HAPPY FATHER'S DAY FROM GOOD DADS! | | Announcing the 2024 Outstanding Dads of the Year | | | If you submitted a nomination for the 2024 Outstanding Dads of the Year contest this spring, thank you! We received submissions from across the Ozarks from sons and daughters, spouses, friends and neighbors, co-workers and many others who recognize the important role that dads play in the lives of their children.
It’s clear that Southwest Missouri has no shortage of outstanding dads, and we at Good Dads are invigorated and humbled by the outpour of support we saw from this year’s Outstanding Dads of the Year contest. | | Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Outstanding Dads of the Year | | Outstanding Dad David Anderson Springfield, MO School Counselor at Willard North Elementary and father to Dale (17), Jack (16) and Siri (14) | | | Outstanding Dad Dan Carlson Ozark, MO Sergeant with the City of Springfield Police Department and father to Eli (8) and Madelyn (5) | | | Outstanding Dad Herb Cody Nixa, MO Driver and father to Leah (20), Alex (18) and Herbie (13) | | | Outstanding Dad Nick Kueck Springfield, MO Owner & Contractor of Kueck's Contracting, LLC and father to Kira (8), Kyler (6) and newborn Kaden | | | | | Congratulations, dads! We are pleased to recognize dads in the Ozarks who go above and beyond in their roles as fathers. This year’s four honorees will be Good Dads’ distinguished guests at our annual dinner and banquet this October.
Learn a little more about each of our finalists below. But this newsletter is just the tip of the iceberg! Find full stories one each Outstanding Dad on the Good Dads website: | | | The Outstanding Dads of the Year contest helps Good Dads further its mission in promoting the roles of fathers in our homes, workplaces and communities. We welcomed submissions for biological fathers, stepfathers and father-figures. We centered this contest around career fields where because we believe fathers are often underestimated and underappreciated.
After the contest closed this May, each qualifying submission was reviewed by our evaluation committees, comprised of Ozarks community leaders. They judged each nominee on the following merits: | | | 1. Strength of character 2. Being positively involved in the life/lives of one’s child(ren) 3. Overcoming adversity and finding success 4. Giving back to one’s community 5. Role modelling excellent behavior, values and other traits to the next generation 6. Creative parenting and/or parenting under challenging circumstances 7. Parenting with humor, play and a creative attitude 8. Excellence in one’s place of employment 9. Inspiring and practicing big aspirations, goals, dreams and imaginations 10. Other ways to be an Outstanding Dad | | Outstanding Dad David Anderson | | | One of the first things you learn about David when you meet him is that he is a major outdoors enthusiast. He’s uniquely brought that love of the outdoors into his loving parenting style—coaching his children’s sports team, going camping together, hunting and fishing, and always eager to head outside to play catch.
“David exemplifies what it means to be a good dad,” said Danyel Anderson, David’s wife, in her nomination she submitted to Good Dads. “And it isn’t about big gestures or grand displays; it’s about the small things: the invaluable gift of time that he consistently gives to his children.”
The way David sees it, his responsibility as a father is to invest in his children and make sure his house is one that is full of love. He told Good Dads he was fortunate enough to grow up with a supportive family, attributing much of his happy childhood to his good mom and good dad. Because he had a great childhood, he prioritizes giving his own kids the same thing. | | Outstanding Dad Dan Carlson | | | Devotion was a common theme in the nomination Samantha, Dan's wife, submitted to Good Dads. And the word came up when we spoke to Dan, too.
To Dan, being a good dad is all about devoting everything you can to your children. He says one of the most important aspects of being a good dad is to prioritize your children and to be intentional about the time you spend balancing other responsibilities.
Samantha loves seeing Dan show love to his children every day without fail, even after sleepless nights, by saying “good morning,” asking about classes, and doing their secret handshake together before the kids have to catch the school bus.
“I’ve never known anyone to sacrifice so much personal time, yet pour everything into making sure their kids know how much they are loved and valued,” she said in her nomination. | | Outstanding Dad Herb Cody | | | Herb's youngest son, Herbie (13), nominated his dad for the contest. Herbie’s nomination was among the briefest Good Dads received, but his words are nonetheless powerful:
“My dad has taken care of me and my siblings for the past eight years after my mom’s car wreck. He’s also taken care of her. She has a traumatic brain injury.”
