By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Local Auctioneer Junior Staggs was presented with the Loyal Patriot’s Award by Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway for his service this year to the Henry County Helping Hand Auction. The Loyal Patriot Award is the highest award that can be bestowed on a Henry County citizen.
Ridgeway said he presented the award to Staggs “because he single-handedly kept the tradition of a Helping Hand Auction going this year. He donated over 80 hours or more and kept the tradition going for us.”
The award presentation was made at the Paris Convention Center where pick-ups of items sold during Friday’s auction were happening. Ridgeway wanted the award to be a surprise for Staggs and also wanted board members to be present.
Even with the changes which had to be made with Helping Hand this year due to the ongoing pandemic, the annual Auction has raised over $200,000 so far–and still counting. The monies have been raised through generous donations by organizations and citizens as well as the virtual auction, which Staggs organized.
Helping Hand President Stacy Hayes said Helping Hand will be accepting donations through February 28th in all formats.
Photo by Stacy Hayes.