Association honors locals at real estate banquet
Jeannie Austin-Cook, right, was recognized for her commitment to the Grant County Community at this year’s Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors annual banquet on Saturday. Austin-Cook is the founder and one of the admins of a local Facebook group that works to support parents in Grant County. Tammi Canfield, president of the association, who presented the award is pictured on the left.
COURTESY STEFANIE BLAURET VIA JEANNIE AUSTIN-COOK
Jeannie Austin-Cook stops for a photo with her plaque recognizing her for her work in the community. She was nominated for the award by Allison May of Better Homes and Gardens Gary Mann Real Estate in Moses Lake.
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors held their annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 21. The awards recognized community members and real estate professionals in five categories.
Jeannie Austin-Cook, a member of the Moms helping moms of Grant County WA Facebook group — and incidentally the receptionist at the Columbia Basin Herald — was honored as the Citizen of the Year.
“I feel humbled and honored,” Austin-Cook said. “A little taken aback because what I do isn’t about being recognized.”
Austin-Cook was nominated by Allison May of Better Homes and Gardens Gary Mann Real Estate for her work in the community.
Austin-Cook founded the online support group, she said, and is glad that the online activity has spread into outreach around Grant County. That includes the gift drive the group of about 3,000 people has done for more than four years now. During the 2022 drive, the group was able to provide Christmas presents to about 200 children in the community.
“The group is only successful because of the community. This group has opened my eyes to the needs of many and this is a way for those who need help and those who can help get connected without judgment,” Austin-Cook said.
Moms helping moms of Grant County is open to fathers who could use a hand as well, she said. It’s all a matter of supporting one another. Sales in the online group are prohibited, but gifts and asking for assistance or advice are permitted.
For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/MOMSHELPMOMS
Also nominated for Citizen of the Year were Moses Lake School Board President/Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr, Grant County Economic Development Council Director Brant Mayo, Richard Pullis of Agri Com Appraisals and the Grant County K-9 unit.
Tara Zerbo of BHG Gary Mann Realty was recognized as Realtor of the Year. Heather Adkinson and Lynn Garza of Windermere/K-2 were also nominated for that category.
LeRae Redal of Moses Lake Realty Group was honored in the Realtor Achievement category. Other nominees included Cindy Fancher, Mark Fancher, Blake Rollins and Tyson Mollotte of Coldwell Banker Tomlinson. Lynn Garza of Windermere/K-2 was also nominated.
In the Realtor Community Service category; Kevin Burgess of Windermere/K-2 was recognized for his service to the community. Mark Fancher was also nominated for the award.
Ami Satterfield of Frontier Title was honored as Affiliate of the Year. Other nominees included Angie Knutson of Movement Mortgage and Stewart Title of Grant County.
Editor’s note: Additional coverage of the awardees at this year’s banquet is in the works and will be published as soon as we can speak with those who were recognized.
