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Pratt Northam Foundation Announces 2026 Don Exford
Community Service Award Recipient
Published: October 26, 2026
at 07:30 a.m.
By: Press Release
from Pratt Northam Foundation
Debbie Atkins Receives 2026 Don Exford Community
Service Award
 The Pratt Northam
Foundation is pleased to announce that in honor of her dedication to serving
the Carthage community, Debbie Atkins is the 2026 recipient of the Don
Exford Community Service Award.
A lifelong
Carthage area resident, Debbie has been an important leader, volunteer,
neighbor, and friend throughout the community. She has served on the DPAO
Board of Directors, is a 25-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary
(serving as Auxiliary President and currently serving as Jefferson County
Auxiliary Treasurer), life member of the VFW Auxiliary, and as former
Chairperson of the Carthage Area Committee serving Honor Flight Veterans,
responsible for sending 30 veterans since 2015. Debbie has been a Carthage
Chamber of Commerce Board Member, as well as serving on the board of the
Wilna-Champion Transportation Association.
In addition to
those many accomplishments, Debbie is a wife to a veteran, mother of three,
grandmother of five, and a Momma Bear to many. She is a friend to everyone
and leads fundraising efforts for citizens in need in the community.
Debbie’s
commitment to her community is evident in her current role, Director of the
Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, a role she did not seek out, but took on
out of love for and duty to the community. If you go to the Carthage Area
Chamber of Commerce website or social media, you can see Debbie in action.
Debbie exemplifies
the qualities celebrated by the Don Exford Award, consistently working to
enhance the quality of life in Carthage and beyond, demonstrating
persistence in the face of challenges and a continued commitment to
community goals.
Don Exford was
the first Executive Director of the Pratt Northam Foundation and
passionately loved his community, consistently working with others to help
our community thrive. The Pratt Northam Foundation Board of Directors agrees
that Debbie epitomizes the spirit and intent of this award. It is with
great honor they present Debbie Atkins the 2026 Don Exford Community
Service Award.
Pictured in photo
from left to right: Sarah Bullock, Executive Director of The Pratt Northam
Foundation; Stanley Atkins and Debbie Atkins, 2026 Don Exford Award
Recipient; Lydia Young, Pratt Northam Board of Directors.
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