| NOVEMBER 20, 2009 -- The National Grange honored the Meehan Family of Connecticut as the recipient of this year's "Family of the Year" award tonight at the 143rd annual National Grange convention's "Evening of Excellence." This award is designed to annually recognize one outstanding Grange family acknowledging their achievements in their local community and Grange.
The Grange is a way of life for the Meehan Family of Connecticut. All seven are members of Prospect Grange serving in almost every leadership capacity available at the local, county, and state level. In addition to leadership roles, they have helped serve meals, participated in contests, helped start an Adopt-A-Highway Program in Connecticut, and organized the Prospect Agricultural fair for over 20 years.
Recently Prospect Grange, led by the Meehan family, helped a homeless couple by providing shelter, clean clothing, food, and assisted them in successfully finding employment. They also provided furniture and other donated items for the couple's new apartment.
The Meehans are not only active in the Grange, but many other community and civic organizations assisting with activities such as building a Horseshoe Pit at the Prospect Senior Center and raising funds for community projects. "My family can teach others to be able to work together with strangers and not be afraid to use their talents and imaginations to the max to accomplish any goal," stated Jean Meehan.
In addition to the Family of the Year announcement, two other families were recognized as runners up. Both from Pennsylvania, the Anstadt Family and the Strittmatter family were also honored. The Anstadt family recently helped upgrade and improve their Grange building which is used for local community and private events. The Strittmatter family developed a local scholarship program providing nearly 300 students with scholarships totaling $30,000.
"One of my greatest pleasures is to recognize special Grange families for their dedication and leadership to our organization. Although thousands of Grange families are worthy of this prestigious award, the Meehan family has certainly exemplified our Grange mission of providing opportunities to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation through fellowship, service, and legislative change," Ed Luttrell, National Grange President stated.
The National Grange is the nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization. Originally founded in 1867, today the Grange represents nearly 200,000 grassroots Grange members affiliated with 2,700 local, county and state Grange chapters located in 40 states. Grange members provide service to agriculture and rural communities on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable rural America.
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