THOMASTON — Roberta Carmichael has been selected as the recipient of the Town of Thomaston's 2026 Spirit of America Award in recognition of her outstanding volunteerism, leadership, and dedication to serving others through the Inter-Church Fellowship Food Pantry.

The Spirit of America Award honors individuals whose commitment to community service, generosity, and compassion strengthens the lives of those around them.

"Roberta exemplifies these qualities through her tireless efforts as Food Pantry Director, where she has spent several years helping ensure that local families have access to food and essential resources," said the Town, in a news release.

The award was presented during the Thomaston Select Board meeting on June 8, 2026. During the presentation The Town provided the following reasons for Carmichael's nomination:

Behind the scenes, Roberta is the driving force that keeps the pantry operating smoothly. She coordinates volunteers, manages donations, and carefully stretches every available resource to maximize support for those in need. Her dedication often extends beyond her official responsibilities, as she regularly spends her own time shopping strategically to take advantage of sales, discounts, and special opportunities to purchase additional food and household necessities, which she then donates to the pantry.

While her impact on the community is significant, Roberta remains remarkably humble. She prefers to focus attention on the mission rather than herself. When it comes to advocating for the pantry and raising awareness of its services, she willingly steps forward, attending community events and helping ensure that those who need assistance know where to turn.

“Roberta embodies the true spirit of community service,” said Town officials. “Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others have made a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals and families throughout our area. The Town of Thomaston extends its sincere appreciation and congratulations to Roberta Carmichael for her extraordinary service and for exemplifying the values recognized by the Spirit of America Award."