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Vote for who you think most deserves the People's Choice Award! Voting opens 3/19 at 8am.
 
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Nominee Name:  Arthur Green
Nominator Name:  Phillip Skipper
Reasons for nomination:  Art gives his whole life to helping those that are in need. Every Sunday he gives tirelessly to the HOPE organization, as detailed above. He is driven by the knowledge that he is helping kids eat on the weekends. Art grew up not knowing if he’d have a meal at the dinner table so he knows how these children feel.

Every holiday Art organizes a lunch for the homeless at the Bethesda Center in Winston-Salem. He reaches out to friends to help with donations. Last year multiple businesses donated food to help his event, including Chick-fil-A . In all, Chick-fil-A has donated over 2,000 chicken sandwiches to Art’s cause over the last two years. Over 200 individuals receive a meal during each holiday, where most families are in the warmth of their own homes enjoying the traditions, these members of our community are grateful to see another day.

Art mentors youth in our Happy Hill neighborhood in Winston-Salem. The organization is called the Dream Team. Art and volunteers strive to be fatherly figures to at-risk youth of color. These men strive to be role models for boys that may or may not have a father in their life. Art teaches cultural and social awareness, emphasizes education and community.

Lastly, during the winter holidays, Art brings joy to children and the elderly. He visits day care centers and rest homes dressed as Santa to share the Christmas spirit.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Art believes in friends helping friends. He hosts and organizes meals at the Bethesda center for the homeless every chance he gets, and never misses a holiday. This is a time of celebration for those in need. The meals are in a buffet style assembly line with volunteers helping Art’s cause. The meals feed up to 200 people every time it is organized. These individuals are extremely appreciative and grateful to have Art and friends sharing with them. Everyone joins in for a community prayer, and there is music, dancing and fellowship.

Every Saturday and Sunday Art gives to Hope. Art is selfless and is motivated by his passion for ensuring these kids have a meal over the weekend. It saddens Art knowing that if HOPE of Winston-Salem didn’t exist these kids would go hungry on the weekend.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  According to www.feedingamerica.org, North Carolina is ranked 8th nationally at significantly higher household food-insecurity rates than the U.S. national average 2013-2015. More so locally, according to a 2010 Gallup Organization study, the greater Winston-Salem area ranked the worst metro area in the United States in having families with children that had a hard time putting food on the table.

Art is fill this void in our community. He is leader, a go-getter, and doesn’t waiver from his internal love for others. He commits to helping those that can’t help themselves. He has a loyal group of supporters that give their time and contributions to help him carry out his vision. The homeless, kids, elderly, and youth are all touched by his generosity.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Art has a desire to help others. He puts other before himself. Art makes people feel wanted and is generous in nature. He checks on his elderly neighbors to ensure their heat is working on cold winter nights; He prepares extra servings of his own meal for his widowed neighbor. When he hasn’t spoken to you in a while, he picks up the phone to just say ‘hello’ and to check on you. Art believes we’re all family and he cares about you deeply.
Comments: (23)
 
Nominee Name:  Denise Jones
Nominator Name:  Vicki Jones
Reasons for nomination:  Denise Jones joined the Crisis Control Ministry family on July 9, 2007. Since that time, she has been a model volunteer serving over 3,600 hours. Whenever asked to take on a new responsibility, she is always open to learn and expand her knowledge of the mechanisms of the ministry and ways to help our neighbors who seek services.
She is completely selfless, always willing to help, and going out of her way to serve our clients. You can always rest assured that Denise will go beyond the call of her volunteer positions.
Denise is a vital part of CCM. She is the first face that clients see on Mondays; she is a compassionate interviewer on Thursdays; and she does administrative work in between. She provides relief to the staff and a calming presence for those in crisis. We are grateful for her service, kindness, generosity, patience, and dedication.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Denise’s outstanding commitment includes but is not limited to:
• Being cross-trained in four areas – interviewer, intake worker, receptionist, and administration;
• Regularly fills in for staff and volunteer absences;
• During the last quarter of 2016, she handled 1/3 of a staff person’s job in addition to normal 12-hour weekly volunteer commitment;
• She purchased a disposable phone to make calls to our clients from home so that she could stay on top of the high volume of voicemail received during the maternity leave.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  She has touched the lives of a significant number of the population of Forsyth County. With her assistance, CCM was able to provide much needed prescription medication, housing, utilities, as well as other emergency needs families can experience.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Kindness, generosity, patience, intelligence, and dedication.
Comments: (2)
 
Nominee Name:  Twin City Aktion Club President, Cory Williams
Nominator Name:  Victoria Jackson
Reasons for nomination:  Corey Williams has shown a great deal of enthusiasm and willingness to serve others, both here at the Enrichment center as well as our community. As a Kiwanis Aktion club member, she has exemplified initiative and leadership toward Kiwanis International and UNICEF Eliminate Project. Over the past 3 years, we have had a Valentine’s cupcake fundraiser to help raise money for this cause. With her dedication and creativity, we were able to raise almost $300. Besides being a wonderful citizen, Corey has been a wonderful team leader and advocate for our students whom attend here at the Enrichment Center. She has often sought out those students who have a little more difficult time and has been very helpful with keeping them focused and motivated. She is a great mentor, encouraging others to volunteer and give back. Our Aktion club has grown tremendously, to now 25 members! Her leadership continues to build our Aktion club.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Corey Williams exemplifies enthusiasm and commitment to volunteering and helping others in need. She often has creative, wonderful ideas for our Aktion Club to participate in. Besides having wonderful ideas, Corey takes the initiative to be a mentor to other adults with Developmental Disabilities. She demonstrates that development has no disability. No matter how busy she is in her life, Corey finds time to give back and always puts 120% into it.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Corey has demonstrated creative and thoughtful ideas for our Aktion club. These creative ideas have had a huge impact in our community. This past Holiday, our club organized a drive to stuff Christmas stockings where we distributed them to City With Dwellings overflow Shelter. The expressions or thankfulness in a gentleman's face when he received a brand new pair of socks he had been needing was so humbling. Our Aktion club meetings take place at The Enrichment Center which is an adult day program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. This past year we have collected canned goods for Salvation Army and Triad Holiday Food Drive. Our club also collected art supplies to help Brenner Children Hospital.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Corey illustrates magnificent leadership qualities that help bind our team. Her ability to listen, communicate, serve and guide others does not go unnoticed. She is very caring and thoughtful and always tries her hardest to include everyone in our projects, regardless of their ability. Her most useful quality is her ability of inclusiveness. She is always accepting and welcoming differences in other people. Corey is also neat and organized. This is very helpful when we are undertaking our annual Eliminate Fundraiser. Corey keeps track of all our cupcake orders and helps organize them. For a tall order that is usually 250 cupcakes, this is very important!
Comments: (2)
 
Nominee Name:  Doris Murray
Nominator Name:  Sharon T. Landreth
Reasons for nomination:  Doris is one in a million! I don't think the school could run without her constant help. She goes above and beyond what is expected of her giving more than 110%. She knows the copier machines so well that when we get them serviced, she will explain to the service man what is wrong with the machine, and sometimes tell him how to fix it. She even calls in to let us know if she is going to be late or cannot some in. She considers her job here at Piney Grove a "labor of love". I cannot say enough about Doris and her work ethics when it comes to her volunteering at Piney Grove. She will even suggest to a teacher a better way to copy something in order to save paper and time.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Doris is committed at all times to Piney Grove. She arrives around 8AM and does not leave until sometimes around 4PM. She helps with the PAWS Store and also the Weekend Backpack Program. She also helps with the Holiday Market in December. She considers her job at Piney Grove an honor and she loves being with the students and staff as well. She also makes sure we know if she is late or cannot come (which is rare)
She is a very hard worker that sees a project through to the end. She is the "Secret Jewel" of Piney Grove Elementary..
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Doris has received Volunteer of the year for 4 years at Piney Grove Elementary. She was also nominated for the Governor's Award and received an award for one of the top ten in 2014. We also had a " Doris Day "on December 16, 2016. The entire school recognized her throughout the day. That day, we surprised her with flowers, cards, singing from the children, and she was recognized during morning announcements. This was her day to shine and be awarded for her hard work.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  There is nothing Doris can not do. She knows everything about reducing the size of a document to enlarging it. She knows all the copiers and laminating machines very well and always tries to fix it before we have to call for service. She will tell teachers a better way to copy something so it will not use as much paper. The children at Piney Grove earn Paw Bucks for good rewards, and they can redeem their Paw Bucks in the school store. Doris helps with the Paw Bucks Student Store and make sure all the children spend their Paw Bucks money wisely. She also helps with the pricing of each item in the store. Doris is very active for her age and loves to be busy!
Comments: (3)
 
Nominee Name:  Judy McGill
Nominator Name:  Ebony Pratt
Reasons for nomination:  Judy has spent nearly 17 years serving Susan G. Komen Northwest NC as an active volunteer. She gives of herself without asking anything in return. Her positivity and smile is contagious with both staff members and volunteers. Judy is one of those volunteers that does not know how to say no. She is always willing to tackle any project given; and the best part is you know she will complete it flawlessly. Nothing is too big or too small for Judy to manage. She has served as a Race Chair for our Race for the Cure for several years. In this role she has managed a team of 60+ volunteers as they plan and implement one of the largest fundraisers in the Piedmont Triad. Although she is not currently the Chair of the Race she still is an active member of the committee. Currently she serves as the Race Committee secretary; a role that takes a detailed and organized individual to succeed.

Judy is often thought to be a staff member by other volunteers and supporters due to the large amount of time she serves our Affiliate. We often get recently diagnosed survivors coming through our front door looking for resources, support, and hope. Judy greets these women and men as though she has known them for years. They quickly feel at ease and know they have found a place of refuge and support as they tackle this awful disease. Judy often shares her story and provides a since of hope that there is life after being diagnosed with breast cancer. These women and men leave inspired after talking with Judy.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Judy is often mistaken as a full time staff member because of the number of hours she volunteers. She is a constant force in our office. She has been with us for nearly 17 years helping in multiple capacities. She is willing to come in as early as needed; sometimes as early as 4am for a Race. And she is always willing to stay late to help with a meeting or an event. She is a volunteer that you can always depend on to be there.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Judy has created a positive ripple effect among our volunteers and staff. She has helped our Affiliate with both fundraising and mission work. She has helped us raised hundreds of thousands of dollars with our Race for the Cure over the years; she has held a leadership role on this committee since 2004. She has also served just as an important role in helping us fulfill our mission outreach. Judy has spent numerous Saturdays, late nights, and early mornings sharing the importance of knowing your normal at events. She is amazing at engaging attendees and caring a causal conversation on breast health. Many people have gone and gotten their mammograms after speaking with Judy.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Judy has many talents but her strongest skill is her ability to connect with people. She is one of those individuals that you feel like you have known her forever upon first encounter. Judy’s people skills have allowed her to encourage and motivate Race Committees and Volunteers throughout the years. They have also allowed her the ability to connect with survivors and individuals that have last love ones from breast cancer.
Comments: (4)
 
Nominee Name:  David Peterman
Nominator Name:  Christina Peterman
Reasons for nomination:  OVERT is an off-road vehicle emergency response team. Each volunteer drives a 4WD vehicle capable of traveling during severe storms as well as on unpaved roads. The volunteers go wherever help is needed. They transport essential hospital personnel to and from work during snow events. They recover vehicles that are stuck, as long as there is no damage. They carry EMS personnel into areas that are difficult to reach. Several volunteers, including Dave, spent a week in Kelly helping flood victims and local emergency services.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Many times, Dave is the volunteer who responds to a call for help. While we have several committed individuals, I know that Dave will always respond if possible. Each time there is a call and he doesn't respond to it, he paces the floor until he receives word that the need has been addressed.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  The week spent in Kelly was extraordinary. Dave, Chris Bruce, Dee Brown, and several other volunteers throughout the week, worked tirelessly helping the flood victims. They helped clear homes, remove debris, whatever was asked of them by local emergency services. They each left a piece of themselves in Kelly. I have never witnessed such complete dedication with no regard for themselves. I wish I could nominate the entire team. Without Dave, there would be no OVERT. That is why I chose him to nominate.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Relentless tenacity
4WD knowledge and skills, including how to properly use a winch or tow strap.
Vehicle Recovery
Disaster Preparedness
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Fostering Friendship Therapy Dog Team
Nominator Name:  Geralyn Kelly
Reasons for nomination:  These teams are exceptional in what they do. They volunteer their time, some of them up to 15 visits a month. Some travel an hour toget to a facility and some stay longer than they have been scheduled for if an individual or a family needs them.
The dogs. What do I say about the dogs. They have a gift. All of them. It is like they have been plaed on this earth to do this job. They all have a special sense to know who needs them the most. It's amazing to watch them bring comfort to a grieving family or love to someone in a memory care unit who speaks about missing their dog. It brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  The teams have an outstanding commitment to the community. When they are called upon, even if it's last minute, they rise. When the Pulse Club was attacked and they held a memorial downtown, they were there. When the PA students of Wake Forest where stressed about their finals, they were there. When Relay for Life requested the teams join the event, even though dogs are not allowed, they were there supporting 2 of their own who are survivors. And finally, when TE Connectivity, The News and Record and the good folks who work at Innovation Quarters needed a wellness boost, Yup, they were there.
They never like to tell anyone no because everyone needs a little love & comfort.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  The teams commitment comes from never saying no. When someone calls they make every effort to get a team or teams to visit. Every month there is a set schedule of the facilities they visit. Some days have 2 or 3 plus some teams have theirown agenda for one on one visits. The extra visit that requested are fit in and the teams never disappoint.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  I believe the teams have a huge impact on the community. From their facility visits to attending First Friday events in Downtown Winston-Salem. When they go out they bring smiles to everyone they meet. The handlers refer to themselves as Uber drivers because it's the dogs that do all the work. The teams make themselves available whenever they are needed for any community outings or special events.
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Mr. and Mrs. Turner (Joe and Sandy)
Nominator Name:  Gwen Walter
Reasons for nomination:  I am nominating Mrs. Turner for this award because of her dedication and commitment to the children she has worked with over the past twenty years. She began volunteering when she was a local realtor and continued to volunteer after retirement. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year at Bolton Elementary School. Mrs. Turner relocated to Old Town Elementary and Kimberly Park. She decided to go through the READWS Augustine Training in 2016; this was a huge commitment on her part as she was not familiar with lesson plan development and working with ESL students. She struggled with the lesson plans but was determined to accomplish the task; this is not always easy for a 75 (plus) year person. I am a retired instructor from the Early Childhood Education Program at Forsyth Technical Community College and understand the difficulty in beginning lesson plans. Mrs. Turner researches current information to assist in her tutoring skills and communicates closely with the assigned teacher for advice when needed.

