The Arc of Jackson County is a nonprofit organization that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Each year, it accepts nominations for awards handed out during the annual Christmas banquet in December.

This year, that was held Dec. 8 at Seymour Christian Church.

After accepting nominations, The Arc did something different this year: It opened up voting to the public to help determine the winners. The organization then decided to award two people in each category.

Bill Elmore, a board member for The Arc of Jackson County, served as emcee for the banquet and read comments from the nominations, while Melanie O’Neal, executive director of The Arc of Jackson County, presented a framed certificate and a gift card to each recipient.

Educator of the Year, which goes to a teacher who goes above and beyond in the special education classroom and provides education outside the classroom, went to Grace Kruse and Rilee Robinson.

Kruse is a special education teacher at Seymour-Redding Elementary School.

“She has been able to work with special education students and improve communication and offer advice to parents,” Elmore said. “She cares about her students, but she also advocates for her students.”

Robinson is a special education teacher at Brownstown Elementary School.

“She has a safe and nurturing environment for all of her students,” Elmore said. “She puts her heart and soul in all of her work.”

Paraprofessional of the Year goes to a paraprofessional or instructional assistant who goes above and beyond in the special education classroom or who provides education outside the classroom.

That went to Suzann Sorensen, who works with special education students at Seymour High School, and Jim Murphy, who drives bus No. 38 for Seymour Community School Corp.

“Everybody loves her smile,” Elmore said of Sorensen. “She’s responsible. She puts her whole heart into everything.”

Of Murphy, Elmore said, “He cares for all of his students and takes pride in his job and is a responsible driver. He’s very laid-back and nurturing and calm, which he has to have to be a bus driver in caring for the special needs riders.”

Employer of the Year goes to a business that chooses to employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The award for Culver’s of Seymour was accepted by General Manager Gabby Wilson.

“We appreciate Culver’s for choosing these clients to work with them and also the staff that works with them,” Elmore said. “Culver’s ensures success for all employees. Before they even opened the doors, I already had several people hired there.”

Elmore then accepted the other Employer of the Year award for his business, 4 Corners Employment Services Inc., that he started about a year and a half ago.

“For 24 years in Jackson County, I’ve helped people with intellectual disabilities find employment,” he said. “Besides finding them a job, I’m a job coach and make sure they learn the job and work along with employers to improve, learn extra skills to pick up more hours and ensure the client is always ready for employment. I appreciate it. Thank you so much. I am truly, truly honored to get this.”

The Community Service Award goes to a community member who advocates, volunteers or supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and donates their time, talents and resources.

The winners were Zach Spicer, treasurer and public relations for Special Olympics Indiana Jackson County, and Jackson Legg, a self-advoacte board member for The Arc of Jackson County.

“Zach often drives athletes to Special Olympics events or just to hang out,” Elmore said. “He also works so hard to raise money for the group so the athletes don’t have to pay to participate. He has formed true friendships, and you often hear him say that he gets more out of what they do. He supports people with disabilities in his work and his personal life.”

Legg does a little bit of everything for The Arc, from sweeping to taking out the trash to shredding papers to helping plan for events.

“He does anything that we ask, and he always has a smile on his face,” Elmore said.

Finally, Anne Baxter Caregiver of the Year goes to someone who goes above and beyond to provide care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s named in honor of the organization’s former director.

Emma Callahan, who has been a direct service provider for 34 years, was one of the award recipients.

“Thank you so much. We congratulate Emma for 34 years of service,” Elmore said. “I see her at every event, so she makes sure everybody is here.”

Lisa Whitson, who works for Help at Home and is a board member for The Arc of Jackson County, was the other winner.

“Lisa puts her clients before her own needs,” Elmore said. “She also serves as a board member here for The Arc and volunteers for many groups.”