On Being Named Citizen of the Year by the Alabama Broadcasters Association

Patricia "Sister Schubert" Barnes

Last Friday, I attended the annual convention of the Alabama Broadcasters Association to accept the Citizen of the Year Award.

I can’t tell you how humbled I felt to accept an honor that has been given to such distinguished Alabamians as Dr. Jack Hawkins of Troy University, Bart Starr, Mother Angelica and others. Visit the ABA Web site for a complete list of winners since the award began in 1966.

I have been privileged to be able to help people through the success of Sister Schubert’s and the efforts of the Barnes Family Foundation. It seems almost too much to receive an award for work that I so enjoy.

Jim Rolling, the broadcaster who introduced me at the awards banquet, has been a part of the Sister Schubert’s story since the very beginning. As an on-air personality for WTBF Radio, he promoted our very first frozen food fair for the St. Marks Episcopal Church in Troy in 1989. It was a wonderful reminder of how far we’ve come in 20 years.

My husband George and our sons Evans and Alex accompanied me to the convention, which took place at the lovely Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Ala. The boys really enjoyed swimming in the pools. After the luncheon, they manned a table to take pre-orders for Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters. Their good manners and salesmanship made me feel so proud.

Many of the station managers and owners at the event have invited me to appear on their TV and radio stations. Watch for more appearances this spring and summer. My next stops are Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.

Until next time,