Mrs. Turner cares about the children she works with and takes pride in meeting goals for each child. She frequently stresses over her ability to make a difference. She is truly dedicated to helping each child improve and succeed in order to move through the system smoothly.

I am nominating Mr.Turner along with Mrs.Turner as they work at the same school and share a joint commitment to the children and the teacher’s they work with. The children are very fond of both Mr. and Mrs. Turner – this is evident in the cards and books they write about them and the fondness the teacher’s display. Mr. Turner is so proud of each of the children he works with and always smiles when he talks about each child.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Mr. Turner began volunteering in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School system three years ago as a result of Mrs. Turner’s enthusiasm and her comments about the need for male role models in the schools. He volunteers on a daily basis at Kimberly Park. Mr. Turner initiated several field trips to expose the children to community resources; Barnes and Noble for reading time, SCI Works , and Tanglewood Park for the Nature Trail (he paid for the school bus to transport the children). Mrs. Turner accompanied the children on a trip to Raleigh and they both went on a field trip to Washington, D.C. to accommodate a special student. Mrs. Turner has developed a personal relationship with the family of one of the children she has worked with and provides the extra time to the siblings and the Mother ( the Mother speaks little English). Joe and Sandy contribute to the BackPack Program and worry when the children are out of school for any length of time due to inclement weather or holidays.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  I think it is remarkable for an 80 year old couple to relegate the amount of time and energy ( which is depleted at this time in their lives) Mr. and Mrs. Turner do to accommodate the needs of so many children in the public school system. They both care not only about the children but the teachers they work with as well. They are amazed by the stringent requirements for our public school teachers and have voiced their concern in positive ways; they have provided necessary resources on occasion for the teachers they work with and have even participated in after school events. They have provided activities for the children during parent/teacher conferences.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Mr. and Mrs. Turner ( Sandy and Joe) are very special people. They are compassionate and selfishly give of their resources and time without complaining. They are good role models in the environment they work in and for the children they serve. They believe strongly in public education and are committed not only to the children they are assigned to but to the entire class and school.
They are both good listeners, have good people skills, and have the ability to empathize with the teachers they represent.
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Ardmore Baptist Church/Linda Cline's Group
Nominator Name:  Heidi College
Reasons for nomination:  This year, Ardmore Baptist Church has already donated over 2000 hours of their time. The group meets regularly to hand sew much needed items for hospice patients.
*Pressure point pillows and blankets provide physical comfort
*Fidget aprons and dolls provide emotional comfort and small feely hearts
*Catheter bag covers help decrease "hospital feel" of hospice room and maintain dignity of patients.
They are absolutely dependable; the items are delivered like clockwork; they are made with love.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  The outstanding commitment is demonstrated by their 15 year record of monthly donations.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Each month's donation re-stocks the well used supply of patient items. Outstanding quality & regularity in donations.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Each item brought by Ardmore Baptist Church is carefully hand sewn, fabrics are carefully chosen, and it is obvious these items are made with love.
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Dorothy B Jordan
Nominator Name:  Amber M Baker
Reasons for nomination:  At 81 years of age, Dottie is one of the most faithful, loyal and dedicated volunteers of the Red Cross. She has faithfully volunteered every Friday for the last 15 years, greeting everyone with her infectious smile. She also stands ready to answer the call of assisting with mobile blood drives at various sites around the city- driving herself to each site. Dottie is punctual to her sites and thorough in completing her task.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Even after being involved in terrible accident, she was concerned about getting back to her volunteering duties because she fully understands how difficult it is for the Red Cross to get faithful volunteers to assist with the blood drives. She is so loving that people cannot leave without her giving them a hug. She gives superior customer service; however, more importantly she is like the beloved mother/grandmother to all that she meets and feisty too!
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Lifetime Achievement for Service to the Red Cross. Still serving/volunteering at 81 years old.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Still serving at 81 years old
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Scott Cushing
Nominator Name:  Billie Holley
Reasons for nomination:  Scott has invested his time and heart into the ministry of the Winston Salem Rescue Mission. He loves being involved with the residents and helping them to a place of acceptance and restoration in their lives. He fully involves himself in our community outreach food pantry. Scott is greatly loved by the staff, residents, and the community and willingly goes to churches and organizations to speak about the Mission's programs and outreach.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Rarely misses being at the Mission at appointed times and willingly comes when he is needed outside of those scheduled times.
He has taken it on himself to be an ambassador for the Mission's programs for the residents and also for our community outreach programs.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Scott has made the public more aware of the Mission and its progress in treating the men of our community with homelessness and substance abuse issues. He has also been instrumental in making the public more aware and concerned about hunger in our area.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Scott interacts with a friendly and kind manner with all people regardless of their circumstances.
He has the ability to comfort, console, and redirect when dealing with various situations within his assigned duties.
He manages other volunteers and uses his computer skills to train and enhance their skills.
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Dana Walker
Nominator Name:  Arthur Hardin
Reasons for nomination:  During my time as coordinator an appreciation was gained for the impact Project GIVE has in the lives so many in the WSSU and Winston-Salem communities. Mr. Walker has demonstrated the deep dedication needed to drive the program to achieve its full potential. It is heartening to witness his efforts to expand the program to serve more and more of the community and enhance the abilities of other agencies and organizations to achieve their missions. Simply put, Project GIVE through the stewardship of Dana Walker is achieving its purpose of using the resources of Winston-Salem State to have a positive impact on its surrounding community.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  A key element in Winston-Salem State's Ramdition freshmen orientation program is a service project that introduces incoming freshmen to the social justice value component of the 2016 -2021 Strategic Plan and very legacy of the university. Initially the service project served only one organization. Under his guidance the project has expanded to involve many organizations throughout the community representing a variety of service opportunities. The commitment to service extends during the academic year with a volunteer service fair that brings service organizations to campus to present volunteer opportunities to faculty, students and staff along with collecting data on service hours performed. His work has lead to recognition of Project GIVE as a valuable resource in the greater community and raise the overall profile of the University.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  During the 2015-2016 academic year, 779 students individually volunteered almost 11,000 hours of service. WSSU athletic teams logged 3,600 hours of service with service learning projects involving 340 students providing 13,900 hours of service. Their service impacted 22 schools, 15 churches and 14 medical facilities. In all, 29,013.35 hours of service was provided by Project GIVE which translates to an economic impact of over $642,000. Mr.. Walker coordinated all of these efforts while maintaining and improving partnerships established during his time as Coordinator for Community Service. It is clear that he contributes to the mission expressed by the Winston-Salem State University motto ‘Enter to Learn – Depart to Serve’ and becoming an example of the University's strategic value of Social Justice.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Please consider the following observations from the Volunteer Coordinator of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina: “Dana Walker with Winston Salem State University is a constant effort in helping raise awareness regarding the mission of Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC and our need for volunteers among the student body. His diligent work putting together the Student Involvement Fairs, and making sure that we are always involved each semester has helped Second Harvest Food Bank develop a wonderful presence on campus. Dana is available to assist with putting the call out via their telecommunication systems around campus whenever we are in dire need for volunteer groups to serve at Second Harvest Food Bank. Through his countless efforts, Dana has helped organize several food drives and bring various organizations from campus to Second Harvest Food Bank to volunteer. He works persistently in getting not only student involvement, but encouraging staff members as well to participate when possible. We are extremely fortunate to have him engaged in our mission and eager to assist us in spreading the need for volunteers among the student body and staff of Winston Salem State University.”

Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Meridith Whitaker
Nominator Name:  Jodi Sarver
Reasons for nomination:  Big Brothers Big Sisters staff strives to achieve the best quality match for the littles in our program. We devote our time and energy into supporting their match in the best possible way. We have the opportunity to witness remarkable accomplishments, experiences, and success among our volunteers and children. I am writing with great pleasure to recommend Meridith Whitaker for the Governor's Award. Meridith has shown tremendous dedication to Big Brothers Big Sisters and her Little Diamond.
Diamond’s mother, Katrina enrolled Diamond in the program to have a positive female mentor in her life. A female that could serve as a friend and someone Diamond could talk to. Diamond has a bubbly and outgoing personality but didn’t have anyone to share it with. Katrina is a single mother raising Diamond and her brother and felt Diamond needed someone to spend one on one time with. Katrina wanted Diamond to succeed in school, specifically with her reading. Katrina was thrilled when BBBS matched Diamond with Meridith. Their relationship began to blossom.
Meridith and Diamond have enjoyed a year full of bowling, roller skating, carving pumpkins, trunk-or-treat, coffee shops, coloring, downtown art gallery hops, movies, the mall, museums, fairs, baking cookies and cupcakes, crafts, community events, making dinner, trampoline parks, board games, arcades, putt-putt, pottery, painting on canvas, jumping rope, swimming, making jewelry, Chuck E. Cheese, and ice skating. Along with fun doing fun activities together, this match also volunteers for BBBS and other community organizations, and learning the ins and outs of life. Meridith has encouraged Diamond to succeed academically and assisting her with her with her reading; which now is a new found hobby for Diamond.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  As a Big Sister for a total of 7 years, Meridith has shown true dedication to her Little’s Erika and Diamond and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Meridith attended a recruitment event in 2010 where she inquired about Big Brothers Big Sisters and soon submitted her volunteer application. Meridith began working with Erika soon thereafter and served as her Big Sister for 5 years until Erika graduated High School. Her work mentoring did not stop there. Matched in 2015, Meridith and Diamond have been working with one another ever since. To think that Meredith’s dedication to Big Brothers Big Sisters stops there would be an understatement. Meridith helped found the first Bigs Council in Winston-Salem, a group of Bigs dedicated to promoting the organization’s mission and celebrating Bigs and Littles through events and advocacy. She continues to help fundraise for Bowl for Kids’ Sake every year as well as serve on the planning committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters annual 5K fundraiser. Meridith also writes articles on the Big Brothers Big Sisters for local publications. Meridith states that she “remains diligent in personally sharing about her experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters and her Little with friends, family, and colleagues.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Katrina, Diamond's mother wanted to share a few words about Meridith over-achieving accomplishments of a volunteer and mentor. "Being part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program has been a wonderful experience for both my daughter Diamond and me. The connection my child has made with her “Big” is one that I believe she will cherish for a lifetime. . Since being introduced to Meredith (Diamond’s “Big”), I have seen my daughter blossom into more of an amazing child than she already was. Although Diamond is still Diamond, I can tell that having a Big Sister has impacted her tremendously. She is more outgoing and communicative, which is hard to fathom since she has never been one to NOT give her opinion!
Overall Diamond has become an even livelier and joyful child and I believe that Meredith has played an important role in that accomplishment. Not only is Meredith a bright personality herself, but she is also very attentive to all of Diamond’s wants and needs, but most importantly, her need for a special friend. Because of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, specifically Meredith’s involvement, I KNOW that Diamond’s future is brighter. She will always have these childhood memories to look back on; memories that will undoubtedly help to guide her throughout adulthood and throughout her life."
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Meridith is dedicated to providing a good role model for her little Diamond but she is an advocate for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is involved in the program, development, and recruitment side of things while serving as a volunteer. Meridith's Little also thinks she is deserving of this award.
"Hello, my name is Diamond Denise Rawlinson. My big sister has meant a lot to me. Meridith is my big sister that I have always asked my mother for. Meridith has made a big difference in my life and deserves the Governor’s Award. She picks me up every week and we do a lot of different things and go a lot of different places. Some of my favorite things that I like to do with my Big Sister are skating, going to the mall, and baking homemade cookies and cakes from scratch. My Big Sister, Meridith is special because she takes time to be with me and takes me anywhere I want to go. Sometimes when I am at home I use to get bored all the time and school was okay to me, but since I have had a big sister I will read a book or help my mother cook and bake. I am also doing better in school and it is more fun to me. I enjoy having Meredith as my Big Sister and I like the way she is and I would not change anything about her."
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Kelly Simpson
Nominator Name:  Sharon Landreth
Reasons for nomination:  Kelly has been a guiding force since she became PTA President 2 years ago. She has implemented many fundraisers to help bring the needed funds into the school. She and the board had Boosterthon come and we raised over $10, 000 last year. Kelly and the board are constantly doing many things to involve the teachers, staff and students to make Piney Grove a wonderful place for learning. I cannot say enough about her leadership. She takes on a task and sees that the job is completed to the very end.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Kelly is committed to Piney Grove and making sure that the PTA is involved with all aspects of the school. She is always volunteering in the classroom and helping the teachers out with their daily tasks. She also teaches on-lline courses at GTCC and Phoenix University. You can see her life is very busy, but she takes the time for Piney Grove. Her main focus is all about the school and what can we do to make it better.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Kelly has received Outstanding Volunteer for 3 years in a row.
She has held previous board positions before becoming President of the PTA for the last two years. She is an outstanding board member for the PTA who works hard for the PTA and the school.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  I don't know of anything Kelly does not know how to do. She is a very hands on person that works hard to see a task to the end. She is always talking to parents about what is best for the school as she is very people friendly. Kelly is very friendly with all the children and tries to meet their needs as well. She substitutes on many occasions besides volunteering for the school.
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  The Wednesday Wonder Women
Nominator Name:  Lisa Northrop
Reasons for nomination:  At the Family House, the kitchen and dining room is the heart of the house. This is where guests store their food, fix meals, and form friendships with other guests. The Wednesday Wonder Women have been a 'kitchen staple' since the Family House opened and make sure the kitchen stays fully functional for guests.

Every week, this group of 4 grade school best friends make sure the kitchen is in top shape by purging old food, organizing the remaining items, restocking drawers, and washing dishes. They have it down to a science and enjoy it because they're together. The girls check in with the guests who pass through the kitchen, adding the personal touch to a guest’s stay that families would never find at a typical hotel.

