HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Benefit for the Bend was held on June 20 with the goal of raising $30,000 for Jeffers Bend Environmental Center in Hopkinsville while also awarding community members.

This annual fundraising event began back in 2008 in an effort to provide more resources for ongoing
operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds at Jeffers Bend. Funds also support their list of community events they host during the year which include field days, Take Kids Fishing Day, the Hummingbird Festival, Naturefest, Christmas at the Bend and more.

Older man in blue shirt presents a microphone to an older woman holding a clear award on stage.
Two people on a stage: an older man in a blue shirt passes a microphone to a woman in a green dress who is holding a framed certificate, during an award ceremony.
Two smiling adults pose with a framed award as a woman in a green dress holds a plaque, flanked by a man in black shirt and another man in light shirt.

During the benefit, their signature grilled pork chops were served and over 150 items were offered during a silent auction, according to a news release.

The following awards were distributed;

  • D.T. Porter/RC&D Person of the Year: Terry Sanders for years of community support at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center in donation of numerous hours of labor, equipment for mowing, weed eating and equipment for trimming of trees and shrubs to maintain the inviting appearance of grounds.
  • RC&D/Jeffers Bend Community Service Award: HWEA and Kenneth Whitford for providing years of labor and equipment in work at Jeffers Bend in mowing and weed eating, clean-up after the flood, construction of two pavilions, expansion of gravel lot, and support for events.
  • RC&D/Jeffers Bend Special Project Award: Arnold and Ruth Lynch for numerous years of labor, in support of Take Kids Fishing event, Naturefest, and Christmas at the Bend.
  • Jeffers Bend Chairman’s Award: Marilyn Dill for years of labor and ongoing in-kind services in support of Jeffers Bend Environmental Center in the Children’s Garden, the Botanical Garden, and other floral areas.

The event was hosted by the Pennyrile Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Council, Inc., which is a nonprofit organization that partners with the Jeffers Bend Steering Committee along with Christian County Master Gardeners and others.

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