WS Chronicle

HandsOn Northwest North Carolina, in partnership with the United Way of Forsyth County, Salem College, and The Winston-Salem Journal, recently presented the 2019 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards to 15 recipients from across Forsyth County.  The program featured the winners sharing their individual and inspirational stories of service. The emcee was Kenneth Pettigrew of the Winston-Salem Urban League.

HandsOn, whose mission is to mobilize people and organizations that inspire community change, presented the awards at a breakfast attended by more than 200 people on Wednesday, April 17, at Wake Forest University’s Bridger Field House. Winners were selected by a volunteer committee from among a diverse pool of nearly 40 nominees. Award recipients are: 

*The Shepherd’s Center Singers (Group/Team)

*Joseph Turner (Senior)

The Legendary Labelers-Frank Young & Michael Collison (Perseverance in Volunteerism)

*Darlene Talbot (Faith-Based)

*HanesBrands (Corporate/Business)

*Moriah Gendy (National Service)

*Camilla Washington (Veterans and Military Families)

*Richard Gray (Serving Youth)

*Maya Agger (Disaster)

*Elite Canine’s Comfort Dogs (Animals)

*Deanna Perez (Cultural)

*Liz Price (Environment)

*Charles Poteat (Health and Human Services)

*Myrtie Davis (Lifetime Achievement)

*Robin Pardella (Director of Volunteers)

The People’s Choice Award winner, chosen by online voting from among all of the nominees, was Myrtie Davis, marking the first time in the history of the People’s Choice Award that they chose a category winner. 

These volunteers give their time to a variety of different organizations:

The Shepherd Center Singers share their talents with numerous nursing homes in the area, and support each other as participants at The Shepherd Center of Greater Winston-Salem.  Mr. Turner, aged 85, supports literacy efforts at Kimberly Park Elementary School. The Legendary Labelers overcome the logistics of Michael’s wheelchair to label eggs weekly at Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC.  Darlene Talbot has become known as the “Underwear Queen” at Helping Hands Ministry. HanesBrands was recognized for their support of Samaritan Ministry, while Moriah Gandry was recognized for her dedication to service above and beyond her role as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader at Wake Forest University. Camilla Washington has been influential in building and rehabbing homes for veterans and their families through the work of Whole Man Ministries. Richard Gray serves as a mentor and role model for numerous young men at Walkertown Middle and High School, while Ms. Agger, a former recipient, “pays it forward” as a disaster volunteer with the American Red Cross. The Elite Canine’s Comfort Dogs spread joy throughout the community, especially at events hosted by The Piedmont Down Syndrome Association. The art teacher at Vienna Elementary School counts on the daily support of Deanna Perez, while Ms. Price works to ensure that every client at Catholic Charities benefits from their sustainable-raised garden produce. Mr. Poteat makes sure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, crosses the threshold of Novant Health’s Medical Park Hospital with a smile on their face. Myrtie Davis has brought both her children, and now her grandchildren, along for the ride during her weekly Meals-on-Wheels deliveries for Senior Services. Robin Pardella was recognized for her decades of excellence in supporting and mobilizing volunteers at The Salvation Army.