At Friday’s Carmel Rotary Luncheon, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard presented the Pillar of the Community Award to Ila Badger. Badger is an active supporter of Carmel Clay Schools and its sports programs, Carmel Dads’ Club and CarmelFest.
Due to health issues, Ila Badger was not able to attend. Mayor Brainard was kind enough to pose for the Reporter’s camera with the award. (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)
“Growing up in a small town in northern Indiana, I can tell you that any community – no matter how big it gets – can only function with the help of dedicated citizens who treat their hometown as family,” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said at the award presentation. “Ila Badger was one of those kinds of people … perhaps one of the greatest Carmel has ever seen. Whether you spent any time at the Carmel Farmers Markets, a Carmel Dads Club soccer game or perhaps a Carmel High School sports event, you probably saw Ila doing what she did best — volunteering. A Carmel resident since 1968, Ila was known for always emitting a spirit of warmth, good cheer, positive attitude and a great love for our city.”
The Pillar of the Community Award was created in 2014 by Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard to honor an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to Carmel’s business, civic, social, educational and cultural communities within the city of Carmel. This signature award reflects the recipient’s total commitment to our mission of creating a warm and welcoming city, infused with a spirit of volunteerism and good will.
Like a stone pillar, the recipient of the Pillar of the Community Award will be one who has stood tall, upright and sturdy, through all challenges. Upon this pillar, many things can be built and many are sustained by his or her presence. Like a pillar of belief, the recipient of the Pillar of the Community Award will hold true to fundamental principles or practices, his or her words of wisdom and his or her actions accepted as true as a basis for reasoning or conduct as it pertains to taking on the challenge at hand.
Mrs. Badger was unable to accept the award in person because of health issues.
(From left) Sharleen Miller, Stacey Kieran, Shell Barger and Denise Moe were pleased to attend Friday’s Rotary Luncheon. (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)
(From left) City Councilor Bruce Kimball and City Councilor Ron Carter were joined by two Carmel Rotarians at Friday’s Rotary Luncheon. (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)