MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake-Othello Realtors Association held its annual banquet on Saturday July 21st. The awards recognized community members and real estate professionals in five categories.
Jeannie Austin-Cook, a member of the Moms Helping Moms Grant County WA Facebook group — and incidentally the Columbia Basin Herald receptionist — was honored as Citizen of the Year.
“I feel humbled and honored,” Austin-Cook said. “A little taken aback because what I’m doing is not intended to be recognized.”
Austin-Cook was nominated by Allison May of Better Homes and Gardens Gary Mann Real Estate for her work in the community.
Austin-Cook founded the online support group, she said, and is glad the online activity has spread to outreach in Grant County. This includes the gift drive that the group of around 3,000 people have been organizing for more than four years now. During the 2022 campaign, the group was able to provide Christmas gifts to around 200 children in the community.
“The group only succeeds thanks to the community. This group has opened my eyes to the needs of many and it’s a way for those who need help and those who can help to connect without judgement,” Austin-Cook said.
Grant County Moms Helping Moms is open to dads who might also need a helping hand, she said. It’s all about mutual support. Sales in the online group are prohibited, but gifts and requests for help or advice are permitted.
For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/MOMSHELPMOMS
Moses Lake School Board Chairman/Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr, Grant County Economic Development Board Director Brant Mayo, Richard Pullis of Agri Com Appraisals and the K-9 Unit of Grant County were also nominated for the Citizen of the Year award.
Tara Zerbo of BHG Gary Mann Realty was recognized as Realtor of the Year. Heather Adkinson and Lynn Garza of Windermere/K-2 were also nominated for this category.
LeRae Redal of Moses Lake Realty Group was honored in the Realtor Achievement category. Other nominees included Coldwell Banker Tomlinson’s Cindy Fancher, Mark Fancher, Blake Rollins and Tyson Mollotte. Lynn Garza of Windermere/K-2 was also nominated.
In the Realtor Community Service category; Kevin Burgess of Windermere/K-2 was recognized for his service to the community. Mark Fancher was also nominated for the award.
Frontier Title’s Ami Satterfield was honored as Affiliate of the Year. Other nominees included Angie Knutson of Movement Mortgage and Stewart Title of Grant County.
Editor’s Note: Additional coverage of this year’s banquet winners is in the works and will be posted as soon as we can speak with those who have been recognized.