Their familiarity with the kitchen and self-direction has led them to take charge in the pantry and kitchen areas. They've organized and purged the pantry, they've come up with a system to label and organize the refrigerator, they've held kitchen item drives with their book clubs, and they've provided additional suggestions for how to make the kitchen run smoothly for guests. As a result, the kitchen and pantry areas are clutter and stress-free for patients and caregivers returning from a long day at the hospital.

The Wednesday Wonders' deep roots with the Winston Salem community and passion for the Family House benefits the Family House outside of the kitchen. Last year, the ladies took a leading role in organizing our first major fundraising event, Men Who Cook. In charge of decorations, they made the event shine. They also came up with an individual sponsorship level and helped solicit lower level individual sponsors, which raised nearly $10,000 in the first year.

The Wednesday Wonder Women are reliable, hard working, and passionate advocates for Family House guests. They would leave big shoes to fill on Wednesday mornings if they were to leave!
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Between this group of four ladies, Martha, Lynn, Ginger, and Janie, Wednesday mornings are always covered. The Wednesday Wonders follow through on their weekly project - even if it means they come in a little early, stay a little late, or even come in a different day to finish up their tasks.

Their commitment shows in the thoughtful feedback they provide to Family House staff. Since they work in the area on a weekly basis, they intimately know how the kitchen area flows and families use the space. Not only do they observe these trends, they take the initiative to provide thoughts and propose solutions. They created a labeling system for the refrigerators, drafted signage, and made executive decisions regarding supplies to keep and purge, for example.

Together, they've been with the Family House since opening in 2011, serving over 1,500 volunteer hours combined. Their commitment and passion for the Family House shows in the way they connect with guests, and reach out to their circle of friends and organizations. They've encouraged their book club to donate, they've encouraged their friends to attend or support our fundraising events, and they've participated with enthusiasm in other Family House activities.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  If you think it takes time to clean your kitchen, just imagine what it takes to clean a kitchen that 45 families can use on a daily basis! The Wednesday Wonders take the time to make the kitchen functional, clean, and inviting for guests who don't have the time or energy to think of such things. Guests in medical crisis need to feel at home and be stress and clutter free. These ladies make sure families get that feeling when they walk into the kitchen.

The Wednesday Women also took on organization as a project over the past year. They created a label system in the refrigerator, drafted signage for guests to see, and purged the back pantry of old and dated food. These projects have been implemented and maintained by them and other volunteers ever since.

In addition, the ladies have helped organize a successful fundraising event. Their work heading up decorations provided the event with cost-effective beauty and their work in creating the individual sponsorship level helped raise almost $10,000 that organizers didn't initially expect.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  ~Initiative: One of the most impressive qualities about the Wednesday Wonders is their initiative. They know their job and they come in and get to work. They have the knowledge and confidence to make recommendations for improvements and often will help implement those recommendations themselves. Their impact is truly felt by Family House staff and families!
~Companionship: Guests love to see these ladies work in the kitchen, because it obvious that they really care about the guests who come through the kitchen. The ladies often form a close connection with guests that they see on a regular basis. They are fantastic at creating relationships with guests and making them feel like family.
~Networking: The Wednesday Wonders are from Winston Salem, so it's amazing just how many people they know! They help the Family House make connections and introduce the Family House to new faces so that we can continue to meet our budget goals and increase awareness of our mission.
Comments: (2)
 
Nominee Name:  Constance B. Dickens
Nominator Name:  Edna Green
Reasons for nomination:  Connie’s love for her work and her patients is perhaps best exemplified by the lovely cross-stitch she created many years ago with a poem about “Hugs” which hangs in our CPSP Radiation Oncology Hospitality room. She truly loves her work, her patients, and their families. Her dedication is evidenced not only by the 29 years in which she has faithfully served our patients, but also by the fact that, in spite of her age (90!) and limited eyesight, she manages to get up each Wednesday morning, wait for trans-aid to pick her up and, even when it takes up to 2 hours to get here, arrive ready to take on her duties with a loving heart and beautiful spirit. She almost never misses a shift and often manages to get here before 8 a.m.! She began working with us in 1988 after volunteering in the pediatrics playroom for 3 years. Her husband died of cancer in 1986 and, two years later, she made the move to CPSP where she found her calling. She is proud to provide a high level of personal attention to her guests, our radiation patients and their families. She knows intuitively when patients would like to talk, and when it is kinder to give them a cup of coffee and let them have their space. Connie is a thoughtful listener and a caring presence for all who come to the hospitality room during her shift.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Connie’s dedication to her patients and guests is outstanding. It is hard to imagine the effort it must take, at age 90, with limited eyesight, to get up, get dressed , and get ready in time for Trans-Aid to get you to the hospital in time for your 8:30 a.m. shift. Yet Connie is one of our most dependable volunteers. It is very seldom that she will miss her shift, and then, only d/t circumstances beyond her control. Often she arrives 30 minutes early! (Connnie does not want to be late – ever!) She truly wants to be the best help she can be. She puts her patients’ needs first as evidenced by her asking that she be held accountable for a continued high level of service and that she be told if/when it was perceived that she needed to step down. She loves her work. This showed that, as much as she loves being here, she loves her patients even more, and wants them to be first priority.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Connie has dedicated over 10,750 hours of volunteer service at Wake Forest Baptist Health, the majority of those being in the Cancer Patient Support Program. In the past year alone, she served over 1300 guests. Patients come into her room needing support and understanding. Connie wisely knows when to speak, when to listen, and when to just “be” there for them. Patients know they can count on her for a welcoming space and an empathetic ear during stressful times.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Connie’s indomitable spirit is contagious. She has this wonderful combination of loyalty, dedication, feistiness, and, at the same time, the wisdom to know when to listen and to provide a safe, quiet place. Having walked alongside her husband with cancer until his death in 1986, she understands what family members may be experiencing and has a strong desire to help them through it.
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Nominee Name:  Matt Mayers
Nominator Name:  Mary Siebert
Reasons for nomination:  Matt Mayers has been a dedicated volunteer in Winston-Salem for the thirteen years that he has lived here, and in this time, he has already accomplished enough as a volunteer to be recognized for a lifetime achievement award. He and his wife Katherine were inspired by the late Lula Leake, associate vice president for academic affairs at Wake Forest University, who suggested that two people could live from the salary of one, freeing the other to do needed work for the community as a volunteer. Matt has volunteered full-time in this model, to the great benefit of our community. He was the original architect and coordinator of the very popular “Cobblestone Farmers Market” in Old Salem, a weekly gathering place that draws countless shoppers, families, organic farmers, musicians, and artists together from every neighborhood across the region each Saturday of the growing season. He continues to connect sustainable practice farmers with consumers in our area. In the past year alone, Mr. Mayers volunteered at least twenty hours weekly at The Arts Based School (“ABS”), a public charter school where he impacts the lives of 520 students and over 50 staff. This is Matt’s final year after twelve years as a volunteer for the school, because the eldest of his children will graduate this spring. He has been a constant and reliable source of assistance and inspiration at ABS. Matt was also a driver some years for “Meals-on-Wheels.” In his spare time he volunteers long-distance as a grant writer for MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity,) a charity in California founded by friends of his parents, which serves about 85% Hispanic clients.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  This year at The Arts Based School, (a local public charter school serving 520 K-8 students,)Mr. Mayers continued to develop and maintained a broad series of gardens, including three areas that boast native plants from the three regions of North Carolina: coastal, piedmont, and mountain. He led monthly gardening days with volunteer parents and families to maintain and beautify the grounds. He taught students how to prepare garden soil, plant and care for seeds, harvest and prepare nutritious vegetables, working with teachers to deliver NC required standards in science and health. Crops at the school include flowers, shrubs and fruit trees, greens, radishes, berries, herbs, peppers, tomatoes, and textile plants that provide study material for the history of the textile industry in North Carolina. Mr. Mayers also worked with the two Kiwanis service organizations on campus: (K-Kids for 2nd – 5th, and Builders’ Club, for middle school.) Together, they have researched the best crop to help alleviate the serious food shortages in Winston-Salem. Based on its dense caloric content, powerful nutrients, and easy storing capacity, they chose a local variety of sweet potato to plant this spring, harvest in the fall, and deliver to a local food kitchen. Assisting the manager for the school’s many theatrical productions, Matt also rented and drove delivery trucks, lifted, carried, moved, and repaired sets and props.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Through his years of volunteer work in Winston-Salem, Mr. Mayers has impacted our community in three dramatic ways. 1. He helped raise $25,000 in grants for Habitat for Humanity (an organization for which he spent years in Wisconsin assisting Spanish-speaking families,) to incorporate “Green” building into corporate headquarters. 2. Building upon his initial interest in a food co-op that would encourage sustainable and organic farming practices while supporting local farmers, he developed, coordinated and ultimately created the extremely popular Cobblestone Farmers Market. Three years ago, he procured a grant that allowed him to pass along management of the market to a paid employee, and stepped aside to watch it flourish. 3. He worked with administration, teachers and parents at The Arts Based School, a K-8 charter school serving 520 students, to convert the gravel parking lots surrounding the campus buildings (both buildings are re-claimed tobacco warehouses) into an urban oasis of terraced vegetable gardens, learning gardens, and flowering, green spaces enjoyed by students and passers-by in the former industrial hub of the city. He hand-built shade structures and benches, developed and oversaw a loyal group of volunteers, and developed and team-taught curriculum with classroom teachers. He also sustained the considerable theater program at The Arts Based School through his ongoing volunteer work assisting the production manager.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Mr. Mayers is soft-spoken and persistent. He’s cheerful, patient, and unrelenting in his work. He is committed to making a difference for people who need nutritious food and safe housing. He is dedicated to helping establish practices that protect the environment. He speaks fluent Spanish, and serves as a bridge between cultures in our diverse community. He enjoys connecting people who can help one another. He is intelligent and perceptive, and comes up with fresh ideas, to keep a project alive. For example, he relocated a vegetable co-op from a church to a coffee house, when the rent became too high at the church, persuading the coffee house owner that this would attract customers. It did. The co-op grew exponentially, until it was a market too big for the coffee house, so he worked to relocate to a blocked-off cobblestone road outside. When that became too popular for its size, he helped move it to the picturesque Old Salem, where it draws enthusiastic crowds today. He’s respectful of existing programs and avoids interfering with their success. When building the Cobblestone Market, he took care to avoid days of the week when other markets in the area were in operation. Beyond all of this, he gets down in the dirt and labors, himself. He is out in the sun and rain year-round, weeding, watering, and directing other volunteers to do the same. He is a planner who gathers tools, communicates, and stays at work until the last detail is complete and
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Nominee Name:  Karen Bowen
Nominator Name:  Samantha Fitzgerald
Reasons for nomination:  Karen is being nominated for her extraordinary efforts she makes to ensure all of our students have meals on the weekends, and during holidays. She also organizes food for our families during the summer months as well. Karen goes out of her way to ensure that our families do not go without the basic needs. She is also here daily to help teachers in their classrooms with paperwork and needs that they are not able to get to daily. She is always willing to step in and lend a hand- no matter what she has going on.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  We have parents in our building daily to help out our teachers, but Mrs. Bowen maintains our backpack program. This year our school has had an influx of students who are in the foster care program, as well as, families who need extra support. Mrs. Bowen weekly shops for all the needs of our families, loads and unloads them in her car as well as prepares the backpacks to go home each Friday. She facilitates with outside community partnerships when food, backpacks, and lunch boxes are needed. She not only spends her time weekly on this but also her own money to ensure our students and families do not go without. Because Mrs. Bowen works so closely with the school and students she knows of other needs (clothes, school supplies). Mrs. Bowen has went out many times on her own and purchased things for these students so they have what they need. It just so happens in passing that we hear of how she continues to support our students. She is very humble and expects no recognition for all that she does. A lot of her efforts are behind the scenes and go unnoticed a great deal of the time. I am sure there are many other acts that she does that we just are not aware of because she does not publicize it to anyone.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Mrs. Bowen cares deeply for the Lewisville community. She has an outstanding rapport with the teachers, staff, and students. She bakes cakes for the staff on their birthdays and is always a smiling face to school community. She is committed to ensuring all students receive their food. Even when she is ill or out of town, she ensures someone is there to take her place. There has never been a weekend, summer, or holiday that students and families were not provided for because she ensures no one goes without.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Lewisville is a small community where most of our students basic needs are met; however, in the last few years our population has changed. With that being said, this year our school has reached the highest students ever on Free and reduced lunch and on the backpack program. With the growing need, Mrs. Bowen has sought out to our community members, as well as, helped organize a food drive here at the school to stock up for our families. Our students are under a great deal of stress with their home lives, because of Mrs. Bowen, they have one less stressor placed upon them. Our students no longer have to worry about what they will eat when they go home.
Comments: (2)
 
