GSC Executive Director Martha Buckman, center, was chosen by the Excelsior Springs City Council to receive the 2016 Missouri Municipal League Civic Leadership Award. The award was presented on July 21 by Excelsior Springs Mayor Brad Eales and Riverside Mayor Kathleen Rose, who also serves as MML Vice-President.

In 1986, when St. Ann’s St. Vincent de Paul Society brought together church members to fulfill a need for charitable assistance and giving in the community, Martha volunteered. The program grew into a community-supported organization and, in 1989, Martha became one of the first employees of the Center. Martha served as caseworker, pantry director, transitional living director, social services director and, since December 2012, serves as Executive Director.

She has also served on the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee, is an officer with the Northland Community Services Coalition, was instrumental in forming the Community Agency Roundtable, and organized a homeless discussion with public officials, schools, mental health providers and social service groups to create a plan to deal with homeless issues in our community.

Martha serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is a member of Optimists, is on the Design Committee for the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, and is chairperson on the Job Corps Community Resource Committee.