By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Detective Jamie Shoemaker, with the Geneseo Police Department, was the keynote speaker at the Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast held May 2 at Geneseo First Methodist Church.

She shared information about the “IMPACT Task Force,” and about Geneseo as a “Dementia Friendly Community,” a title which is given through the Dementia Friendly America group and works in coordination with the Geneseo Police Department’s efforts to raise awareness of mental health conditions in the area.

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, is sponsored by the Geneseo Ministerial Association and is open to all area residents. The Ministerial Association serves the entire Geneseo School District, including Atkinson.

The Rev. Laura Kamprath, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo, is president of the Geneseo Ministerial Association.

In addition to Detective Shoemaker, other speakers included the Rev. Dr. Chris Ritter, Geneseo First Methodist Church; Geneseo Police Chief Casey Disterhoft; Michael Sigwalt, Director of the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry and GMA secretary.

Cathy Runty, First Lutheran Church, gave the prayer for State and National Government; Linda VanDerLeest, Geneseo First Methodist Church, gave the prayer for Local Government and First Responders; George Farley gave the prayer for the Military; Ed Kiefer, First Congregational Church, gave the prayers for agriculture and business; Ted McAvoy, St. Malachy Church, gave the prayer for schools; and Steve Durian, First Presbyterian Church, gave the prayer for families.