Nominee Name:  Rebecca Fingerson
Nominator Name:  Sharon Landreth
Reasons for nomination:  Becky is very hands on in everything she does. The third graders had a Winter Program and she did alot of the stage decorations and also helped with the practices. All the girls had poodle skirts that were made by Becky and other volunteers.. Of course the parents were only charged for the material. The skirts were also made in a way they can adjust the waist for future performances or events.. Becky helped the music teacher with the all the practices and getting the children on stage. She puts in many hours to help with our Sonic Nights and stays at Sonic until it is over at 8PM. She has also helped with multiple fundraiser nights like Chick-Fil-A, Prissy Polly's, and Skate Night. She has visited businesses to get donations for our Golf Tournament as well.. She has helped with our Science Club and has put many hours in our greenhouse projects.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Becky is all about seeing that Piney Grove School PTA gets funds in support of the school. She is always committed to the school and she will go out of her way to help a teacher or staff member. She sees things that need doing and makes it happen. She made notebooks for each Board and Committee member of the PTA. I can't say enough about her commitment to Piney Grove as she goes above and beyond what is expected as a volunteer.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Becky has worked in the greenhouse at the school getting it cleaned up and ready for Spring flower sales. She has worked countless hours for Science Club events and helped as a volunteer with all of the different grade levels. She has helped with program productions and getting the stage set up, and most recently she helped with getting our Science Night up and ready. She got donations from various businesses for prizes for the children and families.
She also was one of our top four outstanding volunteers in 2015-2016.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Becky is a big crafter and sewer. She can look at something and create something beautiful. Since she is a former teacher, she knows what the teachers need and how to get it or do it for them. She has many skills that help Piney Grove, and she is so talented. She also is a private tutor after school is out, so she stays busy throughout her day. I have heard she has a beautiful voice so she is very talented in that area.
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Nominee Name:  DJ and Terri Britt
Nominator Name:  Rachel Sanchez
Reasons for nomination:  The Britt family has consistently and actively support Kernersville Middle School through a variety of ways. Mr. Britt has served on our School Improvement Team - providing valuable insight and actively pursuing business partners. Ms. Britt is an active member of the PTA - leading the school fundraising initiatives. Mr. and Mrs. Britt attend every home basketball game to sell concessions (with proceeds going to the PTA).
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  The Britt's actively look for opportunities to improve teaching and learning at Kernersville Middle School. When a school field trip became overcrowded, Mr. Britt worked to rent a van for chaperones so as to make the trip achievable without raising the cost per student. During School Improvement Team meetings, Mr. Britt frequently asks how he - as a parent and business partner - can support our goals. Then, he follows through.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  The Britt family has taken the initiative to run the fundraising portion of PTA. In addition, they have used their business ties to contact potential business partners and arrange for meetings between the principal and the financial decision makers to support the goals of the school. In a time when funding to public schools is stretched thin, the Britts have helped to ensure that every student at Kernersville Middle has the resources he/she needs.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  The Britts are dedicated and action-oriented. As business owners, they use their knowledge of effective organizational practices and community contacts to enrich the school.
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Nominee Name:  Delores Ponce
Nominator Name:  Rachel Sanchez
Reasons for nomination:  Ms. Ponce has routinely volunteered her time for the past 10 years at Kernersville Middle School. She spends 4.5 hours every other Friday in the media center assisting with checkout and re-shelving books. She spends 5 - 10 days each year covering the front office (answering phone calls, greeting school visitors, etc.) when a secretary has to be absent. Ms. Ponce always spends several days volunteering at the school book fair, as well as serving as a proctor during multiple days of state End of Grade testing.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Ms. Ponce consistently supports our school in any way possible. She frequently completes "behind the scenes" work that frees up other staff to focus on student achievement. She is our "go-to person" and practically a member of our faculty!
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Ms. Ponce's actions allow our school to run smoothly even when front office staff have to be out. She is familiar with the routines, the faculty, the parents, and the school procedures. Her work in the media center consistently allows our media specialist to focus on instruction, technology integration, and planning with teachers.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Ms. Ponce is detail-oriented, amiable, and reliable.
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Nominee Name:  Ann Cronin
Nominator Name:  Kernersville Middle School
Reasons for nomination:  "PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home." Each year, for the past nine years, Ms. Cronin has distributed information regarding the Reflections program, communicated expectations with teachers, collected over 200 student entries (yearly), scored each entry, completed necessary paperwork and procedures to send school winners to the district competition, and organized a recognition party for all students involved.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Ms. Cronin headed the Reflections committee while her students attended this school. The next year, the school struggled to fill her shoes. She again volunteered her time to teach her predecessors the steps necessary to complete the process.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  As a result of Ms. Cronin's hard work and dedication, our school consistently wins a disproportionate number of reflections categories at the district-level - increasing student efficacy, creativity, and self-reflection.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Ms. Cronin is organized, patient, and detail oriented - all qualities needed to build and sustain a strong Reflections presence in the middle school.
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Burnadette Pegeuese
Nominator Name:  Cassandra Brunson
Reasons for nomination:  Mrs. Pegeuese is tremendously dedicated to the well-being of others. She encompasses the true meaning of a "service spirit" to everyone, including students, teachers, staff and co-volunteers. I have had the experience of working with an outstanding volunteer-one whose contributions exceed expectations and go well beyond the responsibilities of the position. She is meticulous with details, thus leading to successful events and tasks she undertakes. She is always willing to serve regardless of the conditions...rain, snow, or shine.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Mrs. Pegeuese is one that makes no excuses...she is faithful and has never missed a meeting nor an event to support the PTA. She even provides special gifts to the classrooms as a whole and teachers. She is an advocate for the students as well as teachers. She has also been a supporter to many. If there aren't any volunteers on site...she will step in, with out question. She is extraordinary at soliciting corporate sponsors for scholarships for high school students to pursue a two or four year college degree. WIthout these scholarships some students may not have been able to afford to go to college.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  23 students granted over 45K in scholarships funds
(each year for over 20 years)
Co-Chaired fund raising event with Philenna Hill that raised over 14k ... strictly allocated for the Smith Farm Elementary playground ( which is now a daily exercise regiment for the community and the school)
Through her Volunteerism at the National Black Theatre Festival: her support elevates sales for a truly national marquee event.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  marketing and sales
planning and organizational
event planning
business administration
team work
self-management
excellent communications
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Bruce Gavett
Nominator Name:  Wallace Williamson
Reasons for nomination:  This nominee has been reliable and dedicated for several years. He volunteers every week and is always here when we need him. His dependability and reliability are superb. He engages his audience in questions and discussion regardless of their age, grade level, or experience. His enthusiasm and friendliness make him a very popular presenter here.
He volunteered a total of 86 different days during 2016.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Bruce Gavett has volunteered a total of four hundred nineteen (419) hours during the 2016 calendar year. This shows his dedication and interest in assisting to educate and engage students and families of all ages in the solar system and astrological topics.
In checking the records of our planetarium attendance, this nominee impacted and presented to a total of nine thousand five hundred fifty-five (9,555) different individuals during the year. This means just under 10,000 people benefited from the efforts of this nominee.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  We have over 100,000 visitors enter SciWorks throughout the entire year. Bruce Gavett's contribution to this establishment and to the mission of SciWorks is invaluable as stated above. He makes a huge difference in the educational outcomes we accomplish.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  This nominee has a keen interest and wide knowledge level of all information dealing with the solar system and astronomy. He has a pleasant personality and relates well with his audience regardless of their backgrounds and/or cultures.
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Nominee Name:  Flossie "Gigi" Jackson
Nominator Name:  Remona Brooks
Reasons for nomination:  Ms. Flossie or "Gigi" as she is affectionately known is a kind, sincere person who cares for and is loved by our students. I believe she's relatd to half the school! She'll walk down the hallway and you'll hear "Hi Gigi" or one of our students will give her a hug. She checks daily on various children and does what she can to make sure they have a coat, jacket, pants, shirts or food, if they need it.

As a member of the Parents in Action project, she is working to increase the number of parents who are actively engaged in the school with staff and their children. We are currently encouraging staff and parents to participate in an exchange of resources through a mechanism known as "Timebanking". Gigi has been instrumental in connecting parents and staff to this new resource. She also coordinates the allocation of school uniforms and additional clothes, Pre-K and Kindergarten with washing of clothes/blankets for their student;, she helps unload, collate, package, and distribute the 1500 snacks that are given out weekly to students. She is one of the primary people who greets and talks to parents that come to visit. She speaks to families in the community about CLMS and encourages them to touch base with staff when they are in need. She is one of the most important people in this school's community in helping the turnaround in attitude and confidence in the staff and the work that we are doing with students with parents.

A skeptic last year and publicly said so, is now a staunch supporter and advocate for Cook Literacy Model School!
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Parent connection and support are two major areas that CLMS is focused on. We are repairing relationships damaged by misinformation, mistrust and misguidance.

Mrs. Flossie Jackson, who last year did not believe we would be able to begin repairing relationships with parents, is now 100% a supporter and believer in the work that is being done by staff for students and families. She is the one carrying the flag, leading the charge on Cook's behalf.

Because she is so well-known in community (either through family ties or being born and raised here) her opinion carries alot of weight. She is not given to telling untruths because she has a very strong faith in God and wants to always represent Him.

She has been the current Past PTA President
Member of the Parents in Action as a Parent Leader
PTA Member
Parent Volunteer on SIT
Boy Scout Den Mother when needed
School Hall Monitor
Proctor
Clothes Washer
Coordinator of uniforms, additional clothing
Snack collation and distribution
Parent Advocate
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  She is here every day, saturdays and sundays when needed.
She helps serve the breakfast and lunch for the Saturday Academy
She helps wash/fold clothes and returns them to the classroom for Prek/K
She helps unload, prepare, distribute 1500 snacks a week for students
She helps setup and take down for school events
She encourages families to participate in the Timebanking project
She helps to encourage our students, reminds them to make good choices, gives them a hug when needed, and is always cheeerful
She is well respected by the staff and endeared by the students
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Bright and cheerful all the time
Loves people - never meets a stranger
Always wants to honor God in her work and life
Cares for her two grandsons
Cares for and looks out for the parents and students at CLMS
Respects and loves the staff and Dr. Wilkins
Is willing to speak before an audience on behalf of the parents
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Kathy Billings Byerly
Nominator Name:  Darlene Talbot
Reasons for nomination:  In the past year Kathy has served the entire Triad community working projects and events partnering with organizations such as City with Dwellings, City Lights Ministry, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Christmas for the City, Joy Prom, Samaritan House, Solus Cristus, Second Harvest Food Bank, Great Commission Community Church and Love Out Loud. Kathy picks up pizza every week - often up to three times per week from the local Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, and Panera Bread restaurants to redistribute to other organizations or she will warm up the food collected and serve it herself at local shelters. Kathy tireless sorts clothing donations by size and distributes according to need to many shelters or at non profit community events depending on need. She packs up bins of shoes and clothes and toiletry items for distribution. Kathy looks for or organizes events specifically to distribute to those in need. Most recently was the Lumberton effort she coordinated immediately upon hearing the need. Kathy is the first to see a need and fill it. This past year Kathy assembled a leadership committee to assist her in project decisions and volunteer coordination. Kathy will go to the ends of earth to find housing, or furniture or fulfill an immediate need for that one person - and there is always that one person in need. Other organizations know that Kathy is the person to contact when a need arises and she comes through giving God the glory each time. She is the selfless hands and feet of Jesus; loving others as Christ loves us.Kathy follows Christ's example helping the homeless, the hungry, the impoverished and the hurting. When people are hurting they need to know that someone cares, that someone is willing to step out of their comfort zone and offer a helping hand….not a hand out, but a hand up. Kathy's primary duty is to offer that hand - lifting up others with the help of God's hand through prayer and encouragement.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  In the past year Kathy has served the entire Triad community working projects and events partnering with organizations such as City with Dwellings, City Lights Ministry, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Christmas for the City, Joy Prom, Samaritan House, Solus Cristus, Second Harvest Food Bank, Great Commission Community Church and Love Out Loud (to name a few). Kathy picks up pizza every week from triad Pizza Huts; she also picks up from Olive Garden, Panera Bread restaurants to redistribute to other organizations or she will warm up the food collected and serve it herself at local shelters. Kathy tireless sorts clothing donations by size and distributes according to need to many shelters or at non profit community events depending on need. She packs up bins of shoes and clothes and toiletry items for distribution. Kathy looks for or organizes events specifically to distribute to those in need. Most recently was the Lumberton effort she coordinated immediately upon hearing the need. Kathy is the first to see a need and fill it. This past year Kathy assembled a leadership committee to assist her in project decisions and volunteer coordination. Kathy will go to the ends of earth to find housing, furniture or fulfill an immediate need for that one person - and there is always that one person in need. Other organizations know that Kathy is the person to contact when a need arises and she comes through giving God the glory each time.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  In the past year Kathy has served the entire Triad community working projects and events partnering with organizations such as City with Dwellings, City Lights Ministry, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Christmas for the City, Joy Prom, Samaritan House, Solus Cristus, Second Harvest Food Bank, Great Commission Community Church and Love Out Loud. Kathy spends hours driving around picking up pizza every week - sometimes three times per week from the triad Pizza Hut; she also picks up food from Olive Garden, and Panera Bread restaurants (and many others who call her) and she distributes to other organizations or she will warm up the food collected and serve it herself at local shelters. Kathy tirelessly sorts clothing donations by size and distributes according to need to many shelters or at non profit community events depending on need. She packs up bins of shoes and clothes and toiletry items for distribution. Kathy looks for or organizes events specifically to distribute to those in need. Most recently was the Lumberton effort she coordinated immediately upon hearing the need. Kathy is the first to see a need and fill it.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Kathy has the special ability to relate to the impoverished and homeless community because the light within her radiates out and consumes the darkness that potentially surrounds those down and out. People feel close to Kathy - she is always happy and extremely kind - people know Kathy can be trusted - they know she is honest with outstanding character. Kathy has a strong faith, integrity and a woman of her word. Kathy knows no stranger - everyone is her friend and many in the triad know Kathy by name or by face. Kathy has a huge heart that loves and lives to help others less fortunate - at every opportunity. Kathy will seek out those opportunities every chance she gets and overcome any obstacle to fulfill a need.
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Lori Mowen
Nominator Name:  Renee Shipko
Reasons for nomination:  Lori Mowen is a selfless, humble person who works every day to support the lives of those living with cancer in our community. As a vice president and controller at Truliant Federal Credit Union, Lori has been involved with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life in Forsyth County for the last 24 years. She has served as Truliant's Team Captain for the last five years including 2016, when the team raised more than $36,000 to support Relay for Life. Lori is also the co-founder of Harvest for Hope, an annual event that also supports the American Cancer Society. Lori also caters dinners for Relay for Life events and supports other cancer-related organizations. Lori is retiring from Truliant Federal Credit Union in March but will continue her volunteer work with Relay for Life in Forsyth County.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Lori is committed to supporting those living with cancer in our community. She has led efforts at Truliant for the past five years to support Relay for Life in Forsyth County, which includes leading a committee of 20 staff members to rally other employees to support Relay for Life. She prepares meals for those living with cancer and for other Relay for Life events and gives back when she can do so. As the vice president and controller at Truliant Federal Credit Union, she engages her employees to give back and support cancer-related causes as well. She also supports employees who are struggling with a cancer diagnosis. Said one employee "Not too many people at the senior level of a company would drive to King on a Saturday to help raise money for a staff member's family, but that is the person she is."
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Lori became involved with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life more than 20 years ago, as friends and family members dealt with cancer. Then she received her own cancer diagnosis and has been cancer-free for a number of years. As a survivor, she doesn't often talk about her cancer diagnosis with others or even publicly, but she uses all of her gifts (cooking, sculpting, etc) to support those living with cancer in our community. She caters meals often to support survivors or those struggling with cancer. She caters meals for fundraising events to help families who may be struggling with a diagnosis. And, her recent love of sculpting gourds has led her to raise more money to support the American Cancer Society by selling her artwork. She has been recognized by Truliant Federal Credit Union with the Volunteer of the Year Award and leads Truliant's fundraising efforts annually for Relay for Life. Over the past 20 years, the credit union has raised more than $160,000 for Relay for Life.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  As mentioned previously, Lori is a gifted cook. She caters meals twice a year at Truliant to raise funds for Relay for Life. She is a co-founder of Harvest for Hope - a nonprofit that organizes a dinner and silent auction annually to support the American Cancer Society. She founded this organization with two former Truliant employees and she prepares all the food for this event. Lori is also an artist and uses her talents to also raise money to support cancer patients. Lori and her partner, Sue, also prepare meals once per month for the SECU House in Winston-Salem. Lori is retiring from Truliant Federal Credit Union at the end of March and it would be a great send-off for her to receive recognition for her years of leadership of Truliant's Relay for Life fundraising efforts. Truliant continues to be the single largest donor to Relay for Life in Forsyth County, and that is mostly due to her commitment, leadership and support.
Comments: (7)
 
