Local Volunteers Recognized for Achievements with Governor’s Service Awards
Charlotte family and Concord man also earn Medallion Awards for top 20-25 volunteers in NC
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 they support, include individuals, families and groups, and contribute their time and talents to issues ranging from food security to healthcare access. Two of those honored received the Medallion Award, indicating that they were among the top 20 to 25 nominees from across North Carolina.
United Way of Greater Charlotte 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:
• Habitat Cabarrus Weekday Warriors, nominated by Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County
• Johnny Carroll, nominated by Community Free Clinic (Medallion Award recipient)
Mecklenburg:
• Kristen Ziemer, nominated by Families Forward Charlotte
• Mac McCarley, nominated by Crittenton
• Jacklyn Simpson, nominated by American Red Cross
• Judith Wood, nominated by Care Ring
• Brenda Suits, nominated by Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region
• Marwen McDowell, nominated by Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region
• The Morrow/Harper Family, nominated by Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region (Medallion Award recipient)
• Beverly Knox Davis, nominated by A Brighter Day Ministries
Union:
• Monroe Civitan Club, nominated by Council on Aging in Union County
• Barbara Whitley, nominated by American Red Cross
The Medallion Award winners – Johnny Carroll and the Morrow/Harper Family – were selected by a statewide panel, and only the top 20-25 nominees from across the state receive this award, which was implemented in 2006. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Raleigh on May 8.
Carroll, who volunteers for Community Free Clinic in Concord, helped develop and lead the organization’s efforts to address food insecurity among its clients. This includes coming up with healthy recipes, purchasing ingredients and organizing a drive-through pantry. Alan and Lynn Morrow, along with their daughter, Brooke Harper and her husband, Matt, are long-time volunteers at Habitat for Humanity. Alan began volunteering in 1983 and has served at build sites, at the donation dock at the ReStore and at Julia’s Books & Café. Lynn and Brooke started volunteering in 2013, and collectively committed more than 1,000 hours to Habitat in 2022. Matt has accompanied the family on international volunteering trips and served as a board member for the organization.