The Effingham Chamber of Commerce gives a prestigious award, The Treutlen Award, to a citizen who has exemplified a dedication of service to the community and exhibits concern to help make Effingham County a better place to call home.

This honor was bestowed upon Gussie Nease last week. This selection is a bell-ringer for Chamber. Gussie never saw a good cause that she would not lend a hand to. This includes her family’s dedication to help a young man get into Bethesda and soar. He earned a scholarship to Emory University and has graduated, giving their support all along the way.

Her community activities ranged from being one of several folks who started the Chamber. Other activities in which she took an active part, included are the United Way, the Veterans Park, Victim-Witness Program, the Springfield library, and on and on. But bright spot where she reached for the stars and was big part in making it happen is the Mars Theatre. And, as you can guess it means raising money.

For the last several years, at any event, you would find Gussie with her table, chair and jar for donations to the Mars. These efforts individually didn’t bring in big sums but when put together it was part of why the renovation of the Mars was such a beautiful success.

Gussie runs her own appraisal business and is always very busy with that work, but she always has time to try to help when some of her expertise would be helpful or just give them a listening ear.

Gussie’s nature is to do good, If we could pattern hearts in ourselves and others with the giving spirit she has, it would be wonderful.
The wonderful part is that we have Gussie Nease in Effingham and she is willing to try to help needs that seen as important activities/events for the county.

Thanks, Gussie, you are great and your many friends are pleased to see you so honored.

Ruth Lee