Civilian of the Year honor given to Martin

Marsha Martin, Hopkins, was awarded Missouri’s Civilian of the Year June 27 for her charity Ben’s Stockings of Hope community involvement.

Each year, the Missouri Peace Officers Association selects one citizen in the state for their dedication to helping countless residents. Rhonda Wiederholt met Martin at speaking engagements and nominated her and her charity, Ben’s Stockings for Hope, for the award.

Ben’s Stockings of Hope was founded after a tragic accident claimed the life of her son Ben. The charity adopts families, children and elderly in the community at Christmas time. They fill handmade stockings with practical hygiene products and fun goodies and distribute them along with shoes, clothing and food.

The charity has expanded to include handmade pillowcases for young children and a shawl-like wrap with pockets for the elderly.

“I was very honored to be nominated but I don’t feel like it’s my personal award, because without my family, all of my friends and the organization that helped, this would not be possible,” said Martin.

Started in 2012, the charity has made a total of 384 stockings.

“Our family’s goal is to have this not just in northwest Missouri, but throughout the whole state of Missouri,” said Martin.

She spreads the word by speaking at organizations and victims of crime events.

“We were very proud to give her this award. She has chosen to turn a tragedy into something good,” said Georgia Johnson, assistant to the director of the Missouri Peace Officers Association.

Rhonda Wiederholt displays Ben’s Stockings of Hope while President of the Missouri Peace Officers Association Mike Wiegand presents Marsha Martin with the Civilian of the Year award.