Columnist Jim Davidson is coming to Marion!  Known for writing encouraging insights and positive perspectives about people and communities, Jim Davidson will be the Keynote Speaker for Marion Main Street's Annual Awards Dinner and Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2008, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.  He will entertain; he will advise; and he will inspire!

The Annual Awards Dinner and Meeting is designed to include anyone who is interested in community betterment, and who works as a volunteer or would like to.  Volunteer-based organization leaders will enjoy and be inspired by Jim Davidson's humor and encouragement.  Jim delights in motivating caring people to get involved and make a difference in every community he visits.

"Learning, Earning, and Giving Back" is the book Jim Davidson has written to show the way with an idea and a plan.  He has spearheaded a project in his hometown of Conway, Arkansas, and others.  It is called "A Bookcase For Every Child."  The profit from his book goes back into the community which starts its own Bookcase Project aimed at improving literacy among children at risk.  Anyone who is interested in or deals with literacy issues will be highly inspired by Jim Davidson's approach to this problem.  He notes that volunteers working in a team effort are the key to success, whether in this project or in any community action activity.

The program for the evening includes other very special guests as well.  Samantha Guesentine, Miss John A. Logan Pageant Queen, and Meredith McCoy, Miss Southern Illinois Pageant Queen will entertain with their winning musical talent.  In addition, if there are no "missed calls or fouls", our great Marion High School Football Coach, Kerry Martin, will ignite a fresh spark of enthusiasm with his words of wisdom.  You will have a chance at many choice items in a Silent Auction, and the person who brings the most people to the banquet will win a valuable gift.  From the minute you enter the door you will walk through the Newsy Arch of Opportunity, fill your mouth with "storied sensational" food, delight your eyes with "picture-perfect" ambience, and be reenergized by the "Extra! Extra!" scoop on the message. 

Marion Main Street and The Marion Daily Republican is honored to provide this opportunity to all Marion community leaders and volunteers to hear Jim Davidson's uplifting story, and be reminded that all our volunteer hours and donations really count.  "Yes, we CAN make a difference in our town" is a worthy motto.

Your purchase of a ticket for this event is your agreement and willingness to "make a difference."  The meal will be catered by Walt's Restaurant.  Tickets are on sale for $25.00 and are available from the Civic Center office, (997-4030), Main Street Executive Director Bob Stein (993-5299), the Marion Daily Republican  (993-2626), and are limited to the first 130 responses. The proceeds will cover expenses for the event and help to fund special projects by Marion Main Street, such as Patriots Day activities, Christmas On The Square, and facilitate partnering with other Marion groups to build up the community in many ways.