FREEPORT

The surviving founding mothers of Freeport Community Services were honored as the 2014 Freeport Citizens of the Year this week.

Recognized were Vaughndella Curtis, Janice Fogg, Suzie Harding, Betsy Ruff, Sherry Smith and Carol Southall.

The annual award is given to individuals or community groups that have “substantially contributed to the quality of the town, the wellbeing of the citizens, and the reputation of Freeport, that has caused a measurable improvement in the circumstances of a significant number of townspeople,” according to a statement read by Bill Rixon.

The women were nominated by Dean Paterson, Jane Fox and Freeport Police Lt. Susan Nourse.

FCS was formed four decades ago by what was then a group of young mothers who had gathered to share resources, according to a statement by Nourse supporting the nomination. The group believed there were others who could benefit by being similarly connected.

That marked the formation of Freeport Community Services, a community-run nonprofit organization that coordinates programs along with some direct services for those in Freeport and Pownal.

FCS services includes a food pantry and thrift shop, both housed in the Freeport Community Center, which is operated under FCS.

FCS celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014 and continues to carry forth its founding mothers’ ideals, according to Nourse.

The women are major players in the life of Freeport, who each look out for each other and the community, particularly those community members experiencing hardships.

“These ladies are not shrinking violets,” said Nourse, speaking before the town council on Tuesday. “They are full of vim and vigor. They work behind the scenes, but come to the forefront when conditions demand.

“There is no way to quantify all the contributions from these women. Each person in Freeport could tell a story about how their lives were impacted, directly or indirectly, by these women or FCS,” said Nourse.

Curtis and Ruff had previously served as town councilors, and Fogg served as a police dispatcher and still works as a crossing guard, said Nourse.

Southall has a “knack for bringing people together when she recognizes a problem, such as bullying in our schools,” said Nourse, while Smith is the glue that holds the group together with her organizational skills.

Harding created the FCS job bank for youth, which teaches job skills and serves as an intervention, directing youth to productive ways to spend their time.

“They have given Freeport a legacy that will withstand the test of time, because it comes from the people and goes to the people,” said Nourse.

“They truly deserve all the accolades you can shower on them for all the good work they have done for this community,” said resident Edward Bonney. “Everyone in town appreciates your efforts. Keep doing what you’re doing, because we need you.”

The honor came during a meeting of Freeport Town Council.

“It’s a huge privilege to work and be with all of you,” said Melanie Sachs, chairwoman of the council and also FCS executive director.

The women’s names will be displayed on a plaque in town hall.

For information on FCS, go to www.fcsmaine.org.

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com