For Enid’s Dick McKnight, community service is about saying, “Thank you.”

“In a way, it’s my duty and obligation to give back to the community what it has given to me,” said McKnight.

Currently, McKnight is director and co-chairman of the Governance Committee of Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and is on the church council and district board of missions of First United Methodist Church of Enid.

“The church has been a big part of my life since I was a little boy,” said McKnight. “It’s a great spiritual as well as social activity for me and my wife. The church means so much to me.”

Just as churches are large part of many people’s lives, McKnight believes a museum is an important part of the life of a community.

“Not only to show what has happened in the past, but from those past experiences we, as a community, can obtain lessons of leadership,” said McKnight. “By observing what has gone on in the past and how so many gave so much, it will help inspire ... to make our community an even better place to live and work and raise our families.”

Aside from time spent in the Army, college and law school, McKnight has lived in Enid. In his time in Enid, he has been president of Enid Noon AMBUCS, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce and Garfield County Bar Association; chairman of Enid United Way campaign; and founding director of Enid Community Foundation. He also has served on various boards and committees of Boy Scouts, YMCA, United Way, RSVP and Rotary.

“I feel that all of us should give a part of our lives back to the community,” said McKnight.

When McKnight attended Enid High School, he was president of the student body, and he believes getting involved in school is an important part of being a student.

“I feel that whether you’re in the band or whether you are in sports or whether you’re in student government, they are all equally important,” said McKnight. “It gives a sense of learning to lead, which will be necessary and helpful later in life. You have to learn to cooperate with others. It’s just great lessons in leadership for the rest of your life.”

In the past, McKnight even took time to give back to the state of Oklahoma by serving as trustee and chancellor of Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, on the Board of Ordained Ministry of Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, as trustee and president of Oklahoma Bar Foundations, as governor of Oklahoma Bar Association and as member of Chairmen of Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Committee.

McKnight said when Enid’s residents serve the state of Oklahoma it brings “honor and prestige to Enid.”

“Indirectly, it may help bring businesses and some economic opportunities to Enid because of the connection Enid folks have with other state leaders,” said McKnight.

Although it isn’t always easy to give up personal time to give back to the community, McKnight said, it is a great way to give back to a community that does so much for its citizens.

“Almost anything worthwhile takes time and effort of volunteers,” said McKnight. “Although sometimes it isn’t convenient, the end result is worthwhile.”

According to McKnight, the city of Enid has a large group of volunteers who go above and beyond for the community.

“There are so many wonderful and talented people in Enid who are so giving of their time and expertise,” said McKnight. “I’m so proud of our citizens.”