Crisman receives Kiwanis’ Hero in Service award

When the call goes out for community volunteers, Debbie Crisman, of Bridgewater Twp., steps up to lend a hand.

At the final Montrose Kiwanis Club meeting of the year held last week, Crisman’s efforts were lauded by fellow club members, as she was presented the Kiwanis’ Hero in Service award.

Bruce Legg, who nominated Crisman for the award, said, “This is one more thing for (members) to be proud of” as he presented a shocked recipient.

Legg said there are 14,000 Kiwanis members in Pennsylvania and, of those members, only six Hero in Service awards were presented this year.

Kiwanis member Sharon Norville said she went with Crisman to get Christmas toys. “She was so excited,” Norville said.

Crisman added, “I was so glad to be able to do something for the community enough though other events were canceled.”

The Montrose Kiwanis Club coordinates an annual toy drive to bolster Susquehanna County Interfaith’s Christmas Bureau efforts to provide holiday gifts and meals to local families in need.

Crisman will be a familiar face, likely directing traffic, at the Christmas Bureau pickups scheduled for this week.

This year donations to the toy drive “wowed” Kiwanis member Ed Dewitt. Partnering with the Montrose Police Department for a Fill-the Cruiser event in the Hometown Market parking lot, community members brought enough toys to fill the vehicle – twice. Dewitt also said many who did not bring toys donated cash during the event.

Typically, according to Dewitt, the club is able to donate about $3,000 in cash to the Christmas Bureau. This year, the club – through community donations – will be contributing over $6,000 to help make Christmas a little more merry for those around the county.

Legg said Crisman is also busy with Kiwanis behind the scene – serving as the liaison with the Key Club in the Elk Lake and Montrose Area school districts; working with local non-profits; and she has served as the Montrose club’s secretary for at least the past 10 years.

Legg also points to her creation of the Daniel Crisman Memorial Park, built in honor of her son, who died on Sept. 11, 2001 in the attack on the World Trade Center. Each year on Sept. 11, a memorial service is held at the park on the Ridge Road.

Of the award, Legg said, “Six people got it in the state, and she is one of them. That impresses me.”

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