Mound City banker honored for promoting kindness

F & M Bank president Jeff Dawson was honored for his behind-the-scenes work in promoting kindness followng the premiere of a movie that his bank co-sponsored. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

BLUE MOUND – The president of Mound City-based F & M Bank was presented an award for having done the most to promote kindness following the premiere of “Cultivating Kindness,” at the Blue Moon theater on Sunday, April 27.

Jeff Dawson, who has preferred to remain in the background while the bank co-sponsored a 21 week campaign to recognize students in all three Jayhawk USD 346 schools for their acts of kindness sponsored the 18-minute video. Dawson who has worked to build a coalition of area businesses and promoted music events to bring the community together, was given the award.

Dozens of area residents visited in the lobby of the Blue Moon theater following the premiere of the movie and presentations.

About 90 people attended the event and heard Sue Vicory, an independent filmmaker who produced the video, give Dawson credit for his behind-the-scenes work. Jeff Dawson was introduced by his son, Rece Dawson, in a speech that was laced with admiration and at time emotion.

When Jeff Dawson spoke, he attributed his motivation to his faith in God.

“Your faith is your most important walk,” he said, adding that it was particularly noteworthy that the award was being presented on Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday following Easter.

From left, Joining Rece and Jeff Dawson on stage were Jeff’s wife, Deann Dawson who was interviewed in the movie; their daughter Taylor Snyder, a videographer who shot and edited the movie; and Brea Dawson, their daughter who is a student at Jayhawk-Linn High School .

In addition to viewing the 18-minute movie, the audience heard Jayhawk-Linn Junior High student recite an original poem, Mound City resident Shayna Lamb discussing plans under way on a garden promoting kindness, and Mike Murray promoting a golf tourney that will raise funds for the Mound City Historical Society.

According to Vicory, the movie will be available for streaming for free on Mound City's official website sometime in May. She said she also plans to enter the movie on the film festival circuit.