Stacy Johnson, Times Record News Sunday, August 23, 2009 Ridinger was honored in part for her work on The Mane Event.
Times Record News advertising director Christy Ridinger was named a recipient of the William R. Burleigh Award for Distinguished Community Service by the E.W. Scripps Co., in part for her work on The Mane Event, a two-year public art project that raised $150,000 for three charitable organizations in Wichita Falls and served as a way to beautify the city for years to come. Ridinger, an avid volunteer with the Junior League, the Jefferson Awards, the Leadership Wichita Falls board president-elect, Petrolia ISD School Board of Trustees member and mother of five, said she was honored to receive the prestigious award from the parent company of the Times Record News. She thanked the folks who nominated her and wrote letters of recommendation for her. “I was very humbled to receive this award,” Ridinger said. “I was extremely touched by the letters sent on my behalf by some very kind people.” She said her work as co-chair for The Mane Event, where 45 life-size fiberglass horse statues were decorated by local artists and were auctioned off to benefit The Faith Mission, Patsy’s House and Wichita Falls Downtown Development to the tune of $150,000, involved several other dedicated volunteers from the Leadership Wichita Falls program over a two-year period and created life-long friendships for her. “The Mane Event committee bonded and we still work on projects together — we were able to make lifetime friends,” Ridinger said. “Belonging to an organization like that, and seeing just what they do for the community, what you can do for the organization and the relationships you gain is just so rewarding.”
Ridinger said that as a recipient of the Burleigh Award, she was given $5,000 to donate to the charity of her choice. She said she will donate her award to the Faith Mission’s Faith Refuge, a new unit designated for women and children in need. Her name will also be added to a Hall of Fame plaque at the E.W. Scripps corporate headquarters.