METROPOLIS, IL — The Metropolis community gathered last night to celebrate a lifetime of dedication as Karla Ogle was named the recipient of the Les Easterday Community Service Award. The surprise announcement took place during a Metropolis Rotary Club meeting, followed by a formal recognition at the Annual Metropolis Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Ogle, who was lured to the Rotary meeting under the impression she was presenting a program on the John Marvin Steele Statue and WWII Memorial brick sales, expressed her shock and gratitude. “Well done, Lisa Davis,” Ogle joked, reflecting on the clever ruse used to ensure her attendance.
A Legacy of Service
For Ogle, the award is a reflection of over four decades of deep-rooted commitment to Massac County. Her resume of service reads like a history of the community’s most vital organizations:
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Business Owner: 42+ years
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Chamber of Commerce: Member for 35+ years (former President and Vice President)
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Superman Celebration: Over 25 years of involvement
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Zeta Zeta: 37-year member
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Heroes of Massac Endeavors: Current President (3 years)
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Scouting: Over 30 years with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
“Listening to the words written about why I should receive this award really stirred a lot of memories and feelings,” Ogle shared. “I tend to have a long relationship with career, events, and organizations and have been passionate about them all.”
The “Feel-Good” Moments
While Ogle acknowledged the “moving mountains” and “creating miracles” often required to keep community events rolling—comparing it at times to “trying to keep the wheels on while rolling down a big ole hill with no brakes”—she maintained that she wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
She highlighted the emotional weight of her work, from delivering Thanksgiving baskets to families in need to receiving a heartfelt hug from a mother struggling to provide Christmas presents. She also noted the joy of seeing families return year after year to events like the Zeta Easter Egg Hunt, where some attendees have participated for over 15 years.
“There’s nothing in the world better than those ‘feel-good’ moments,” Ogle said. “Everyone should experience them on a regular basis.”
A Call to Action
Ogle concluded her remarks by encouraging others to find their own path to service, whether through church groups, civic organizations, or simply spending an hour at a local animal shelter or nursing home.
“I am thankful,” she stated, “for my family who always encouraged volunteering… for the best sister in the world who’s always been my biggest support system… and mostly I’m thankful for this feel-good moment I’m having right now.”
About the Les Easterday Award
The Les Easterday Community Service Award is one of the community’s most prestigious honors. Presented annually by the Metropolis Rotary Club in partnership with the Metropolis Area Chamber of Commerce, the award recognizes a Massac County resident who embodies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” It is named in memory of the late Leslie “Les” Easterday, a dedicated civic leader and Rotarian who was famous for his remarkable record of 50 years of perfect attendance at Rotary meetings. The award serves to honor those who, like Easterday, have enriched the community through extensive public service and volunteerism.
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