Each year, The Democrat sets aside a little time and some newsprint to do something important — highlight some of the people in our community who are truly the salt of the earth.

Inside today’s printed edition, you’ll find the The Natchez Democrat’s 2014 Citizen of the Year and Unsung Heroes.

The Citizen of the Year is an honor our newspaper has bestowed upon a deserving local resident since 1986 when the late Sidney Murray earned the first award.

This year’s honor goes to a man who has been quite successful in his business ventures, but has been equally generous of his time and money to local causes.

David Paradise is a Natchez native who, like many of us, came from humble beginnings, but who no doubt made the best of the blessings he was given — in his case an amazing mother who largely raised him on her own.

Paradise was pivotal, Church Hill transplant Tate Taylor said, in helping to bring the primary filming of a major Hollywood film to Natchez.

The impact the filming of “Get On Up” had on Natchez’s economy in 2013 was profound.

Paradise’s friend Dr. Randy Tillman summed up the man’s work by saying, “He works for good without claiming credit. That’s his nature.”

That says a lot about the man, doesn’t it?

But Paradise is only one of nine people honored in today’s edition. Eight other local residents receive The Natchez Democrat’s 2014 Unsung Hero award.

While The Democrat’s staff selects the Citizen of the Year honoree, the Unsung Heroes come from nominations in the community.

These people are among my favorites. In most cases, Unsung Heroes simply give back for the good of others.

These are people like Charlie Thomas, a retired IP worker and military veteran. He’s done good deeds from Natchez to Africa and back, volunteering to help others in any way.

Thomas’ volunteer spirit is the same one that’s shared by many of those honored as Unsung Heroes.

Among this year’s eight recipients, Julia Mae Griffin keeps giving back, despite being 82 years young.

Griffin has been a foster mother to two children earlier in life and now volunteers her time at the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center.

Each year our selection of wonderful residents with volunteerism and benevolence in their hearts always inspires me.

None of these are people who just sit around and wait for something to happen, these people are doers.

As you read through this year’s recipients, if you find yourself thinking about someone you know who would qualify for next year’s honor, please drop me a line and let me know.

Because by their nature these people don’t seek out attention, it takes those close to them to help identify them so others can be inspired by their work.

This year’s crop of unsung heroes is filled with some great people. They carry on a tradition that dates by nearly three decades.

If you look on the back of the section that honors the Citizen of the Year and Unsung Heroes for this year, you’ll see a list of past recipients. That list is a hall of fame of sorts for the great people who have lived in our community over the last few decades.

Those people — past and present recipients — make me proud to live in Natchez and call it home.

 

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.