Geri Tucker, a community volunteer, was named the 2018 Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce “Person of the Year.”The recognition celebrates individuals who live life with a purpose to help others. Tucker has a long history of stepping in to help with projects and organizations that benefit families, children and the community.For Tucker, charity started in her childhood as the daughter of a preacher.“It’s in my Christian faith to be a servant; to serve wherever God has placed me,” Tucker said. “It’s a lifestyle. I always find joy in it — I’ve never found it a burden.”Tucker has lived in the area for about a decade. Tucker introduced Pastor Joe Purl, with the Wright City Church of Nazerene, to the Wright City Food Pantry. Purl describes Tucker as a lady of deep spirit, a gentle demeanor and a hearty depth of character.“Her organization skills juggled client names, referral contacts, donor details, and everything in between,” Purl said. “It was her leadership that directed this pantry each week and gave regular guidance to the many in need. Week in and week out families were sustained because of her efforts,”The program was efficiently run with donations and helping up to 30 families a day with the essentials. Volunteers were there with needed supplies.“I saw volunteers at work — packing boxes, sorting supplies — as a labor of love. Those who walked out the door left with something to feed their family and a sense of relief,” Purl said of his first visits to the food pantry.When Tucker asked Purl to be the pastoral liaison for the food pantry, Tucker offered to teach him the ins and outs of running the food pantry.“She mentored me in the ways of helping, mercy, grace and compassion for the needy alongside an expectation that each client reach their God given potential,” he said. “I absorbed the processes, I learned names, I met new people, I observed miraculous donations come in and blessings go out.”Purl added that her dedication to the food pantry makes a huge impact on the community, bit Tucker’s contributions are more far reaching.“She (had mentored) a generation of children long before I came along. That hearty personality, deep spirit of faith, and strong character had been at work previously as a paraprofessional speaking into young lives and opening their eyes to the gifts they possess. A generation in Wright City has been raised up under the influence of this quite focused leader.”Tucker as a community volunteer and leader is humbled by the attention and the title Person of the Year.“I know people who have received this honor,” she said. When she received the honor, she thought, “Me? Along with them? No way.”Tucker works full time for an insurance company in Wentville. Her spare time if filled with family, friends, and volunteer work to “lighten their load” and “let them know someone cares.”She said her family is supportive.She thinks more people should get involved because the rewards are substantial.“This is a great community with so many opportunities to get involved,” Tucker said. “The least you can do will make a difference in your community.”

Each year at Strassenbash Festival, the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a dedication to community and helping others. Pictured here, from left, are Pastor Joseph Purl, Person of the Year Geri Tucker, and Chamber Vice President Kim Arbuthnot and President Kelly Hill.

Record photo/Adam Rollins