Nominee Name:  Lisa Hathaway
Nominator Name:  Chuck Spong
Reasons for nomination:  It is no understatement to say that Lisa may volunteer more hours to serve more of the most vulnerable and overlooked members of community than just about anyone else in Forsyth County.
Lisa is ALWAYS ready and willing to provide whatever leadership or help needed that, in her words, gives people a second chance. She sees the potential and worth in every individual she encounters. She takes phone calls and texts from our homeless friends, trades emails with hundreds of volunteers, and connects large numbers of leaders to one another.
Lisa strikes a strong balance in valuing each person she comes into contact with (whether volunteer, leader or someone she's serving) and doing the work with excellence.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  In multiple groups (Love Out Loud, Anthony's Plot, the Emergency Overflow Shelter, Christmas for the City, and more), Lisa is often known as "the heart" because of her tremendous love for both the people she serves and those she serves alongside of. She tirelessly gives of herself no matter whether anyone else is watching or even available to help.
On any given night throughout the winter, when initial interest at the start of cold weather has faded, Lisa may be checking homeless guests into the shelter, helping with meals, or staying overnight to fill in for a monitor who's fallen on hard times or unable to serve on their shift.
Lisa gives fully of herself no matter the "stature" or standing of who is around her.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  1. Multiple overnight stays each month during the emergency overflow shelter season.
2. Staying in touch with guests of the shelter not only during the winter but throughout the year.
3. Leading the collection of thousands of household supplies given to people moving out of homelessness and into permanent housing and partnering with non-profits and case managers to distribute those items within the context of their ongoing work.
4. Coordinating the participation of many non-profits in Love Out Loud open houses, the Awakening prayer service and Christmas for the City
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  1. excellence
2. follow-through
3. generosity of spirit
4. belief in people
5. organization
6. commitment
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Wells Fargo
Nominator Name:  Anna Donze
Reasons for nomination:  Wells Fargo's strong culture of volunteerism at Samaritan Ministries has grown steadily since they began sending monthly volunteers to the soup kitchen in 2003. Several years later they increased to a weekly commitment and added an annual Day of Service, allowing volunteers to assist in many areas including landscaping and Penny Campaign preparations. The serving line in the new Soup Kitchen is named after Wells Fargo in appreciation of not only their long history of employee involvement but also of their financial support, in particular as we transitioned into our new facility in 2014. During the week of the move we were able to ensure no essential services were interrupted in large part due to the Wells Fargo's preparation and donation of bagged lunches for the soup kitchen.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Wells Fargo volunteers have served as one of our most consistent and long running corporate groups in the soup kitchen. Since 2003, staff, volunteers and guests have looked forward to seeing the red t-shirts of the Wells Fargo volunteers on Friday mornings. Wells Fargo's annual Day of Service also allows us the chance to tackle various projects they our small staff can't complete on our own such as landscaping and assembling Penny Campaign materials. In addition to sponsoring our annual Penny Campaign fundraiser, managers matched employee donations to raise $4,000 in donations.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  While Wells Fargo's weekly and annual volunteer commitments make a huge difference in our regular operations, they truly stepped up the the plate during the move to our new facility in 2014. By preparing bagged meals off-site and providing volunteers to help serve, Wells Fargo ensured that we did not have to skip a single meal as we worked to set up the new kitchen. Their volunteers also bring their own equipment to drill holes in the lids of each Penny Campaign jar that goes out into the community.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  The enthusiasm Wells Fargo volunteers hold for Samaritan Ministries is apparent whether they are running trays in the soup kitchen or replacing shrubs in the parking lot. While individual volunteers may only be at Samaritan Ministries every three months or so, they often come through the door excited to catch up with other volunteers and soup kitchen guests alike. Wells Fargo volunteers often continue to volunteer (and donate) on their own time and seek new ways to engage with the ministry.
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Marcie Hughes
Nominator Name:  Aliza McIlwain
Reasons for nomination:  I am nominating Marcie Hughes for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her commitment, versatility, and natural ability to connect with children, adults, and horses. She has been volunteering at Riverwood for 2½ years, and has committed 101 hours of her time in the past year. She works in multiple riding lessons each week, with riders ranging in age from 3 years old to 23, and is accommodating to their unique needs. Marcie provides enthusiastic support to our young riders, and can seamlessly transition to promoting independence with our adult riders. She is an advocate for our students, and is not afraid to have difficult conversations with staff members and fellow volunteers to ensure their success. Marcie has also worked with and formed bonds with many Riverwood therapy horses, and can confidently lead the most sensitive and challenging ones.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  One of Marcie’s many gifts is her commitment to Riverwood and its students. Because the farm is 30 minutes outside of Winston-Salem, most volunteers work in one class per week. Marcie currently volunteers in four classes, two on Mondays and two on Tuesdays. A typical Tuesday for Marcie is working with two young riders on balance and communication from 10 to 11, and returning from 2 to 3 to assist an adult with independent steering. If her student is absent on a particular day, she will often drive out the farm regardless, to walk or groom a horse. She rarely misses a lesson, and when she does, she is deeply remorseful and disappointed –not only because she feels like she let the students down, but because working with them and the horses brings her great joy.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  In her past year of service at Riverwood, Marcie has helped both children and adults with disabilities overcome obstacles and achieve both riding and life goals. She currently works with 6 students, 4 from the Centers for Exceptional Children, and two adults. As an instructor, I have witnessed her gently encourage a young rider to say “Walk On” for the first time, and offer the support needed to give a small, fragile student the opportunity to ride tall and safely on a horse's back. Marcie has helped a young woman become confident enough to ride up and down the hills of Riverwood’s trails. She has also helped a young adult mount and steer more independently by offering just the right amount support when leading his horse. Marcie has played a crucial part in Riverwood achieving its mission in the special needs community.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  It takes a special person to form a trustworthy and respectful relationship with a horse. One of the many reasons Marcie stands out as a volunteer is her curiosity and ability to connect with these sensitive prey animals. Riverwood opens its summer riding program to the community, including able-bodied individuals, and Marcie rode for 8 weeks last summer. She gained insight and empathy toward both our students and therapy horses during this experience, and grew into an even stronger volunteer. She is often the instructors’ “go-to” leader for our more challenging horses, including Pet. Pet is a sassy and strong-willed, but fiercely loyal mare who many volunteers find intimidating –not Marcie! Each time Marcie works with Pet, she approaches her with patience and understanding, which helps Pet perform her job confidently and successfully.
Comments: (4)
 
Nominee Name:  Lindsay Hodgson
Nominator Name:  Charmon Baker
Reasons for nomination:  Chair, Lindsay Hodgson of the Junior League's Strong Women Strong Families committee is being nominated for her outstanding service to the community. Lindsay has lead the Junior League's Strong Women Strong Family committee by putting in countless hours, planning, and developing key initiatives and executing them flawlessly. The objective of the Junior League's Strong Women Strong Families is to provide women with the information and tools to live a healthier life for themselves and for their family. Lindsay's vision was to provide volunteers for four wellness events throughout the year at a Title 1 school. Lindsay and her committee decided to conduct the wellness events on-site at Kimberly Park Elementary. Each Wellness event has a nutritional/cooking class component and a health screening component. Junior League volunteers conduct live cooking demonstrations to teach the participants a few healthy cooking techniques. The participants were given can food , fresh vegetables and microwavable steamers to try the healthy cooking at home. The kids who attended the event were engaged by participating in a healthy eating activity in which the kids made animal figures out of food. Lindsay was instrumental in establishing the partnerships with several Medical Professionals in the community who lend their time and expertise to help provide medical and dental screenings to adults and children during the wellness event. The Wellness events held this year were a huge success. The September 23, 2016 event had 164 participants. Approximately 43 adult health screenings were conducted. The November 3, 2016 follow up event, had 75 attendees the number of adults that attended a wellness class was 40. The February 2, 2017 event reached out to local schools in the Winston-Salem community. There were 27 schools represented and 218 attendees.There were 28 participants in the healthy eating class, 5 attended the pelvic health class. 49 children received dental screenings.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Lindsay is the mother of 3 children. Even while expecting her last child, she maintained a rigorous volunteer schedule. Lindsay served as the Christmas Auction chair of the Westwood Garden Club for the past two years. She also assisted on the Garden Council this past fall. Lindsay worked as a teacher mentor at St. Leo's until this past summer. She also helped organize and evaluate children for St. Leo's reading enrichment program. Lindsay volunteers at her daughter's school for parties and holidays as a grade parent. She and her children make holiday cards for Ronald McDonald House and deliver blessing bags to the poor. Lindsay was the Children's Museum Soiree committee chair last year. She also coached girls soccer this past soccer season.
Lindsay has really shined while planning the Strong Women Strong Families wellness event for the Junior League of Winston-Salem.
She has spent numerous hours conducting interest meetings, lining up partnerships with medical professionals, and meeting with school officials to kick off the wellness event for Kimberly Park School. Lindsay has spent on average 4-5 hours weekly volunteering in the above mentioned capacities. She is always ready to lead and lend a helping hand in the community.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Lindsay has been awarded with the Junior League's, JL AWARD. The JL AWARD recognized Lindsay for the hard work and commitment to Women's Health.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Lindsay is very hard working, caring, self motivated and a great public speaker.
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Chris Kelsey and Loretta Arnn
Nominator Name:  Melissa Payton
Reasons for nomination:  The main reason for nominating Chris and Loretta-They are the epitome of what volunteers should strive for in their service to a nonprofit, to families in need, and to a community. They both bring professional and personal experiences important to our goal to close the achievement gap in our community. Their experience with child development and family engagement has provided Imprints Cares endless opportunities to effect change through programs and executive management. Their joy in in keeping our daily operations humming along is appreciated as it supports our much needed spaces for our mission work. When you walk the halls of Imprints Cares—you’ll see their “imprint.” They are critical thinkers with a proactive eye for organization, detail, and efficiencies. Thanks to them, we have a child development resource room, book giving library, marketing event needs closet, and client records area. They proactively dug through, inventoried, labeled, assembled, and more—improving our staff productivity. Actually, they had to do this several times this past year as we re-shifted our offices and transformed the addition of our new family enrichment center. They jumped in with the same enthusiasm each time. They are overachievers and surprise us by going above and beyond even down to special details such as hand making a framework structure to hold a collection children’s puzzles by topic or taking home gently used baby clothes-mending or cleaning them or taking special care by using calligraphy to handwrite our fundraising invitations or bringing handmade cards and holiday crafts to our staff (it truly is the small things that can matter the most). When our agency moved to rebrand our name, vision, and mission—they provided important feedback critical to this change. They also gave extra time to ready our big reveal through event logistics at our open house. They seem to always have us on their minds. They’ll email, call, update on the next visit—an observation to improve a process or bring an item(s) a family could use or give us an idea of other areas they can help. We tally an estimated 500 hours collectively just in this past year at Imprints Cares. Chris and Loretta also make time to volunteer with PDSSN and UU Fellowship WS--amazing. We believe they should be recognized, honored, and appreciated with a 2017 FC Governor's Volunteer Service Award!
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Our ED reminded us 12 years ago, Chris signed on as Board president. She also led the effort in transforming our employee and client confidentiality program—including training to the staff. During this time—she initiated and implemented the development of performance appraisals, refresh of nonprofit bylaws and financial tracking, as well as a new record-keeping system. Loretta also played an important role as she championed child development and family-centered projects and activities that supported proficiencies to the family educator home visiting and pre-k programs. They both proactively established a comprehensive children’s catalog library as well as a detailed method for client audit records retention and disposal. Chris and Loretta provided a comprehensive reset of Imprints Cares excellence in nonprofit management that exists today. They’ve now been instrumental in handling our continuous family satisfaction surveys to help monitor and improve our work with our clients These surveys allow us to fix meaningful problems, assess our staff performance, improve our processes, and understand our client’s needs. This has been critical in developing strong relationships with our families we serve as well as delivering outstanding program outcomes to our funders. They truly are a “win win” to all of us as we move the needle in partnership with families in need on their journey to success in school and in life. Chris and Loretta are champions, ambassadors, and trusted advisors making a difference in our agency and our community.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Chris and Loretta meet the critical needs in our community also by volunteering with Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network (PDSSN) and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem (UU Fellowship WS). In the past, Chris also was on the board of Family Services for 4 years as well. Their volunteer service is geared to the lives of children in need, children of exceptional needs, children of diversity, children of all walks of life and their families so they have equal opportunities and a voice in our community. Combined—they gave an estimated 1,150 hours to all three of our organizations just this past year! At Imprints Cares—a few examples of how they were instrumental in supporting our growth so that we may reach more families in need—they personally raised awareness through their connections as well as their own donations; supported fundraising events managing raffle/invitations/registration logistics; and, handled summer camp surveys to enhance our service—they are part of the team effort in exceeding our financial goals. They also continue to find new ways to enhance our services. An example, the brought together a collaboration with PDSSN. Our ED now serves on their board committee, and we launched a new before and after as well as summer camp service for exceptional needs children. Together, we work with PDSSN to connect families that need this new service. Chris and Loretta enjoy the fruits of their labor seeing children learning and laughing in after school.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Chris retired from B.A.B.I.E.S. where she served as Director. Loretta retired as a certified Infant-Toddler Family Specialist. They both served the same mission with early childhood intervention to partner with families of at-risk children with delays and/or disabilities. While battling severe health problems, Loretta didn’t stop her service. Their leadership and advocacy assisted countless families in maximizing their child's physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development. This same kindness is seen in their personal life. When Loretta met Chris, her son, and daughter—her children loved her immediately. They both love being moms and grandmoms to 4 sweet little ones. Chris also chose to be a foster mom to 17 children. She shared her first was a 5-day old baby born in a mental facility. When the nurse came to their home, she told Chris’ family her name was Wendy. Her young son exclaimed “That is what we named her!” They were all in. She says, “Being a faster mom was a special blessing in our lives.” I read a quote they recently shared, “Every woman, and every man, too, must take responsibility in their hearts for all children. We adults are the parental generation. Every child is our child. To ignore the state of our children is to ignore the state of our world. Wounded children become wounded adults, and wounded adults can destroy a planet.” [Williamson]. Chris and Loretta “walk the walk.”
Comments: (15)
 
Nominee Name:  Burnadette Pegeuese
Nominator Name:  Fran Bates Oates
Reasons for nomination:  Ms. Pegeuese is a grandmother raising her grandchild. She is active in the school daily and provides assistance for teachers and parents as asked. She is humble about her volunteering and is dedicated to it. She does not want to miss a day volunteering and encourages her grand daughter not to miss a day of school either.

