Boys & Girls Town Honors St. James Resident Vernon Salter
with Harry G. Neill Founders Award
St. James, Mo. (February 29, 2008) – Boys & Girls Town of Missouri has awarded Vernon Salter, interim South Central Region vice president, with the Harry G. Neill, Jr. Founders Award.
The Harry G. Neill, Jr. Founders Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to Boys & Girls Town of Missouri.
Salter came to Boys & Girls Town as a shop teacher in 1971 and has given his heart and his life to Boys & Girls Town children for 37 years. He filled dozens of roles at the agency throughout his career at Boys & Girls Town and positively influenced the lives of thousands of children.
“Vernon’s diligence, loyalty and perseverance in task every minute, every day, no matter how tedious or overwhelming, in order to help troubled children, remains as steadfast today as his first day on campus 37 years ago,” said Greg Christoffel, chair, Boys & Girls Town of Missouri board of directors.
Salter joins an elite group of dedicated individuals earning the honor. The award is not awarded annually and has traditionally been awarded to a member of the board.
Harry G. Neill, Jr. was one of seven members of American Legion Post 484 to explore the feasibility of sponsoring a Missouri branch of the Trail Rangers, a branch which led to the founding of what officially became known as Boys Town of Missouri in1949. Neill was a member of the agency’s board of directors, later serving as president and chairman.
Salter and his wife, Kathy, reside in St. James. |
