Mora, New Mexico — Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) will present the Yoneo Ono Award to Mora resident, Anita LaRan for her outstanding volunteerism at a special ceremony on August 7 at the Pedaries Resort in Mora.

RCAC recognizes LaRan for her many decades of dedication and volunteer work. Her leadership and hard work is seen throughout her community. LaRan’s efforts secured millions of dollars in funding and technical assistance for Mora County community water systems. LaRan also serves on the Rural Development Leadership Network board in New York City. She advocates for rural America at a national and international level with a delegation of community activists under the Rural Development Leadership Network sponsorship

She has served on the New Mexico North Central Economic Development Corporation board, advocating for main street projects, transportation and senior programs. She served on RCAC’s board for 12 years providing perspective on federal policies and the impacts on rural communities.

“Anita LaRan’s lifetime of service to her community and involvement in numerous efforts to improve Mora County is exactly the volunteer work we want to recognize with the Yoneo Ono Award,” said Stan Keasling, RCAC chief executive officer.

About the award
The award is named in honor of Yoneo Ono, one of RCAC’s founding fathers. During his lifetime, Yoneo Ono volunteered with dozens of organizations working to improve his community and improve the lives of rural people. In recognition of his tireless dedication and service to his community, RCAC created the award upon his 1984 retirement from the organization’s board of directors. Since then, RCAC has presented the Yoneo Ono Award to 35 outstanding rural volunteers in the 13 western states.

About RCAC
Founded in 1978, RCAC provides a wide range of community development services for rural and Native American communities and community-based organizations in 13 western states and other Pacific Islands. RCAC has strong core services and expertise in housing, environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater and solid waste), leadership training, economic development and financing. To find out more about RCAC, visit www.rcac.org.

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