As a retired school principal, I know the value of having dedicated parents and parents you could depend on to assist. To have a parent that will serve in any capacity in the school is valuable. Ms. Pegeuese volunteers to increase PTA membership and encourages parents to get involved in the school.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  For over 20 years Ms. Pegeuese has served on the Board of Directors for Black Achievers. Black Achievers is an organization through the Northwest YMCA. It provides academic achievement activities and career development for middle and high school youth and teens. Serving multicultural teens in the community, Ms. Pegeuese facilitates the planning and implementation of many activities for the youth that include SAT and college preparation, college tours, volunteer activities in the community, arts and special entertainment trips, and workshops on computers and technology and law and government.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  For over 20 years, Ms. Pegeuese has been chair of the Gala committee that plans the culminating activity for the students and business employees being recognized each year. The students who meet certain criteria receive scholarships for college or study beyond high school. The business leaders who have made contributions to the community based on specific criteria receive award plaques. Ms. Pegeuese serves on the committee that screens the applications as well as planning the agenda, speaker, venue, and meal for the Gala.

In addition to serving in this capacity, Ms. Pegeuese also conducts the Saturday mentoring and tutoring sessions for the students and leads the Career Clusters. She does fundraising for the organization to get sponsors, patrons for the Gala, and scholarships for the students.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Event planning, mentoring, tutoring, marketing and sales, fundraising, community volunteer
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Janet B. Garrison
Nominator Name:  Carol Templeton
Reasons for nomination:  Forsyth Backpack Program (FBP), is an all-volunteer local non-profit, with the mission of feeding chronically hungry children in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. We serve as a partner agency to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC (“Second Harvest”) as well as a resource to other backpack programs in the county. With five working Board members, and a limited number of committee members, we are able to provide thousands of nutritious weekend and long holiday meals to hundreds of students by networking with local businesses, civic groups, churches, universities, and community volunteers. In 2016, we operated 8 School Programs, serving approximately 325 students each school year weekend, approximately 48,100 meals. In addition, we provided from 1100-1500 students in up to 20 schools approximately 54,688 meals to cover the entire Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Memorial Day breaks. As a result of these meals, the students we served returned to school better able to learn and play. Janet Garrison is essential to the functioning of FBP and fulfillment of our mission. She is passionate about feeding children and is constantly thinking of ways to further our mission. Janet places a high priority on her work for FBP, taking her responsibilities as seriously if she were making a six figure salary. She devoted an average of 20-25 hours per week to fulfilling her responsibilities in multiple roles as de facto inventory controller, immediate past treasurer, and founding Board member. She was solely responsible for logistics involving inventory orders, pick up and distribution from Second Harvest for our 8 School Programs throughout the year, and was solely responsible for all aspects of site suitability, inventory pick up and distribution for our 6 packing events, where corporate, community and university volunteers packed 1500 cases, or 48,000 meals. She met with school personnel to provide support to the programs and to offer creative solutions to problems that arose. She approached all Board decisions with thought and voiced her opinions in a constructive manner. Janet looked to the future and encouraged us to set goals and to create a map to make that future a reality. Simply put, Janet is an invaluable asset to FBP. She makes a better today for the children we serve, so they and our entire community can have a better tomorrow.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Janet is passionate about feeding children and willingly takes on additional responsibilities to further our mission. Janet devoted an average of 20-25 hours per week to fulfilling her responsibilities as inventory controller, immediate past treasurer, and Board member. As inventory controller for our School Programs, she determined school quarterly needs; placed food orders with Second Harvest; tracked invoices; organized volunteers to pick up at Second Harvest and deliver to schools; coordinated with schools for deliveries; problem solved, and completed monthly reports to Second Harvest for each school. As inventory controller for our Holiday Supplemental Program packing events, she calculated the number of individual items sufficient to pack 48,000 meals; arranged pick up of food items from Second Harvest; determined needs and obtained necessary supplies; arranged for distribution of food after the event; arranged for cardboard recycling; and re-used boxes from our school programs. In order to better serve FBP, Janet enrolled at Salem College, excelling in several non-profit classes. Further, she asked her husband for a pick-up truck for her birthday so she could transport food. (She didn’t get the truck, but the request shows her commitment!) Although relinquishing her treasurer position, Janet continued to provide support to the new treasurer, and completed reports necessary for successful grant applications for $20,000. Janet places FBP right behind her family (sometimes even above) on her scale of priorities.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  In 2016, the Winston-Salem MSA ranked 11th worst in the country for families with children suffering from food insecurity, down from 1st in 2010. As a founding Board member, inventory controller, and past treasurer, Janet played a crucial role in fighting childhood hunger in our community by facilitating the distribution of over 100,000 meals to hundreds of students. As Board member, she played an integral role in making decisions and providing insights, strategies and vision to sustain and expand both our School and Holiday Supplemental Programs. As inventory controller for our School Programs, she was responsible for coordinating the distribution of approximately 48,100 meals, a process which required working with Second Harvest, corporate and individual volunteers, and school administration. As inventory controller for our Holiday Supplemental Program, Janet was responsible for distribution of approximately 48,000 meals packed and delivered by volunteers (plus 6,688 pre-packaged meals) to approximately 1100-1500 students in 20 schools. As past treasurer, Janet continued to provide guidance and support to the new treasurer, and completed reports necessary for successful grant applications for $20,000. As a direct result of Janet’s passion, dedication and action, hundreds of children had nourishment for their bodies, minds and souls. These children knew that someone cared for them and someone literally had their backs. That someone was Janet.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Janet communicated effectively with those inside and outside our organization. To fulfill her multiple roles, she had to communicate effectively with FBP colleagues, Second Harvest, corporate, civic, university and individual volunteers, as well as school administration. She kept our programs and packing events running smoothly, provided clear written and verbal instructions on assigned duties, and coordinated the distribution of over 100,000 meals. In other words, she is an organizational and logistics wizard. She understands accounting principles and presented treasurer reports in a clear and understandable manner throughout the year, until handing off those duties. As a Board member, she was a creative problem solver and emphasized the need for sustainability of our current programs, while looking for ways to expand our reach within our capabilities. Janet is a consensus builder and a listener and worked to bring others together on potentially divisive issues. Janet inspired others to become involved with FBP and to make a commitment to our children. Janet is goal oriented and worked in a deliberate, insightful and thoughtful manner to help us reach our organizational goals. Janet's wide ranging skills are invaluable to our organization.
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Burnadette Pegeuese
Nominator Name:  Donald Hampton
Reasons for nomination:  Ms Pegeuese has been supportive of Smith Farm, she volunteers in every capacity where she is needed. The students love her so much and she loves them. She helps with the school carline every morning, greeting the students and their parents. She is very much a access to our school
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  My conversations with Ms Pegeuese she talks the volunteer work she does in the communities, with schools, YMCA, and students. How the children are her pride and joy. She has a granddaughter who attends Smith Farm, she will be in middle school next year, she promises to volunteer at Smith Farm
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Volunteer with various organizations, she raises money for scholarships for students to attend college
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Volunteer, fundraiser
Comments: (0)
 
Nominee Name:  Carl and Sue Baker
Nominator Name:  Drea Parker
Reasons for nomination:  Carl and Sue are being nominated for the depth of their commitment to The Shepherd's Ceter and to their congregation,Trinity Presbyterian Church. Carl just completed his ninth year of service in The Shepherd's Center's Transportation Program. Sue provides exemplary service in her role as Faith Community Nurse at Trinity Presbyterian Church.Sue led the congregation to receive their fourth year of Gold Certification recognition by the Partners for Health and Wholeness through the NC Council of Churches. Both of them serve their church and The Shepherd's Center through quiet yet powerful acts of compassion and caring.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Carl is faithful and consistent in his commitment. Each week, he takes 2-3 older adults to medical appointments, making sure they get there safely and providing caring companionship on the way. Sometimes one appointement can take four hours or more. Carl responds willingly to the need. He is wam and willing in all that he does and riders will often ask for him to be their driver. Sue is steadfast in her dedication and enthusiasm for the health and wellbeing of others, using her role as Faith Community Nurse to guide her church members toward health and wholeness. Both Carl and Sue express their commitment in quiet, unassuming ways. Their level of commitment is evidenced by the longevity of their services to The Shepherd's Center and to their church.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Since Carl began volunteering with The Shepherd's Center in 2008, he has driven over 23,000 miles and provided 1300 rides for older adults. He truly sees his involvement as an act of service to those who need his help. Sue has served her congregation in their health ministry efforts for over 17 years and since the beginning of the Shepherd's Center's Congregational Nurse and Health Ministry Program eight years ago has been a strong supporter and advocate for that program and for new Faith Community Nurses. She has provided at least 3060 hours of care to members of her congregation which translates to $61,200 of free access to care. In addition to home and hospital visits and newsletter articles, she has led her church to serve healthy food choices at gatherings and has helped them develop a community garden. Ofteintimes delayed or late access to care results in worsening health conditons and unnecessary hospitalizations. Sue's work as a Faith Community Nurse and her emphasis on healthy lifestyles and preventive care has enhanced the health and wellbeing of many in her congregation.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Both Carl and Sue exhibit the ability to devote themselves to a service and stick with it for the long haul. This long-term commitment to an organization or cause is rare in today's culture. Both of them possess an ability to relate to all kinds of people with warmth, compassion, and openness. Sue uses her special training and skills as a nurse to serve the member of her congregation in ways that enhance the life of that faith community. In addition, she uses her certification in Healing Touch to add another creative dimension to her ministry. Both Sue and Carl view their service as a calling. Their pastor says, I don't know what we would do without these two."
Comments: (1)
 
Nominee Name:  Carrie Bardwell
Nominator Name:  Larnitha Hunter
Reasons for nomination:  It is with great pleasure I nominate my mother, Ms. Carrie Bardwell for consideration for the 2017 Governor's Volunteer Service Award Forsyth County. It is in recognition of her tireless efforts in stepping forward and recognizing the additional need for supporting the educational system in the Winston Salem Forsyth County School district. In the past 10 years, she has volunteered at numerous elementary schools. She is currently a very active volunteer at Ibraham Elementary School. She is so dedicated to her volunteer work, prior to coming to Ibraham she showed up to work on a snow day and was sent home by the Principal. She volunteers her time and efforts not only in our school district but also in various other organizations within the community. Her hard work and diligence to support our school is commendable and her commitment to excellence is most impressive.
Ms. Bardwell genuinely cares about the success of our students and is willing to do whatever it takes to support our teachers and students.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Ms. Bardwell demonstrates an overwhelming desire to help teacher to achieve success, with a desire to make their jobs easier. Her ultimate goal is to see student achievement and growth.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Ms. Bardwell is a cancer survivor, survived an aneurysm and an overturn car accident; and at the age of 78, she continued to make her way to school every Monday and Wednesday and any other day when needed ready to help and support.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Ms. Bardwell is self motivating. A lady of great integrity and a role model for both adults and children.
Comments: (3)
 
