HANGING ROCK— Vickie Mullens, head of Small Miracles Daycare in Hanging Rock, received a special honor — Southeast Region Provider of the Year — from the Children’s Hunger Alliance based out of Columbus.

Friends and family gathered at the Hanging Rock Community Center Saturday afternoon to celebrate her accomplishment.

“I feel humbled and blessed to know that the parents trust me as a provider for their children,” she said. “Caring for children is the most challenging job I’ve ever had, but it’s also the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. Just watching the developmental stages of each child is rewarding in itself.”

Small Miracles Daycare feeds the children that it serves and is part of the Children’s Hunger Alliance program that reimburses for the meals that are fed to the children.

Mullens was nominated for the award by Children’s Hunger Alliance Southeast Ohio field rep, Dawn Brown.

“Vickie is the most honest, humble and caring person I’ve ever met,” Brown said. “She is very caring for the children that she has charge of and goes above and beyond for the children in her care.”

Brown said between 1,150 and 2,000 people were up for the award, while a total of five, one from each region, were chosen.

Mullens has been a daycare provider for 12 years and takes her job very seriously.

“It’s not just a babysitting job, but it’s teaching the children to become the best that they can be,” she said. “I know how valuable the kids are, and my workers and I don’t take it lightly. I appreciate all those that have taught me and have given me the opportunity to grow and strive to be the best provider I can be.”