BETHEL, NY — Sullivan Renaissance quietly turned 18 this year. It once drew fire from skeptics scoffing at the idea that a few flowers could offer new life to a county in perilous decline. But on August 6, it awarded more than $500,000 in grants and scholarships at an attention-grabbing ceremony that surprised even founder and chairperson Sandra Gerry.

Amid the drum rolls and cymbal clashes provided by Connor Gorr and Austin Fulton of Livingston Manor Central School Band under the direction of Daniel Smith, scores of volunteers, interns and public officials expressed gratitude to Sullivan Renaissance for deepening their commitment to community and strengthening their connection to each other. Enthusiasm was everywhere apparent during the ceremony, from the capacity audience that strained the limits of the Bethel Woods Event Gallery to Sen. John Bonacic’s emotional farewell speech.

There were too many winners to mention them all. The full roster can be found at www.sullivanrenaissance.org. Dozens of organizations that included churches, religious camps, libraries and municipalities won between $500 and $5,000, some more, for improving curb appeal, making entryways more inviting, creating sign gardens, community gardens and children’s gardens; and reclaiming riverbanks, lakesides and railroad beds. The big money awards, the Municipal Partnership Grants and Silver and Golden Feather Awards, came last.

Five municipalities were in contention: Liberty, Thompson, Woodridge, Fallsburg and Tusten. Judge Michael Newhard said, “The stakes are high, and the projects are big.” Each town undertook multiple projects in this competition. The Town of Liberty won the $250,000 Golden Feather Award, the announcement made as gold streamers rained down on everyone. Silver Feather Award #1, for $50,000, went to the Village of Woodridge. Silver Feather Award #2, also for $50,000, went to the Town of Thompson. Bronze Feather Award #1, for $25,000, went to the Town of Tusten, which also received a $5,000 Judges Choice Award for its Children’s Garden. Bronze Feather #2, again for $25,000, went to the Town of Thompson.

The monetary awards are certainly an impetus to compete; no winner failed to acknowledge the generosity of Alan and Sandra Gerry and the Gerry Foundation. But Sullivan Renaissance participants in “The Soul of Sullivan” film, produced and directed by Isaac Green Diebboll, talking about their experiences with the organization, all said they’ve discovered a new kind of currency: community. In it, they’ve found something more valuable, more durable, and more fulfilling than money. They said it’s something they will keep and treasure.

That sentiment was echoed by the scholarship winners, most of whom said they hope to establish careers in the county, making it their forever home. If that happens, and it may, as many of them have chosen to attend colleges within commuting distance of the county, Sullivan Renaissance will have achieved its grandest ambition: to attract and retain young talent.