Nominee Name:  The Junior League of Winston-Salem's BookWORM Committee
Nominator Name:  Lisa Aft, Executive Administrator of Amos Cottage, Inc.
Reasons for nomination:  The Junior League of Winston-Salem’s BookWORM initiative is designed to expose as many children as possible in the Winston-Salem community to free books. In the past year, this program has distributed approximately 10,000 books into the local community. Over 3,000 books from this project have been donated directly to local public schools. Philo Hill received 1,000 books from BookWORM this fall in order to establish the Rodney Ellis Literacy Dream Center to honor the memory of a beloved local educator.
Sixty-one percent of low-income families do not have books in their homes. Research shows that the most successful way to improve reading achievement is to increase access to printed materials. The North Carolina Read to Achieve program, which became effective at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, set a goal to ensure every student read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade. BookWORM has developed partnerships with local literacy organizations, including Smart Start of Forsyth County, Amos Cottage, Imprints Cares, El Buen Pastor, and Read WS, and this network serves the needs of 14,500 children in Forsyth County.
Here’s a testimonial from a media coordinator in Forsyth County Public Schools: “BookWORM has been an absolute blessing for our school. We work for a Title 1 school that services students who experience high levels of poverty. We operate on a 100 percent free lunch basis, and for many of our students, this lunch is one of the only meals they will eat in the day. A gift of any sort is special for these students who have so little, a book even more so. Studies show that reading even five to fifteen minutes a day helps improve literacy and student success rates in school. By giving these students books to help build their personal libraries and improving the offerings of their school library, BookWORM is quite literally providing these students with an increased chance of a successful school career and an enhanced life. Our students’ eyes lit up when they first saw us bringing the books into our school, and it was easy to see that they were excited about the prospect of so many great titles waiting for them to read. Simply put, BookWORM is working to kindle that love of literature that is core to a successful child.”
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Outstanding commitment: BookWORM harnesses the entire membership of the Junior League of Winston-Salem (JLWS) through book drives in both the fall and spring. In the fall, Junior League members commit to support literacy in the local community by purchasing and/or donating books to literacy partners, which include Smart Start of Forsyth County, Amos Cottage, Imprints Cares, El Buen Pastor, and Read WS. The BookWORM coalition of partner organizations serves the needs of 14,500 children in Forsyth County. During the spring book drive, JLWS members collect books from neighbors, local community groups, family, and friends to share the power of literacy and increase awareness about local literacy efforts. This endeavor brings together a number of community members to support educational and literacy efforts through Winston-Salem.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Although BookWORM is only in its third year, it has consistently grown by leaps and bounds as reputable resource in the local community for supporting literacy. Books donated by BookWORM have made a real impact on thousands of local children—many of them who have never before had a book of their own before this program began. BookWORM supports the program and mission of a number of local non-profits, including Smart Start of Forsyth County, Amos Cottage, Imprints Cares, El Buen Pastor, and Read WS, while offering a unique and much needed community need. There is no doubt that this program supports learning and that it targets families and children who most need support.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  The special quality of the BookWORM project is that it supplies free books to children of all ages. Books have the ability to transport students throughout the world—and giving a child his or her very own book is a powerful thing. BookWORM’s strength is that it leverages our book donations in coordination with local programs to strength all local literacy initiatives by making books available to all.
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Nominee Name:  Erin Turner
Nominator Name:  Jessica Simcox
Reasons for nomination:  After recognizing the high volume of strays and abandoned dogs within the Forsyth County area, Erin recognized the community’s critical need for animal rescue, and became the founder, president, manager, and visionary of Stepping Stones Canine Rescue, an organization uniquely successful in placing abandoned and stray dogs, many with special needs, in homes appropriate for them and their adoptive families. Erin distinguishes herself in the field of canine rescue in knowing that in order to achieve the perfect match for a dog and a family, she and her fellow volunteers must spend countless hours assessing dogs, and then must spend just as much time assessing families and their homes to find the perfect match for both. Finding the perfect match means the greatest possibility of single placement for these dogs, which minimizes anxiety for many dogs who have gone through enough trauma. Finding the perfect match also results in less stress for families, who can then provide nurturing, safe, forever homes for these wonderful dogs. Erin has compassion for and commitment to the welfare of every dog she encounters, but what truly sets her apart is her skills as a manager; her fellow volunteers share her vision and are committed to her level of attention to detail, thus dramatically increasing the rates of positive, single placement for rescued dogs.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Erin is willing to do whatever it takes to help dogs in need, and for example, once camped out in her car in the woods to secure a terrified, stray dog. She assessed and placed this particular dog into a wonderful home where he - and his new family- are now thriving. Other examples of going the extra mile include maintaining veterinary records, vaccine and preventative care schedules, and adoption schedules. In addition, Erin and her fellow volunteers check vet references and perform home visits for all potential adopters to ensure the families are equipped to bring their new companions into their homes for the entirety of their dog’s lives.
In addition, Erin has a full-time job outside of Stepping Stones Canine Rescue, but simply stated, Erin’s volunteer hours and level of success implementing and managing the Stepping Stones Canine Rescue organization and placement system surpass what is usually expected of someone in a full-time, paid position. Erin performs these volunteer duties even as she maintains her full-time day job.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Through Stepping Stones Canine Rescue, Erin and her team help hundreds of dogs per year find loving forever homes, but beyond the successful placement of dogs, Erin and her team understand the importance of educating potential adopters and the community regarding proper canine care. Erin works with many organizations and businesses throughout the community to raise awareness about canine rescue and works with these organizations to raise funds to care for dogs in need. She also effectively uses social media, particularly the Stepping Stones Canine Rescue Facebook page and website, to communicate the rescue program’s events and general educational information to the public.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Erin has exceptional management skills, an unparalleled work ethic, is extremely organized and knowledgeable regarding every aspect of canine rescue, and is committed to her volunteer work. She has excellent communication skills, which enables her to take advantage of community resources and community contacts. She incorporates creative and innovative ideas for canine rescue, and combines these skills with patience in working with special needs dogs. She leads and motivates her team by the example she sets. Finally, she recognizes the importance of acknowledging donors with implementing a system of mailing donation receipts and handwritten thank you notes to all donors, and has successfully held fundraisers to generate money for canine veterinary care. It is hard to imagine anyone more dedicated and successful than Erin Turner in the canine rescue field.
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Nominee Name:  Ron Wixson
Nominator Name:  Anna Donze
Reasons for nomination:  Ron Wixson has been an active volunteer with Samaritan Ministries for over 11 years, and he has never stopped seeking out new ways to engage with our guests or assist staff. He serves as a passionate advocate for the shelter and soup kitchen in his work, church and daily life. Ron brings equal enthusiasm to any task put before him, from drilling holes in all of the lids for the Penny Campaign fundraiser to spending the night to serve dinner and breakfast to our shelter residents.Through his work with F3, Ron has consistently demonstrated his interest not only in providing for an individuals basic needs, but also in building lasting relationships and encouraging mental and spiritual well-being.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Over the course of his 11 years working with Samaritan Ministries, Ron's commitment to serving the hungry and homeless of Winston Salem has only grown. Ron is always willing to help out wherever he is needed, and more often than not he will suggest ways he could be doing more. Never losing sight of the big picture, Ron always encourages his fellow volunteers to think about how their service fits into Samaritan Ministries as a whole. His personal commitment to volunteerism is an inspiration to his peers and plays a large part in his success coordinating groups from his church to serve in the overnight shelter.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Ron's annual efforts to coordinate overnight shelter volunteers for the month of December is a huge undertaking and not without significant impact at Samaritan Ministries. His planning and recruitment efforts not only provide reliable volunteers in the shelter, but allow Samaritan Ministries staff to devote more time to special events and programming between Thanksgiving & Christmas. His exceptional organizational skills and sincere compassion for our guests encourages many volunteer who may not have otherwise served at Samaritan Ministries. While we have many groups who schedule multiple overnight shifts throughout the year, Ron is the only volunteer who takes on an entire month.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Ron’s heart for service is apparent in all he does and is infectious to those around him. His compassion extends not only to the guests of the soup kitchen and shelter, but also to the staff and volunteers on the front lines and behind the scenes. He is equally willing to tackle hands-on work and administrative challenges and always seeks to leave things better than he found them.
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Nominee Name:  Barbara Raffaldini
Nominator Name:  Ginger Hendricks
Reasons for nomination:  Bookmarks announced last April that we are creating a new home for the literary arts in downtown Winston-Salem to open this summer. This is a HUGE step for our organization as this new space will incorporate Bookmarks' offices, a meeting and conference room, and a nonprofit independent bookstore. Barbara has volunteered her expertise in law and as a business owner to help us with every aspect of this process from landlord and contractor meetings and negotiations to design for our new home (both inside and outside) and the employee manual and needs for volunteers/staff. She is the first to step in and attended enough meetings in 2016 to qualify her for a part-time position!
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Even when traveling, Barbara arranges for conference calls to be available when we need her so she can participate in conversations and updates about the new space. She serves as a Board liaison for everything related to our new home and helped to finalize our negotiations for our lease so that the landlords and the Board were happy. She has helped us so we can move and open to the public this summer. She is always the first to volunteer - and a joy to be around!
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Barbara has worked with Bookmarks in all negotiations and planning with our new space. She has helped us produce official staff contracts and further professionalize the organization, which was one of the major goals of the Executive Board for 2016/2017. She believes wholeheartedly in our mission and has helped with everything from our Festival to author signings to hospitality to handling ticketing for venues that are very crowded at our Festival. She has been chosen to begin as Vice President in the fall of 2017 on our Executive Board because of her dedication. In 2 and a half years, she has become invaluable!
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Barbara is a real estate attorney and NC based vineyard owner. She is also one of the best negotiators we’ve ever seen! She is well read, funny, a great leader, and incredibly intelligent. She takes on new tasks and ideas – and thrives. She is enthusiastic and passionate about books and reading - and everything Bookmarks!
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Nominee Name:  Roy Johnson
Nominator Name:  Lisa Northrop
Reasons for nomination:  While the SECU Family House only charges $35/night for guests to stay, we need to keep up the appearances of a 5-star hotel. Roy’s help every week making sure the kitchen is clean and organized is much more important than it sounds. His work ethic leads him to not only complete his tasks, but he always takes the initiative to take it a step further. For example, he doesn’t just wipe down the counters and the toaster ovens in the kitchen, but he cleans under them, and all but disassembles them to get every unseen nook and cranny deep cleaned. He doesn’t just sweep the dining room – he puts the chairs on the tables, slides the tables to the side, and replaces the pads missing on the chair legs. He really goes above and beyond.

Roy has a huge heart, and it shows with his interactions with guests. He personally connects with the families he encounters in the kitchen or dining room. They easily open up and share their story with him, which only fuels his dedication to his work at the Family House.

About a year into his volunteer service, we knew that he would be a strong and effective board member. His dual service as a house volunteers only strengthens his effectiveness as a board member. He shares stories from his guest interactions with other board members to help them understand our mission better. Not only does he actively participate, his preparation for board and finance committee meetings is exemplary. He uses his background in business and finance to ask smart questions and problem solve. This year, he helped connect us with potential fundraising event sponsor and participant – the beginning of what can be a growing relationship.

His service averages 125 hours a year.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Roy is a consistent volunteer on our schedule, serving 3 hours a week every week. Since his first volunteer shift, Roy has volunteered 250 hours in the house. That doesn’t count the time it takes for him to prepare and attend board meetings and functions.

His service saves us the time and money of housekeeping staff and now we can pass the savings on to our guests. Our board would miss his visible passion for those we serve and his fair and thoughtful eyes when it comes to financial management.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Volunteering 125 hours in 2016, Roy impacts the lives of the 45 families who stay overnight at the Family House each evening. Each guest that uses the kitchen should appreciate the dedication of Roy who makes sure the kitchen is a safe, clean, and happy environment. In fact, the reviews on Facebook, and the exit surveys consistently say that 94% or more guests are extremely satisfied with the level of cleanliness in the kitchen. They are also 100% extremely satisfied with the level of professionalism of our staff and volunteers. Roy certainly helps guests feel this way.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  ~Initiative: Roy takes on projects and always takes it a step further than a typical volunteer. Or he sees something that needs to be done, and goes ahead and takes care of it.
~Empathy: Roy has personal experience with family members in medical crisis, but also simply has a huge heart. He easily connects with families staying at the Family House. He takes the stories he learns during his volunteer shifts and shares them again with our Board of Directors. His enthusiasm is contagious and helps other board members connects a bit more with the mission.
~Financial Expertise: As former CEO and owner of several national companies, Roy has a financial acumen that brings good questions and problem solving skills to the table.
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Nominee Name:  Ross Pfeiffer
Nominator Name:  Meghan Parsons
Reasons for nomination:  Ross settled into a happy rhythm after moving to Winston-Salem, taking several visual arts classes between travel adventures. It wasn’t long before word got around that there was fundraising professional in the building who had some free time – in 2014 Ross was asked to join the Sawtooth Board of Directors. The timing was perfect as Sawtooth was planning to launch a Major Gifts Campaign in 2015. Ross proved an invaluable member of the team as he helped coach the board in the finer points of development and guide the campaign to successfully raise $420,000 to date.

In November of 2016, Executive Director, JoAnne Vernon had to step down from her position due to health reasons. Ross offered to resign from the board and join the staff as an unpaid Development Director. He has worked with the staff to grow the organization’s donor base, and shepherd our annual fund and grant writing efforts. Ross has been a guide and mentor to the staff – making it clear that development falls into everyone’s job description. He has taught us that development is about building relationships and giving donors an opportunity to make a difference in a meaningful way.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Ross settled into a happy rhythm after moving to Winston-Salem, taking several visual arts classes between travel adventures. It wasn’t long before word got around that there was fundraising professional in the building who had some free time – in 2014 Ross was asked to join the Sawtooth Board of Directors. The timing was perfect as Sawtooth was planning to launch a Major Gifts Campaign in 2015. Ross proved an invaluable member of the team as he helped coach the board in the finer points of development and guide the campaign to successfully raise $420,000 to date.

