Bartlett receives coveted Lew & Sandy Shaffer Award

AZLE — Each year since 2012, the Azle Area Ministerial Alliance has presented the Lew and Sandy Shaffer Award to an individual or couple who has made significant contributions to the community while displaying the love of Christ in their daily walk. Presented during the AAMA’s annual Follow The Flag event each July 4, the award honors the late Lew Shaffer, co-founder of Son Shine Ministries and founder of Follow The Flag, and his devoted wife, Sandy. The couple was the first recipient of the award in July 2012.

Terri Bartlett, director of the Good N.E.W.S. Living at Home Program, received the 2024 Lew and Sandy Shaffer Award, which was presented by AAMA President Alton Davis. For more than 20 years, Bartlett has run the Good N.E.W.S. nonprofit organization, which offers services and resources like transportation, friendly visits, light household chores and more to allow Azle-Springtown area seniors to more comfortably age in place.

“What a surprise,” Bartlett said in an email to the Tri-County Reporter. “Receiving such a special award is genuinely humbling, and knowing Lew and Sandy Shaffer makes it all the more special. Living in a community that values Christlike service and supports the many ministries that care for others is also a great honor.”

In June, the program celebrated its 27^th year of servicing the community’s elderly. It now provides help for 168 people, a new record Bartlett said.

“This growth is a testament to the increasing need for our services as the population ages,” Bartlett said. “We receive calls daily for help and are committed to meeting this demand within the limits of our resources… One of our many projects is the household bag delivery. We collect household items such as dish soap, laundry pods, shampoo, body wash, hand soap, toilet paper, etc., and deliver them to the seniors' homes quarterly. As the number of seniors increases, additional items are needed to complete the bags. With the struggles of a sluggish economy, donations have decreased, making the bags harder to fill.  Also, the need for volunteers is more significant so we can continue to provide all services at no cost to the seniors on the program.”

Good N.E.W.S. is located at the One Azle building at 412 Commerce St. and can be reached at (817) 444-2300.

Bartlett joins the list of honored recipients of the coveted award:

• 2012: Lew and Sandy Shaffer
• 2013: Azle PD Chaplain and retired pastor Glyn Murphy.
• 2014: Retired AISD Director of Administration Ray Ivey.
• 2015: Retired AHS Principal and Azle city council member Rouel Rothenberger Jr.
• 2016: Dr. Paul Brownback, senior pastor of The Abbey Church.
• 2017: Lee Sipe, pastor of First Baptist Church Azle.
• 2018: Retired Lt. Col. Stoney Stonebraker, longtime supporter of the AAMA.
• 2019: Tim Stevens, former pastor of Azle First Assembly.
• 2020: Longtime former AAMA Treasurer Nate Simmons.
• 2021: Paul and Amy Collins, staff members and marriage ministers at Son Shine Ministries.
• 2022: David and Daniele Shaffer; David is president of Son Shine Ministries, where he and Daniele serve together in marriage ministry.
• 2023: Kim Ware, Tri-County Reporter publisher.
• 2024: Terri Bartlett, director of Good N.E.W.S Living at Home Program.