DAR bestows community service award to Mansfield

During its weekly meeting on Wednesday, the West Point Horseshoe Robertson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gave an honor to someone who has done her part in making the community visually appealing for all.

Local artist Deborah Mansfield was honored by the DAR with their first community service award they had given in a long time.

“We feel that this is a very deserved award,” said DAR member Brenda Edwards. “Mrs. Deborah Mansfield has worked wonders on the walls of West Point. From Ohio to Houston, Texas, Mansfield looked for a special place such as a small town with a university nearby and a great golf course, and West Point really fit the bill for her.”

Mansfield's first West Point mural was on the Cash & Carry Cleaners building on Main Street, which Edwards says was done “so beautifully and inspired many more.”

Jane Smith of the chapter committee was given the job of picking out someone to bestow the community service award to. Smith says this award is very special to earn and it doesn't come easy because there is an intricate process for approval.

“In order to get approval, you must thoroughly document in writing the contributions that the candidate has made to the city. It must be accompanied with photographs, official documentation of what you have written with letters of recommendation,” said Smith. “Let me just say right now if we wrote down everything Deborah had done for this town, we could never do it because we'd all be dead. So, the focus of this was in her community service, her murals, her beautification of Zuber Park, the wonderful fundraiser she did fill out the arts council with the recreation of the dogs playing poker, and even the fire house looks cute.”

While they focused on those things, Smith said they could never say all the things Mansfield has done in West Point.

While she was very honored to have received such an award, Mansfield couldn't take all the credit for doing what she loves.

“I'm very honored. I wish I could say I've done it all by myself, but I haven't. I've had so many people help me,” said Mansfield. “It's great to win an award, but it's even greater to win one for something you love to do.”