CRIDERSVILLE, Ohio (WLIO) - Growing up in a small community was a blessing for Stacey Myers Cook. She knew her neighbors, and they knew her. Her parents, Ned and Janice Myers, owned the town's hardware store, which was a hub of activity where people came to visit. They were also very active in the community, and it's there that Stacey believes she and her siblings caught the bug.
"Our parents were remarkable people and great role models - they taught me and my siblings the importance of giving back and volunteering of our time, so much as we always heard, 'If you got one Myers, you got them all'," said Myers Cook. "Because of that I have fond memories of my childhood, and I want to continue my parents' legacy of being able to provide those types of events for children and their families to create their own memories for a lifetime."
Stacey believes she and her siblings caught the bug for volunteerism from her parents, Ned and Janice.
Her father and other local businessmen started the annual Halloween parade and costume contest more than 40 years ago, and Stacey continues to keep it going today as part of the fall festival. She's also involved in the Cridersville Historical Society, volunteering at dinners, and the Christmas tree lighting, among other projects.
Stacey became even more involved in the community by joining the Lions Club.
Stacey became even more involved in the community by joining the Lions Club, where, as president, the club has organized events such as breakfast with Santa, a community Easter egg hunt, and the village's Christmas on Main Street event — all becoming family traditions for area residents.
"We can't forget the children," said Myers Cook. "We do this all for them and to see their faces at these events makes it all worthwhile."
Stacey was nominated for the Jefferson Award by Luann Everett, a 2023 Jefferson Award Winner, who has worked with her on several projects and is impressed with her commitment to the Cridersville community.
"She is all about community, all about family, and she just wants to make Cridersville the best little town in Ohio that it can be," said Everett. "She has a lot of people that are out there helping her, working with her, but it wouldn't get started if it wasn't for Stacey. I admire that in her."
During the summer months, Stacey can be found tending to the garden club's plantings in town and making scarecrows for their annual fundraiser.
During the summer months, Stacey can be found tending to the garden club's plantings in town and making scarecrows for their annual fundraiser. She is also on the Cridersville Village Council and chairs the parks committee. Her newest projects include a scarecrow trail in Legacy Park and the family-friendly Halloween at the Museum. Residents never know what new event she may come up with for some good family fun.
