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May 24, 2022

Local Volunteers Recognized for Achievements with Governor’s Service Awards

Two individuals also earn Medallion Awards for top 20-25 volunteers in NC

 

More than a dozen individuals and groups in the Charlotte area were recently honored for their outstanding commitment to the community through the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards. The local honorees, who are nominated by the nonprofit agencies that they support, range from teens to seniors, and contribute their talents to issues ranging from food security to veterans’ services. United Way of Central Carolinas organizes the annual nominations for Anson, Cabarrus, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Union Counties, and the awardees are selected by the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

 

The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honors people who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by making a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. The award was created in the Office of the Governor in 1979. The local recipients for 2022 are:

 

Cabarrus:

  • Amanda Cowles, nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas
  • Sharon Jordan, nominated by Brave Step

 

Mecklenburg:

  • CROSS Missions of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, nominated by Crisis Assistance Ministry
  • Susan Harper, nominated by ANSWER Scholarship
  • Steve Hindman, nominated by The Relatives
  • Suzanne Lail, nominated by Families Forward Charlotte
  • Love In Action Project, nominated by community members
  • Darlene O’Toole, nominated by La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool
  • Fletcher Primis, nominated by Teen Health Connection
  • Judith Ross, nominated by American Red Cross

 

Union:

  • Barbara Apelian, nominated by Cooperative Extension Union County
  • Bill Norwood, nominated by HealthQuest of Union County

 

In addition to those listed above, two local nominees – Alexandria Anaya Brown (Mecklenburg) and Dr. Lucy Preyer (Iredell) were awarded with the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service. Selected by a statewide panel, only the top 20-25 individuals receive this award, which was implemented in 2006.

 

Brown, currently a high school senior, uses her time and talents to address food insecurity in the Grier Heights neighborhood, working with the Grier Heights Community Improvement Organization to create two community pantries and plant and maintain three community gardens. Preyer, a retired psychiatrist, has provided free mental health services to uninsured clients of HealthReach Community Clinic in Mooresville throughout the pandemic, overseeing a caseload that has more than tripled during COVID and even meeting clients in the clinic parking lot to maintain social distance.

Source: UWCC News
Date: May 23, 2022