Hometown Spirit

Story by Lindsey Chester | November 18, 2009 |

Family fitness advocate, coach and community volunteer Alisa Wright Colopy is the recipient of the Town of Cary’s first annual Hometown Spirit Award, which is designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary by preserving, promoting and carrying out positive small town community values and traits. The honor was announced at the Nov 12th meeting of the Cary Town Council, during which each of the 12 nominees was recognized for their unique contributions to their community. Colopy received a plaque, and the Town will recognize her on a plaque inside Town Hall. She and family have also been invited to attend the community tree lighting event on December 5, 2009, which will be followed by a reception in Colopy’s honor.

“This is such an amazing honor,” said Colopy. “But I have to say it goes to literally thousands of volunteers that have helped me for the last 14 years, and so I share this with all of them, including the people that I work with in the Town. I have to give my highest compliments to the Town staff and to the people on the Council that I know I’ve pestered through the years.”

Inspired by a suggestion from Cary citizen William Clifton Barnes, Hometown Spirit Award nominees had to demonstrate leadership and integrity and be respected by peers. In addition, they had to exemplify at least one of the following criteria:

helps out neighbors and fellow Cary residents demonstrates hospitality;promotes and preserves traditional American past-times; shows a concern for preservation and works to preserve traditions and the small-town atmosphere in the community; promotes entrepreneurship through supporting locally owned business;promotes a sense of community in their neighborhood and all of Cary;demonstrates patriotism through promotion and preservation of the country’s symbols and dedication to the U.S. military, past and present; and serves the community through business.

Cary residents age 21 and older were eligible for the award. In addition to Colopy, this year’s nominees were:

Brad Bailey
Julie Cox
Judy Edwards
Ian Henshaw
Tommy Holcomb
Marcy Holland
Stan Latta
Christy Perrin
Doreen Reynolds
Lane Rose
Tom Ryan

For more, see the Hometown Spirit Award section ofwww.townfocary.org