Mayor Anders Presents Auburn Lamplighter Awards

The city honored five community leaders for their service during the annual State of the City Address.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Civic

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a brass lantern on a wooden pedestal, representing community service and guidance. — Mayor Ron Anders honored five community leaders with the Lamplighter Awards during the annual State of the City Address in Auburn. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mayor Ron Anders presented Lamplighter Awards to five local residents in recognition of their contributions to the Auburn community. The ceremony took place at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.

Why it matters

These awards serve to highlight individuals who provide essential services to local organizations and support the city's civic health. The recognition honors those who have demonstrated leadership in roles ranging from youth development to housing advocacy.

The honorees include leaders managing 304 housing units and 280 tenant-based vouchers, while other recipients have helped produce over 50 Eagle Scouts. These figures represent the scope of influence held by the recognized community members.

The players

Ron Anders

Ron Anders serves as the Mayor of Auburn and led the presentation of the annual city service awards.

Paul Esposito

Paul Esposito acts as the director of the Veterans Resource Center at Auburn University.

Honey Folk

Honey Folk is the executive assistant to the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama.

MC McCarthy

MC McCarthy is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel recognized for community service.

Sharon Tolbert

Sharon Tolbert serves as the CEO of the Auburn Housing Authority and manages local housing assistance programs.

The details

Recipients include Veterans Resource Center director Paul Esposito, Boys & Girls Clubs assistant Honey Folk, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel MC McCarthy, Boy Scout leader Jonathan Middleton, and housing official Sharon Tolbert. Sharon Tolbert currently oversees efforts to transition residents from subsidized to nonsubsidized housing programs.

October 28, 2026: The Mayor presented the Lamplighter Awards.

Industry Dynamics

The awards reflect a broader commitment to public service roles that parallel the objectives of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Choice Voucher Program. The recognition of these leaders follows a trend of local institutions aligning their mission with national administrative standards.

The awards highlight the specific leaders and organizations currently responsible for managing critical city services in Auburn. Residents can engage with these entities to seek support from the Veterans Resource Center, youth clubs, or local housing initiatives.

The takeaway

Recognizing local leaders reinforces the importance of civic participation in maintaining community infrastructure. Residents interested in service can contact the cited organizations to learn about ongoing volunteer opportunities.