He described his father as awesome, funny, caring, amazing and supportive.
For the elder Herb, being a good dad means being there for his children “whenever they need me.” | | Outstanding Dad Nick Kueck | | | “(Nick’s) 100% present!” said Taylar Walker, Nick’s wife, in her nomination to Good Dads. “He’s at the dinner table and reading stories every single night. He’s always volunteering at the school. He’s hardworking, a friend to everyone and understanding,”
Being a Good Dad is not always easy, and Nick can relate to this because of his children’s special needs. But Nick’s tenacity and flexibility have become like superpowers.
“My kids and I share a genetic bone marrow failure,” Taylar explained. The stress of school and work is one thing, but it’s compounded when the family’s monthly schedule is jam-packed with check-ups, visits with specialists, and sometimes, trips to the hospital.
"He does whatever it takes, no matter what, to make sure the kids don’t have to worry or be scared,” Taylar said. | | There's plenty more where that came from! Find the full stories of each of our finalists on the Good Dads website. | | The Good Dads ... of Good Dads | | Father's Day is our favorite time of the year, and we're keeping the celebration going by honoring the Good Dads in our lives! Check out these heartwarming anecdotes contributed by Good Dads staff: | | | | | Engineer, poet, teacher, entrepreneur, scholar, and teller-of-tall-tales. That was my dad. Although he never earned a college degree, he epitomized life-long learning. When he wasn't inventing something for his job at U.S. Geological Survey or for use on our farm, he was learning how to be a better public speaker or write instructional materials for classes he taught at our church. My dad loved us—my mother and us children—in so many ways. My faith in God, love for learning, and heart for the community are all grounded in the values my father and mother instilled in me. I'm so very grateful for their influence in my life. . — Dr. Jennifer Baker, Founder and Executive Director | | | | This image captures something very special about my Dad. He truly loved to play and was always up for trying new things. Playing with your children is so powerful and my Dad instilled in us the desire to play hard, be competitive and to not fear the unknown. I embrace new experiences with anticipation, not anxiety, because of his example. Try it, you just might like it, and expect to have fun. — Lisa Strader, Dir. of Programs for At-Risk Fathers | | | | | | | I'm so proud to have been raised by a Good Dad! I recognize myself in my father every day, particularly in our shared love of the outdoors, photography, golden retrievers, and a good bargain. My dad is the smartest person I know, and he instilled in me the importance of using your head. His endless appetite for learning has certainly rubbed off on his children. Ever since my three siblings and I were young, my dad has never kept it a secret that he was proud of us. — Diana Dudenhoeffer, Director of Communications | | | | I cherish this photo of my father, Lloyd, with my brother, Jim, after a day of fishing. Lloyd said, "We didn't catch many fish, but I enjoyed spending the day with my son."
— Rhonda Andersen, Director of Training & Education | | | | | | My dad is the most consistent man I've ever met. He goes out of his way to be present and continuously puts others before himself. Love him and so blessed to have him as my dad. — Frank Tristan, Good Dads Ambassador | | | | My dad has been a truck driver my entire life. Because of that, some of the fondest memories we've shared have been of the road trips we took throughout the summers of my childhood. From Texas to California, my dad loves to drive. His life lessons, such as being "swift to hear and slow to speak," to our shared love of pro wrestling and music, we continue to communicate even while he's over the road. We don't see eye to eye on some things, but my dad always lets me know he loves me and believes in me, and for that I'm grateful. —Dora Gilreath, Communications Assistant | | | | | Many people like to honor a special father or father-figure in their live in celebration of Father's Day. Since many men already have more t-shirts and ties than they can enjoy, why not honor a special dad in your life with a gift to Good Dads?
Your gift will help us continue to expand across Missouri and beyond, creating more great communities across the country. Give online today safely and securely at the button below. | | And as always, thank you for joining us in our mission to help kids & communities one dad at a time. | | | | |
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