SALYERSVILLE – With the numbers finally in, 2024 was a record year for Magoffin County Community Day.
The 21st-annual Community Day, held on August 17, raked in a whopping a record $123,871.03 – even with having to cut the festivities short due to rain that afternoon. Checks will be distributed to the participating nonprofit groups in October.
Since the day was cut short, they weren’t able to have a drawing for the car giveaway until the following Monday, but no one came forward with the winning ticket, so they drew, again, last week, with Toylia M. Howard winning a new car, a 2007 Infusion.
The Magoffin County Community Foundation honored Lana Blanton this year for her many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Magoffin County. Lana has been instrumental in the planning and setting up of Community Day each year, working countless hours to insure the event goes off without a hitch as it raises funding for local nonprofit groups, many of which Community Day serves as their largest fundraiser for the year.
Donna Salyer, with the Magoffin County Community Foundation, told the Salyersville Independent, “Over the years, when we started Community Day back in 2003, everybody pitched in and helped and we’ve all become dependent on Lana. She jumps in there and gets everything done. She cares about the town, this community and the bank, and we felt it was time to recognize the person responsible for making sure everything gets done.”
Magoffin County Community Foundation Chair Scotty B. Patrick was set to read the following speech honoring Lana Blanton for her years of service to the community during the 21st-annual Magoffin County Community Day, however, the weather caused the day to end early and the speech could not be read on August 17. Congratulations, Lana!
Over the past 20 years, we have honored someone who has contributed to the betterment of Magoffin County and its people. This has included doctors and lawyers, but no Indian Chiefs. But they all have had a deep sense of pride in their county and have worked tirelessly to make it a better place to live and work.
Our honoree tonight is no exception – and we would not be here if she hadn’t worked diligently for all these years to make Community Day happen.
Lana Blanton, please come to the stage.
Lana was born in Michigan to Nella Craft Howard and Garland Howard, but she moved to Magoffin County early on due to the passing of her mother. Her grandparents, Ann and Cisco Howard, adopted her and her sister, Treva, and raised them as their own.
After graduating from Magoffin County High School, she went to Alice Lloyd College, majored in business and upon graduation she began working at the Salyersville National Bank. Shortly thereafter, she married Ollie Blanton.
Lana has worked numerous jobs at the bank and is now a Vice President. She has always helped the community in various ways including helping the Renaissance program get off the ground.
And when the bank decided to help the non-profits raise money for their many charitable activities, Lana, along with all the other employees, jumped in to help.
And Community Day was born.
Over time we all began to depend on Lana for so many things relating to Community Day that it is hard to see how we could continue without her dedication.
Lana – from all of us, including the nonprofits and everyone, thank you for what you have done over the years.
