Since joining the organization, Ms. Merrill has been pivotal in launching several satellite locations in remote areas.
CONCORDIA, KS, November 07, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Tonya G. Merrill has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Highly successful in the nonprofit sector, Ms. Merrill has been the executive director of the Cloud County Resource Center in Concordia, Kansas, managing all aspects of its operations since 2016. Among a range of responsibilities, she ensures that the organization runs efficiently, that its food banks are all operational, and that ongoing events are successful, including its annual back-to-school bag projects and various holiday programs. Ms. Merrill also oversees multiple other services, including its bill pay assistance for those needing help paying their monthly utilities.
Recognized as a charitable organization, the Cloud County Resource Center benefits the county and the general public through philanthropic efforts. Dedicated to serving the community, the Center strives to serve as responsible stewards of all donations while also accommodating the programming preferences of its constituents. The organization is also enthusiastic about introducing innovative initiatives and providing more sustainable programs that accommodate the ongoing needs of the people. The Center notably accepts donations from the public and offers volunteer positions.
Since joining the organization, Ms. Merrill has been pivotal in launching several satellite locations in remote areas. The Center previously lacked any presence in the smaller towns, making it challenging for the residents to access food aid. After initiating a project to address the issue and calling upon several individuals to collaborate with her, every satellite community in the county now features an emergency pantry. Ms. Merrill has also provided additional food assistance by increasing the number of visits a person or a family can make to a food pantry every 60-90 days to once per month. To be eligible, one must be a resident of Cloud County, show proof of address and identification, and meet basic income guidelines.
Ms. Merrill aims to establish a robust digital presence by 2024 so that residents can become more aware of the nonprofit's various programs and effortlessly learn about its ongoing events. She is also interested in turning the Center's programming into a community center-type atmosphere by offering family-oriented nights and child and teen nights. Ms. Merrill has already piloted family game nights, adult craft nights and cooking classes, children's creative writing groups, after-school programming, and other concepts.
Presently working on her first book, Ms. Merrill aims to complete it next year. "Local Haunts" comprises local ghost stories from within her county. Ms. Merrill actively gives back to her community as a parishioner, secretary, and treasurer at the Trinity United Methodist Church. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Cornell College and a Master of Arts in English from Southern New Hampshire University.
Honoring her accomplishments, Ms. Merrill received an Appreciation Award from the Abate Toy Run, a Safe Kids Kansas Award, and a Friend of Pawnee Mental Health Service Award in 2023. She has also been featured on the NCK 94.9 radio station several times for her contributions to the Center. Ms. Merrill notes her hard work, determination, and persistence to much of her professional success.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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