holt said.
He explained that Barnes, through her position at the Callaway Bank, is well-connected and has done a lot for the community.
"She just fits that definition to a T, probably better than anybody I can think of in this county at this time," Holt said.
Barnes was surprised and very honored to learn that she received the award.
She's attended a few of the Callaway Suppers and said it is a unique event.
"(It's) kind of unusual in terms of you don't see other communities having the same kinds of celebrations. I respect that the area celebrates its history," Barnes said, adding "It brings the community together."
Barnes, originally from West Plains, came to Fulton to attend William Woods College, now William Woods University. She was the first of her family to attend college.
When she first came to Fulton, she "was struck at how graciously the community opened its arms to the student population," a release states.
Barnes graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting and computer science. She met Rob Barnes of Auxvasse in her last year at William Woods and they got married a short time later.
She decided to build her life in Fulton because it struck her as a very welcoming community.
"I could see a good future here," Barnes said.
She worked at a few jobs for a short time before working at the Callaway Bank.
"I found my place at the bank," Barnes said, adding "When I found the bank, that just kind of cinched the deal."
Barnes began with the bank as a lobby receptionist in 1987. One of her first tasks working at the Callaway Bank was converting the bank's computer system.
She held several positions throughout her career at the Callaway Bank, working as a student loan officer, overseeing bank operations and leading the information technology department. Barnes became president and CEO of the Callaway Bank in October 2012.
Her vision for the Callaway Bank is to help clients succeed financially while continuing to operate as an independent community bank.
"When our clients are successful and moving their businesses forward, it makes our communities stronger and it makes us stronger," Barnes said. "We value the generations of clients we've been privileged to serve in mid-Missouri and we intend to continue helping families achieve their dreams."
Barnes helped launch the Show-Me Innovation Center and bring the Missouri Women's Business Center to Fulton
She has served on several local boards, including the Callaway Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, SERVE's Board of Directors and the William Woods University Board of Trustees.
Callaway Bank CEO, president to receive Settler’s Award | Fulton Sun
Shop with a Hero will receive the Distinguished Service Award during the 120th Kingdom of Callaway Supper in March.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to someone who gives back to the community.
Shop with a Hero is a donation and fundraiser-based program supporting Callaway County children in need during the holiday season.
Sgt. Joe Schramm with the Fulton Police Department was originally responsible for the local Shop with a Hero program from 2006 until his retirement in 2021.
Lt. Jason Barnes took over the program after Schramm's retirement. Although he has only been the coordinator since 2021, Barnes has participated in the Shop with a Hero program for around 20 years.
Barnes will accept the award on the program's behalf. He was excited to find out the program would receive the award.
"It was unexpected, but I was excited and I'm very honored to accept the award for the program," he said.
This will be Barnes' first time attending the supper.
"It's going to be new for me as well as part of getting the award," Barnes said.
Participating children -- accompanied by a local first responder -- are given $100 to spend at Walmart, with an additional $10 to account for sales tax.
"We allow the children their own time in the store and shop for themselves, parents, siblings, whoever they feel the need that they need to shop for, all while being escorted by a first responder," Barnes said.
Shop with a Hero will often receive donations from individuals and local businesses.
"Dollar General supplies stockings, they go shopping for each child and provide a stocking," Barnes said. "We have had toys donated to us that we give out to the children that morning before we go to Walmart."
Shop with a Hero expands to include more local emergency personnel and vehicles annually.
"It originally started as Shop with a Cop, but then it grew so big and all the first responders were getting involved, they changed it from Shop with a Cop to Shop with a Hero," Barnes said.
The program continues to grow, supporting 60 children in 2023 and 75 children in 2024.
Barnes' goal is to continue growing the program by at least one child each year.
"In my opinion, if we keep growing it, that's more children that are participating and having a Christmas," he explained.
His personal goal is to grow the program to 100 children by the time he retires.
"I hope whoever takes the program over after me can keep growing it past that," Barnes said.
Those interested in donating or learning more about Shop with a Hero can contact Barnes at the Fulton Police Department at 573-592-3100.
Shop with a Hero to receive Distinguished Service Award | Fulton Sun
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