52 Faces of Community: Judy Dennis
By Holly Desrosier
Judy Dennis was graced with the gifts of compassion and patience and has selflessly shared that with those who often need it most. She took an interest in people with special needs several decades ago and has worked with them through schools, church ministries and volunteer work for most of her adult life.
Judy grew up in Muncie, Indiana, and attended Ball State University. She went back and forth on becoming a home economics teacher or a nurse, then ended up getting married and starting a family. While dating her husband, she was introduced to his brother, who was the first person with special needs that she had met. She formed a special bond with him and helped take care of him, and it was then that she recognized her calling.
52 Faces of Community: Kehli Saucier
By Holly Desrosier
Sometimes you’ve got to hit rock bottom before you can reach the top. Kehli Saucier has personally experienced that, but through her determination and an abundance of kindness and compassion for others in similar situations, she has flipped the script on her own life and is helping many people follow suit.
Kehli’s father was in the Air Force, and she had what she referred to as an average military family childhood: living in several places and never staying in one place for too long. She had always identified as a “loner,” but this was significantly exacerbated after surviving a fatal car crash in high school. She woke up after five weeks in a coma and had extensive injuries, including a broken neck and traumatic brain injury. This was just the beginning of the many physical and mental challenges she would face.
52 Faces of Community: Jo Ann Gross
By Holly Desrosier
Jo Ann Gross is engrossed with all things military. For the better part of her retirement, she has dedicated her time to giving back and showing her appreciation for service members of various generations.
Although Jo Ann never served in the military herself, her father was in the Army. She still has fond memories of admiring his uniform when she was growing up, which is what first sparked her interest in supporting members of the armed forces.
“When I was a young girl, I would go up in the attic and carefully unwrap the paper wrap protecting my father’s heavy wool Army coat and put it on, along with his hat,” she reminisced. “That coat probably weighed as much as I did. It was like a long one down to the knees. And I just felt so proud.”
52 Faces of Community: David Finn
By Holly Desrosier
Former fire chief David Finn has a burning desire to preserve his community’s rich history. From extinguishing fires early in his career to recently assisting in the conservation of the history of New Bern’s earliest fire stations, he has actively contributed to his community for much of his life.
From Middletown, New York, David began his firefighting career during his four years in the Air Force Reserve. He then became active with the Middletown Fire Department and remained there for 53 years, as well as the Howells Fire District for about 45 years. During that time, he served two terms as fire chief and four terms as fire commissioner. He also worked as the vice president of operations for Cassel Brothers Stores, Inc., a high-end clothing retailer, for 30 years before retiring.
52 Faces of Community: Bonita Simmons
By Holly Desrosier
Bonita Simmons is no stranger to the spotlight. She has been performing as an independent gospel artist since her childhood and has given performances on several prestigious stages. However, she has also used her platform as an outreach ministry to help others in need, namely incarcerated women who are looking to turn their lives around.
Bonita was born in Stamford, Connecticut, but was raised in Kinston. Her parents were from the area and wanted to raise her in the south, so they moved back down when she was about 3. Her father was a preacher, so she began singing in church at a young age and performed for a variety of community events while growing up.