WS Chronicle

The Winston-Salem Chapter of the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association boasts another winner! LaRue P. Cunningham was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the National Alumni Association at the National Council meeting on Aug. 1 in Durham. Last year, another local alumnus from Granville County was a national awards recipient. 

Alumnae LaRue P. Cunningham is a 1970 graduate of NCCU with a BA in history, minoring in English. She hails from rural Granville County where she learned early on that “It is better to give than to receive.” “Truth and Service” is simply an extension of this philosophy. Cunningham, a retired educator from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System, volunteers at three local elementary schools—Ashley Academy for Cultural and Global Studies, North Hills and Kimberley Park Elementary Schools and through her church in Granville County. 

Additionally, she is a Golden Life Member of Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she continues her volunteer efforts. In the schools, Cunningham tutors, proctors tests, donates goods and services, and finances when needed under her ‘Eagle’ hat. As a tutor, she provides her students with additional educational enrichment materials and weekly treats. 

In the local Eagle chapter, Cunningham has held numerous offices. She helped carry out the project of serving a meal to the medical residents at SECU House and provided aprons for Eagles serving the meal. Cunningham has long been involved in the chapter’s annual holiday basket project to collect food and to deliver baskets to sites where needed. 

At Blue Wing Baptist Church, she is a member of the choir, Sunday school and Senior Missionaries. She provides historical briefs on African Americans for the church bulletins and serves as the church/community historian … and much more. She serves on various Phi Omega committees and uses her skills as a seamstress to make little dresses, pillowcase shirts and shorts for children in developing countries. She spearheads food services for the Sorority’s Annual MLK Day of Service at Union Baptist Church. 

Most recently, Cunningham has been involved in the construction of face masks which she donates and sells to aid in the fight against COVID-19. She reached the 2,000 mark during the first week in August. In addition to these activities, Cunningham is very involved in the care of her 96-year-old parents who still reside in the family home in Granville County. Much of Cunningham’s volunteerism is in partnership with her ‘sidekick’ ‘half-Eagle’ daughter, LaDessa. 

If a job needs to be done, Cunningham steps up and does her best to assist in causes which uplift humanity.