Christy Frazier-Moore, a former nominee, will be the 2022 keynote speaker for the Daily American Republic’s annual Difference Makers event. The event will take place on August 18 at the Black River Coliseum (file photo DAR)
Growing up in a small town gave Christy Frazier-Moore the opportunity to learn from those who helped others in times of need.
“Growing up in such a small town of Eminence, Missouri, I learned to value those small town values. When I moved to Poplar Bluff, when it was bigger, it still had those values” , recalls Frazier-Moore.
“For me, I’ve watched and learned from so many mentors over the years who constantly inspire me. Ed DeGaris (former police officer and mayor) is definitely at the top of my list. He had the biggest heart to make our community a better place for generations to come.
“Another is Janet McNece (co-owner of Productive Staffing). I have never met someone with such a selfless heart who is truly a cheerleader for this community and humanity in general. The two are just two examples among many others who lead (or have led) by doing.
Frazier-Moore also did her part to help others. She volunteers countless hours in the Poplar Bluff area to help make this community a better place.
She was nominated as a 2019 Difference Maker finalist. This year, on August 18 at the Black River Coliseum, Frazier-Moore will be the keynote speaker at the Daily American Republic’s fourth annual Difference Makers Banquet.
Frazier-Moore will share his thoughts on what volunteering means to our community and how we would be lost in some areas without these helpful people.
“In 2019 I was nominated as a Difference Maker. What a humbling experience. Like most nominees, philanthropic endeavors are simply born out of a passion to help others and no glory, praise or nothing is wanted or expected,” Frazier-Moore explained.
“This event showcases these folks in a way that not only thanks them for their efforts, but also showcases their organization and brings awareness and potentially more funds to help ‘do good’ in our community. I’m honored to be the 2022 Difference Makers speaker and can’t wait to see who will be featured this year.
To designate someone as Differential, go to darnews.com and fill out the form at the top of the homepage.
This year’s event kicks off at 5:50 p.m. with the Just Enough Band concert. The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The DAR asks its readers to nominate members of the community who help others by volunteering their time. The nominees will be narrowed down to 10 by a panel of judges, and those 10 will be honored on August 18 at the banquet.
A Difference Maker of the Year will be selected from the 10 finalists. The 10 finalists and the SM of the year will receive a set of prizes.
Frazier-Moore, a graduate of Three Rivers College and Southeast Missouri State University, is Vice President/Director of Mortgage Sales at Bank of Missouri.
“I oversee our frontline team of mortgage loan officers and mortgage loan assistants, and currently my team is 27 people,” Frazier-Moore said. “My primary focus is to assist our team with their business development efforts, which includes assisting with introductions or pitching when needed, managing our 18 professional MLO Facebook pages as well as managing day-to-day operations, assistance with loan applications to support our team, develop policies and procedures.
Frazier-Moore has volunteered in many areas including Rodgers Theatre, Women Aware, March of Dimes, UCAN, Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Poplar Bluff and Bright Futures.
Currently, Frazier-Moore sits on the board of trustees at Three Rivers College Endowment and volunteers with his own organization, Chi & Co.
“I partnered with Poplar Bluff Junior High and spoke to the girls about kindness, self-esteem, and basically trying to slow down the ‘mean girl’ club,” Frazier-Moore said. “Basically, I had to stop stretching and focus on where I felt I could have the most impact and focus on what I was most passionate about.”
But she stressed that she loves all things philanthropic.
“I really enjoy empowering others, especially women. I’ve had several ‘poured’ women into me and I think how much of an impact they’ve had on the way I am today. That’s what what I want to do and be for others,” she said.
Frazier-Moore added that she thinks people in general just want to know someone cares about them.
“It can be in any capacity of voluntary work. Kindness and compassion are really what it’s all about. Even watching volunteering at the Rodgers Theater. While it’s not exactly related to ‘people,’ there is nostalgia and usually that nostalgia brings happy memories,” she explained.
“For example, I remember watching movies there when I was a kid. So for me, it just makes me smile and I want the structure to be there for my kids and grandkids to enjoy in some way. The atmosphere there is unique. »
Frazier-Moore and her husband, Clayton, have two children. Jackson is 18 and attends Three Rivers College, and Kenzie Rae, 10, will be at Poplar Bluff Middle School in the fall. The family has three dogs, Alley, Blanche Devereax and Dixie, “as well as a turtle named Pickle”.
Chris is the DAR editor and can be contacted by email at [email protected].
