Each year the Callaway County United Way honors a local supporter with the Kevin Ryan Memorial Award.
This year, Fulton Head Start Director Donisha Ray was named as the recipient.
"I was shocked," said Ray, who has been with the Fulton Head Start since 1999. "I thought I was doing an interview, and then they started reading the information about Kevin Ryan, and I realized it wasn't just an interview."
According to a United Way press release, Ray was an obvious choice for the award.
"There was one person who has continued to go above and beyond for her community and especially the Callaway County United Way," the release states. "She has volunteered her time, energy, efforts and money to the United Way and has benefited more people than she probably imagines."
Callaway United Way spokesperson Peg Dzicek added Tuesday that Ray's continuous efforts to generate support for the organization are what made her stand out.