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Outstanding Volunteers Recognized with Forsyth County Governor’s Awards
(Winston-Salem, NC) – This morning, HandsOn Northwest North Carolina in partnership with the United Way of Forsyth County, and Salem College presented the 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards to sixteen recipients from across Forsyth County. HandsOn, whose mission is to mobilize people and organizations that inspire community change, presented the awards during an event that welcomed approximately 300 guests on Tuesday, May 7 at 8 am at Novant Health’s Forsyth Medical Center Conference Center. Winners were selected by a volunteer committee from a diverse pool of nominees. Award recipients are: Carla Johnson (Animals); Thomas Allred (Committee’s Choice); Allegacy Federal Credit Union (Corporate); Kristina Ebbink (Cultural); Paige Reilly (Director of Volunteers); Susan Peatross (Environmental); Jim Graham (Faith-Based); The Little Engines That Could: The Morgan, Griffith, and Mills Families (Group/Team); Valerie George (Health and Human Services); Joann Goodson (Historically-Underserved Populations); Tanya Garanzuay (Individual); Thao Sommerville (Lifetime Achievement); Judy McAllister (Senior); KeKe Robinson (Service to Seniors); Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Service to Youth); and Max Chen (Youth). The program featured the winners sharing their individual and inspirational stories of service. The emcee was Michelle Kennedy, WXII News 12.
These volunteers give their time to a variety of different organizations. Carla Johnson organizes vaccination clinics for Humane Solutions Spay-Neuter Program. Thomas Allred has spent the past 15 years helping the Community Care Center run smoothly. Allegacy Federal Credit Union was recognized for their effectiveness in engaging their employees as volunteers for causes and events across the community. Kristina Ebbink’s volunteer leadership has made sure that the “show must go on” at the Kernersville Little Theatre since the 1990s. Paige Reilly uses her professional expertise to keep the volunteer program at the heart of Senior Services’ Meals-on-Wheels running. Susan Peatross uses her artistic flair to help make events at Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center and across Winston-Salem beautiful. Jim Graham puts his faith into action by serving clients at Samaritan Ministries. The “Little Engines that Could” have served more that 15,000 meals at SECU Family House since 2011. Valerie George spearheads the “Wee Care” Cereal Drive for Crisis Control Ministry. The Wells Center’s clients have enjoyed the visits from Joann Goodson for almost 40 years. Tanya Garanzuay puts her Spanish translating skills to good use with a wide variety of organizations across the city. Thao Sommerville continues to show up in multiple ways to support her neighbors in Lewisville and Clemmons. Judy McAllister helps keep the SECU Family House organized. KeKe Robinson makes everything a little easier for staff and residents at Salemtowne Retirement Community. The annual Youth Symposium at the Ken Carlson Boys and Girls Club wouldn’t happen without the members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. – Alpha Mu Sigma Alumnae Chapter. Lastly, Max Chen has spent the majority of his school years turning other youth onto science as a volunteer with Kaleideum.
About the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards
The Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards have been awarded by the Governor’s Office and its Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (VolunteerNC) for nearly 40 years. The award honors citizens who have shown significant concern and compassion for their neighbors through volunteer service. In Forsyth County, the awards were coordinated for over a dozen years by the United Way. Since 2007, the United Way and HandsOn NWNC have worked together to co-host the awards breakfast. Salem College joined the planning team in 2013.
About HandsOn NWNC
HandsOn NWNC, based in Winston-Salem, NC, is a member of the Points of Light Global Affiliate Network and mobilizes people and organizations that inspire community change. They engage thousands of people a year in meaningful volunteer service across a network of more than 500 different nonprofits across Forsyth, Surry, Stokes, Davie, Davidson, Yadkin, and Iredell counties.
Photos available upon request.
Partners to Hold 16th Annual Volunteer “Read-In” Event for Local Students at Wake Forest University Saturday, January 25th –Participants and Volunteers Needed!
(Winston-Salem, NC) – On Saturday, January 25th from 10 am to Noon, pre-registered children, aged 4–10, will be matched with a volunteer Reading Buddy—most of them local college students from Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University. Together, they will spend the morning on WFU’s campus, learning about Dr. King’s ideals through engaging in activities at a variety of interactive stations that relate to his legacy of service, literacy, education, and self-empowerment.
At the Reading Station, each child will be given:
- One donated age-appropriate book
- One new civil-rights themed book to read with their Reading Buddy and then take home
Many of the stations are hosted by community partners, including Bookmarks, UNC School of the Arts, and Honda Jet.
The partners are actively seeking youth to participate and sign-up online. There is no cost to attend, and transportation assistance will be available to offset the cost of bringing children to/from the Read-In.
Volunteers interested in serving as Reading Buddies must:
- Be registered in advance
- Complete an online protection of minors training
- Clear a sex offender registry check
- Attend an online orientation before being able to serve
Volunteers can register online; spaces fill quickly!
Since 2010, HandsOn Northwest North Carolina has partnered with Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University in organizing and bringing the Read-In to life, with hosting duties rotating between the two campuses. For many youth participants, the event leads to higher educational aspirations—as it is often their first time on a college campus and interacting with college students.
For the first time this year, Honda Jet has joined as a sponsor, providing financial and volunteer support, as well as hosting a STEM-related activity station.
Participating in the MLK Day of Service as a volunteer can be a springboard for service throughout the year. More than 100 volunteers will be engaged in the planning and hosting of the Read-In.
“We’ve seen how the Read-In inspires and motivates volunteers and hope that many who serve will make an ongoing commitment to other educational opportunities in the future,”
— Amy Lytle, Executive Director, HandsOn NWNC
HandsOn NWNC mobilizes people and organizations that create community change in Forsyth, Surry, Stokes, Davie, Davidson, Yadkin, Iredell, and Guilford counties.
As a member of the Points of Light Global Affiliate Network, they engage thousands of people a year in meaningful volunteer service across a network of approximately 600 different nonprofits. The Martin Luther King Day of Service is an annual, national event promoted by AmeriCorps.