By by Tim Cottrell
Myrna Monroe is best known for putting others before herself and expecting no recognition in return.
The Atmore resident received some much-deserved recognition earlier this month after being awarded this year's Rotary Service Above Self award for her contributions to the community.
According to Rotarian Nancy Helton, Monroe is always doing for someone or some cause.
"Myrna has just done so much for different events and organizations," Helton said. "She is always doing something for someone; the American Cancer Society, the Heart Association, Lions and others. She's done a lot. She has never asked for any recognition and never does."
Rotary president Elsie Butler said the Service Above Self award is given to someone in the community who does things above and beyond and never asks for anything in return.
"They're kind of out of the spotlight and do things that no one knows about," Butler said.
A committee of Rotary Club members selected the person in the community they felt did the most in the community with the least amount of acknowledgement. That person was Monroe.
"The award is for making the community a better place to live and it recognizes service achievements," Butler said. "She received it because of her volunteer work through her church and the Relay for Life and all the other things she does."
Monroe has been active in the community for years.
"I've known Myrna for years," Helton said. "I went to school with her daughter. She did a lot of things then like make majorette uniforms and help make things for the students and she did a lot in the school. She is just a great person. She is always so thoughtful and caring for people. She doesn't like to receive recognition, but just does things out of the goodness of her heart."
Helton presented the Service Above Self Award to Monroe.
"Our nominee has worked hard at several local businesses," Helton said in her speech. "Including using her organizational skills to help a new business get started and become a viable on-going business. She maintains her interest in local government and events. She does her best to improve the quality of life in Atmore through each cause she elects to support, making Atmore a better place for it. When her children were growing up she actively helped with school carnivals, PTAs, band parents, or whatever her children needed from seamstress to cooking. In recent years our nominee has been an active member of American Cancer Society's Relay for Life teams and committee and been a board member of the Atmore United Fund. She leads her band of volunteers in having pancake suppers to raise money for the Cancer Society, Heart Association and Lions Club and has served in the Methodist church choir, ladies circle, and in other areas of her church."
When asked how she felt about the award Monroe showed one of the most important qualities of a Service Above Self recipient; she didn't want it made into a big deal.
"Of course I'm honored," Monroe said. "I was surprised to say the least. People always say, 'I didn't deserve that' when they receive an award like this, and I don't really feel like I do. That's not why you do anything like that."