Monday | September 16, 2024

In a town of a little over 500 people, better known as the “Cranberry Capital of Wisconsin,” Warrens is home to a special community-focused individual. Whether it’s bringing family and neighbors together for various holiday celebrations or coordinating youth summer activities, Selena Meacham is instrumental in carrying out community events. Therefore, Selena Meacham was recently presented the Oakdale Electric Cooperative Selfless Service Award.

A lifelong Warrens resident, Selena is the secretary of the Warrens Area Youth Association (WAYA), has operated her personal cleaning business for over 25 years, and is on the Warrens Area Foundation Board of Trustees. While planning year-round activities for WAYA, Selena is also a full-time wife and mother to two daughters.

Through fundraising efforts, Selena was instrumental in establishing the playground at Warrens Ball Park and continues to maintain the equipment and grounds. During the summer months, she coordinates youth activities including T-ball once a week, the kickball program, and swimming lessons held at Three Bears Resort.

Various youth gatherings put on by WAYA and directed by Selena are the Easter breakfast, Fourth of July celebration, and the Halloween party. Her specialty is providing kid and family-friendly activities, snacks, games, and more. You may even see Selena with an extra hop in her step around Easter.

To round out the year, WAYA arranges a Christmas party in conjunction with the Warrens community meal. With a youth flair, the party is complete with a kid-friendly menu, decorations, and viewing of the Redneck Christmas tree contest entries where the public can vote for their favorite in various categories. The party is in conjunction with Hope for the Holidays, which is for families in need. Anonymous families can register, and Hope for the Holidays will provide Christmas gifts and a full Christmas dinner meal.

Selena was nominated by Warrens community member Nodji VanWychen. “Selena is extremely resourceful and talented in how she can easily gain volunteers for various events,” Nodji shared. “She has a big heart, and it shows through her devotion to the youth activities and overall passion in making the community a better place to live.”

The award was presented on August 14, in conjunction with the Warrens Community Meal and ribbon cutting for the new addition on the Lion’s Community Log Building. Fellow Warrens Area Foundation board member Sara Moseley concluded, “Selena has been fundamental in the creation of the foundation, and we’ve learned she is both a visionary and a do-er in making all the dreams come to fruition.”

Next deadline for SSA nominations is Friday, September 20.