In November of 2016, Executive Director, JoAnne Vernon had to step down from her position due to health reasons. Ross offered to resign from the board and join the staff as an unpaid Development Director. He has worked with the staff to grow the organization’s donor base, and shepherd our annual fund and grant writing efforts. Ross has been a guide and mentor to the staff – making it clear that development falls into everyone’s job description. He has taught us that development is about building relationships and giving donors an opportunity to make a difference in a meaningful way
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  The value Ross brings to the Sawtooth School is immeasurable. He could easily have argued that he’d done his part and no one would have blamed him. Ross proved an invaluable member of the team as he helped coach the board in the finer points of development and guide the campaign to successfully raise $420,000 to date. We are nominating Ross to express our gratitude that he was willing to step back into the workplace to help the organization through a challenging time.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Ross’ many years of professional experience in fundraising and relationship building have been so helpful to Sawtooth. He has been able teach and share his knowledge with the staff so that we may build on the fundraising foundation that he is creating for us which will allow us to be successful fundraisers for years to come.
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Nominee Name:  Holly Ivey
Nominator Name:  Heather Martin
Reasons for nomination:  Dr. Ivey is an incredible medical provider with a compassionate heart. Dr. Ivey stands out among the rest for her consistency. Week after week, Dr. Ivey reports for duty. She rarely misses a week, and she serves faithfully with a smile on her face.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  While we have many weekly medical volunteers, Dr. Ivey is the only weekly medical volunteer who is still in active practice! The majority of our volunteers are retired, and those who are not come monthly or biweekly at most. It is rare to find a provider who is willing to work at least 40 hours per week at their paid job and still find the time and passion to volunteer. Dr. Ivey’s commitment to our patients is extraordinary.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Dr. Ivey sees an average of ten patients during her weekly rotations with us. That’s ten people per week whose lives are directly affected by her service. Our patients love Dr. Ivey and often request her by name, even offering to wait a bit longer to see her specifically.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Not only is she a highly trained medical professional, but she is also bilingual, making her service to our patients that much more valuable. Her ability to communicate with our Latino patients in their native language puts them at ease, and is an invaluable asset.
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Nominee Name:  Dustin Freeman
Nominator Name:  Sue Reichel
Reasons for nomination:  Dustin Freeman is a 29 year old young man, who can steal your heart the minute he smiles at you on Wednesday or Thursday morning. Dustin comes in with his caregiver, LaShay, he signs in and gives you a big "Hey" with the most heart-warming smile. He probably stands close to 6'4" in height, if not taller, and when he hugs you, you know it is from his heart. Dustin is a volunteer who started with us when he was 12 years old, and has grown up before our very own eyes. Dustin suffered a severe brain trauma at age 2, and is truly a volunteer displaying true perseverance in order to serve others.
Dustin is quick to introduce himself to fellow volunteers, and is ready to work when he arrives; in fact he is usually two steps ahead of his caregiver, LaShay, as they head towards the warehouse. His enthusiasm and hardworking attitude are admired by his fellow volunteers.
Dustin has learned how to use the pallet jack to move boxes in the Salvage Sorting rooms to their final destination, all while displaying that incredible smile on his face. Dustin knows how important his service every Wednesday and Thursday morning is to feeding our communities within our 18 county service area.
Dustin may have suffered a terrible trauma that has left him limited in some abilities other individuals are blessed with, or take for granted; however, his perseverance to volunteer is proof overcoming obstacles is possible, and giving your time and skills to help others is imperative.
It is with great pride that Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC nominates Dustin Freeman for Perseverance in Volunteerism.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Dustin Freeman is so excited on Wednesday and Thursday mornings because he knows he is coming to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank. He makes a point every week to wear one of the Food Bank t-shirts given to our volunteers at different times over the years. He is proud of the fact that he knows so many of the staff members and is eager to stop and greet each of us. Dustin has seen Second Harvest grow since he has volunteered with us for 16 years now, starting when he was just 12 years old. Although Dustin suffered a severe brain trauma at age 2, and his cognitive abilities are not equal to his current age, this does not stop his hard work ethic when he is in our facility to volunteer. Dustin understands completely that his volunteering is helping those who do not have enough food for their families, and he is proud to play a part in feeding our community.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  When a 12 year old starts volunteering with your organization along with their caregiver and 16 years later is still coming to volunteer with your organization; this fact alone is an outstanding accomplishment. However, it speaks volumes when the young man is cognitively impaired due to a brain trauma at age 2 and is still excited to be a part of your volunteer program and mission. This is Dustin Freeman, and I wish each of you could have the opportunity to spend one hour with him, and expose yourself to the true meaning of "serving to help others". Dustin has grown up giving his time with us, and this year every Wednesday and Thursday morning are just as they have always been. We have watched a young boy grown up, but this year we have seen Dustin gain true confidence, engaging with fellow volunteers, he was even awarded one of the Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteer Awards. His excitement when receiving his award was beyond moving; there were few dry eyes in the room. Dustin knows how his hard work this year, and of course in years past, has been appreciated by many individuals that will never know his name. Most importantly, Dustin knows he has played a significant role in making a difference in his community.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  When a volunteer comes Wednesday and Thursday mornings for 1-2 hours every week of the year that you are open, the total number of hours may not add up to the significant amount you would anticipate. Once you stop and think about his commitment to serve weekly for several hours, you realize the level of passion Dustin has for our mission. His positive attitude and passion display how one person can make a difference, how one can encourage fellow volunteers, and how one can change others perception. Dustin can show just about any volunteer the ins and outs of Salvage Sorting, and will proudly show how a pallet jack works to move boxes about in the room. Dustin's personality can bring the room to life, and it was no surprise to so many that he was a selected Volunteer Award winner this year at Second Harvest’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner. Perseverance is a wonderful gift to have; it shows courage, strength, patience, and most of all a steadfast attitude. Dustin is the definition of perseverance in volunteering as he continues to face difficulties successfully.
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Nominee Name:  Spenser Harless
Nominator Name:  Angela Henrichs
Reasons for nomination:  Spenser Harless volunteered at Hospice & Palliative CareCenter (HPCC) in several capacities over the past year. As a direct support volunteer at our Hospice Home, he visits patients and families to provide companionship, friendship and to make their stay more comfortable. Spenser is also active in the Cookie & Craft Club. As a member of this group, Spenser bakes cookies for our Hospice patients and families, and makes arts and crafts for patients, families and bereavement clients. As an older member of the Cookie & Craft Club, Spenser has become a mentor to the younger children, and someone I personally rely upon to assist in leading activities. This year, Spenser also helped to plan spring bulbs to beautify our campus and make our gardens a nice place for all to nurture their mind, body and spirit.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Spenser has volunteered at HPCC since he was a middle school student in the Cookie & Craft Club. He has been consistent in his attendance and dedication. Realizing his potential as a direct support volunteer, we invited Spenser to train to visit patients at our Hospice Home. Spenser gladly accepted the challenge and completed the required 12-hour training, plus mentorship. He has been a dedicated volunteer and has met the many challenges that come with volunteering with Hospice.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Becoming a direct support volunteer as a teenager is a rare occurrence in our organization. Because Spenser has excelled in this volunteer role, he was the recipient of the Impact Unlimited Award, an honor designed to recognize middle and high school students for making a positive impact in their community, particularly within Hospice. His volunteer efforts have a lasting impression on those who are dealing with end of life issues by being a kind, gentle presence willing to assist wherever he is needed.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  Spenser is an exceptional volunteer. While many young people (and adults too) shy away from Hospice, Spenser has embraced our mission of providing compassionate care for those with a life limiting illness and their families. He became a leader within our Cookie & Craft Club and has become an ideal teen volunteer at the Hospice Home. Spenser shows great compassion to our patients and families and respect to the Hospice staff and volunteers. He is dedicated, cheerful and dependable. Spenser is professional in his documentation and empathic in his interactions with patients and families. Spenser has been an exceptional volunteer since middle school and continues to provide wonderful care and support to Hospice patients, families, clients, staff and fellow volunteers.
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Nominee Name:  The Ardmore RAH Squad
Nominator Name:  Sue Reichel
Reasons for nomination:  Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Ardmore Neighborhood Association: The Ardmore RAH Squad (Run Against Hunger) is a church wide, neighborhood wide crew that know how to successfully put on a 5K and 10K race in a scenic neighborhood of Winston Salem. They work at the organization of this event all year long under the leadership of the RAH Squad: Jeanie Baird, Julie and David Mullen, and with the full support of the head minister of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Giorgio Hiatt, and the Ardmore Neighborhood Association. All three of these groups are adamant about their desire to impact the feeding of our community and every piece of promotional material, every picture on the website, every marketing event drives home the call to help feed the community.
The entire Ardmore neighborhood is engaged in the race. They are encouraged to help by volunteering, cheering on race day, donating food or funds, or allowing a yard sign in their yard to promote the race.
Ardmore RAH yard signs can be seen popping up across the city well in advance of the race. The Ardmore RAH website and social media is full of activities to invite participation in all sorts of ways. However, what it boils right down to, is they are passionate about feeding the community and spreading the word.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Ardmore Neighborhood Association: the RAH Squad is the energizer bunny in disguise. They take on the project with the goal of organizing a fun race that will spread the word of feeding community, and in the midst of it all they engage volunteers from all generations. Redeemer Presbyterian Church is a beacon in the middle of the beautiful neighborhood calling everyone to be involved. The church has banners up so the general public sees their commitment to their event, and their school takes pride in their involvement as well. Second Harvest Food Bank is blessed to be the recipient of such goodwill, and encouragement for all to pick up the desire to 'get involved' and make a difference for those who have too little. When all the organizing is complete, registration is done, and the race is about to commence there is always an excitement in the air because they know they are making great things happen. The faces of everyone involved from runners, to volunteers, to vendors at the post race party, now know Second Harvest Food Bank, and feeding community are now part of who they are.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Redeemer Presbyterian, Ardmore Neighborhood Association: the RAH Squad are dedicated individuals who year after year make the commitment to have the best year ever. Originally the Ardmore RAH was a 5K race called Ardmore 5K, and my guess is it has probably been around for over a decade. Then the momentum started building as more information came forth about the issues of hunger in our area, right here in our own backyard, and Redeemer Presbyterian, Ardmore Neighborhood: The RAH Squad, literally took off from the start line. The 5K added a 10K in 2013 and became the RAH, and more runners came. The momentum continued and in 2016 the Ardmore RAH had in the end reached the incredible achievement of having donated collectively over the years a million meals. Also 2016 brought a collection of 1476 pounds of food and a $20,500 donation, and hunger awareness spread throughout the city, always a plus when the anchor desk of WXII is helping push the word out, and actually is out running on race day.
So a Church, a Neighborhood Association, and a dedicated lead committee make a difference in feeding community, and raising awareness, it just doesn't get any better than that.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  The RAH Squad has the ability to take a wonderful neighborhood and transform it into a energy force that is full of excitement and compassion for those who don't have the basic necessities in life. The entire well oiled, well organized crew on their website can picture a young child and an adult with a temporary RAH tattoo on their cheeks, and the viewer knows this race is about making a difference. The RAH Squad can blanket an area with yard signs and social media with terrific appeals to be involved, and they make the difference. They engage all ages in their event, they make it fun for the youngsters, who might not quite understand yet, and they make one feel good about the impact they are making. They collect food, they collect donations, and they collect the spirit of volunteerism for a cause. The crew works hard behind the scene, and then on race day they are everywhere.
The best announcements at the post race party are those of how much the race has impacted the cause. How in 2016 600+ runners and walkers, plus countless volunteers, contributors, sponsors all stepped up and raised $20,500 to help Second Harvest Food Bank make a difference and feed community.
A collection of unique talents, a collection of ages, but a collection of individuals with a goal the on a beautiful fall day brought home a reality, and hope for so many.
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Nominee Name:  Kathy Kupreanik
Nominator Name:  Kara Ray
Reasons for nomination:  Part of the Catholic Charities mission statement includes being an inspiration for others to follow. Ms. Kathy is an amazing inspiration to our staff, other volunteers, and our clients. She unselfishly shares her gifts and talents to make Catholic Charities a better place. She began volunteering with us in 2013, and she has always looked for ways to go above and beyond to help those living in poverty and suffer from hunger. She spends at least 3 days per week serving at our agency and averages at least 8-9 hours over these days.

When something needs to be done, she notices and she immediately takes action to make it happen. She brings in needed supplies and is always willing to give some organizational love and care to needed areas in our office. She wants to make staff and other volunteers jobs easier. She is willing to take on tasks that not just everyone will volunteer for, such as scrubbing kitchen sinks, dusting and more. One thing is for sure, she does it with a lot of love!

Sunday is when Ms. Kathy begins her volunteer work week to start ensuring our food pantry is well stocked and organized for when clients arrive on Thursdays. This is a huge undertaking as we often serve over 80 families in our food pantry each week. From when she unloads donations from St. Leo the Great Catholic Church on Sundays, until Wednesday when she is helping pack 70 produce bags and making sure client breakfast items are set out, she serves with a quiet, giving and hardworking heart. She represents the essence of the Catholic Charities mission.

Ms. Kathy has a very strong faith that drives her to help her fellow neighbors. She has said “God has called everyone to serve, and Catholic Charities mission is to serve”. While she will say what a privilege it is to be a volunteer, we also know how very blessed we are for her and our other volunteers. We would not be able to serve the community the way we do without them. We at Catholic Charities are excited to nominate Ms. Kathy for the Governor’s Service Award. She is deserving of this honor. By nominating her, we hope she knows what a positive difference she is making and how much we appreciate her.
Nominee's outstanding commitment:  Ms. Kathy has made an outstanding commitment to Catholic Charities and to the reduction of poverty in our community. She is always very dependable and in the rare instance she is unable to volunteer, she takes initiative to find a substitute and ensures they know their job.

This past year she contributed over 300 volunteer hours to Catholic Charities. She works Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to ensure the food pantry is ready to go. In addition, she is willing to help with additional shifts if needed. This past holiday season Ms. Kathy and her husband, Rick also made numerous extra trips to deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and gifts for our clients.

Ms. Kathy also helps us welcome new volunteers. She is a terrific group leader and offers resources to other volunteers. For instance, we had new volunteers decorating one of our houses for the holidays. Ms. Kathy kindly searched and found old photographs for them, so their job would be less overwhelming and they could see what had been done in the past. She helps make our volunteer team vibrant and healthy.

Recently when we mentioned that she is invited to the Governor’s Service Award Breakfast in April, her immediate reply was, “But that is a day I am scheduled to volunteer!” We are truly very blessed to have the commitment of Ms. Kathy and our other volunteers who beautifully serve those in need in the Winston Salem community.
Nominee's outstanding accomplishments:  Ms. Kathy is instrumental in keeping our food pantry organized on a weekly basis, as well as she makes sure our 2 kitchen areas are clean and in order. She assists with the weekly flow of food into the pantry and she communicates effectively to staff any needs there are. She is an accomplished group leader and Ms. Kathy is often called on, to “think out of the box” and come up with strategies for storing and organizing large amounts of food in a small space. When we are receiving large community food drive donations, we often call on Ms. Kathy’s expertise on accomplishing the huge task of working with the community groups to get their donations unloaded and organized successfully.

This past year Ms. Kathy gave often of her time and talent. She was one of our top volunteers for logging in volunteer service hours. Since she began at Catholic Charities, she has given over 900 hours of her time to serve the community.

Each day Ms. Kathy volunteers at Catholic Charities, she makes outstanding things happen. We couldn’t be more proud of all she has done for us as a volunteer.
Nominee's special skills/qualities:  As mentioned previously, one of Ms. Kathy’s biggest strengths is her organizational skills. She also has a very strong work ethic and relates well to others in the work environment. She is a mentor to new volunteers and a wonderful group leader. She shares so many of her gifts and talents to help others.

Another set of skills Ms. Kathy has, is her artistic abilities. She makes beautiful baby quilts that can take 15-20 hours to complete. Each is made with such love and patience. Just recently Ms. Kathy brought in one of her unique and lovely quilts covered in hearts. It was very beautiful and it was delivered to a special family we have been working with, that was experiencing a difficult time. I am sure the quilt will be very treasured. Many of our Wee Care Shoppe clients have also received her quilts in the past and Ms. Kathy has also made and delivered her quilts to the Forsyth Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.

At Catholic Charities we believe everyone has special gifts and talents to share with others. We are so very blessed that Ms. Kathy has chosen our agency to use her many talents and offer her love to those we serve in the community.
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2017 Governor's Volunteer Service Awards

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