The Community Service Youth Foundation will award John Maus the 2019 Steve Willbanks Award for outstanding service to youth at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, in the multipurpose building at the Conway County Fair Grounds. 

“John Maus gives his heart and time to many,” said Susan Okroglic, CSI president/chief executive officer. “CSI is honored to have John’s many years of dedication and support.” 

Maus is a lifelong resident of Conway County, and graduated in 1981 from Sacred Heart, where he currently serves as president of the school board. He also serves as president of the Sacred Heart Parish Council and was co-chair of a $3 million school and church renovation project. In addition, he was named the 2017 Sacred Heart Alumnus of the Year. Maus graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 1985, and is now manager of Maus Implement Co. and Maus Farms.  

Maus is also active in the community, participating in several civic activities. He has served as past co-chair for Community Service Inc.’s historic Cajun Night, has coached baseball and softball for the Morrilton Youth Association, serves as board chairman for Community Service Properties, and is a member of the ASU Beebe Ag-Tech advisory board and UACCM Board of Visitors. He is a Conway County Farm Bureau member and past president, Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce past board president, Conway County Legal Beverage Association board member, and Pope County Arkansas River Levee board member.

Professionally, in addition to being manager of Maus Implement Co and Maus Farm, he serves on the Petit Jean State Bank Board of Directors and is the Mid-West/Southeastern Equipment Dealers board chairman.  

He and his wife, Lynlee, have four children – J.B., Hamp, Stephen and Anna Lee.  

The award was established in 2011 to honor Willbanks for his more than 40 years of leadership as CSI president/CEO.  

Guests will enjoy music, a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks.   

All proceeds benefit the Community Service Youth Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Community Service, Inc. Tickets are $50 each and may be obtained by calling 501.354.4589 or at csiyouth.com. Sponsorships are also available. 

Past honorees of the award include Raymond Chambers, Judy Calhoun, Gwen Massingill, Katherine Foust, Judge Jimmy Hart, Charles Penick, Dustin McDaniel and John Gibson.  

Community Service Inc. offers a variety of programs, including prevention and education, therapeutic foster care, day treatment for students who are not able to function in a normal school setting, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, First Tee Character Development, Youth Leadership, Mentoring and Tutoring and juvenile justice to reduce repeat offences. 

CSI has locations in nine counties in west and central Arkansas, including Conway, Cleburne, Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Stone, Van Buren and Yell counties. Last year, more than 1,300 youth were helped.