A total of six Scotland County groups and residents will be honored for their work with volunteerism during Tuesday’s meeting of the Scotland County Board of Commissioners.
As part of the meeting, those who have toiled away in the shadows will have light shed on their good deeds as they are presented the 2013 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
Initiated in 1979 the award was created to “honor the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.”
Any person, group, or business from the public, non-profit and private sector may be nominated for an award.
The awards are coordinated in Scotland County by Dr. Howard H. Whitehurst.
Those being recognized by the Office of the Governor and the county for 2013 are:
Mamie Everett: Everett’s volunteer activities include lab work and drawing blood for all patients at a local free clinic. Everett is responsible for verifying provider orders, greeting patients and insuring that paperwork is completed. Everett has also volunteered her time training others in phlebotomy.
Lonnie Humphreys: Humpreys has been a do-it-all volunteer at Church Community Services, helping with yard work as well as with the transportation of food from Southern Pines to Laurinburg. Humphreys has also volunteered transporting clients to out-of-town doctor’s appointments. According to those who nominated him, he “steps up when needed.”
The Disaster Leadership Team: This group was formed in 2009 to assist the local Red Cross Chapter by serving the community in the event of a disaster. Designed to help determine the extent of a disaster and plan for gathering the necessary resources to respond to it, the group was intended to think of various “what if?” scenarios. Their primary task is to assist with providing the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter to locals if disaster were to strike.
Eaton Golf Pride: According to the nomination, this company has provided “countless volunteer man hours and financial support” through an annual golf tournament that raises about $160,000 for charity hospice care. Attracting between 180 to 200 golfers annually, the tournament is organized by Eaton volunteers who are also responsible for soliciting donations. Eaton is also an active participant in other community projects, including Relay for Life.
The Hospice Bereavement Team Volunteers: These highly trained volunteers have the challenging task of calling on families by phone, visitation and mailing following the death of a loved one. Their mission is to provide emotional support to those in grief as well as to check on the well-being of family members of the deceased. Every month each volunteer takes on a new group of bereaved family members to call on and visit over a period of as long as 13 months.
Leslie Womack: Womack is a paid director of volunteers with Church Community Services. According to her nomination, she frequently “exceeds expectations in recruiting, training and managing volunteers.” She also volunteers additional hours beyond her regular work day and takes time to listen to individuals’ needs. “She goes beyond her responsibilities and to see that no one is left behind.”
This year marks the 35th consecutive year that the awards have been given. According to Whitehurst, the honor recognizes those who have shown “concern and compassion for their neighbors by making a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.”
Statewide the award process is managed by the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service on behalf of the Governor. The Governor’s signature will appear on the certificates presented to award winners.
Directed by Whitehurst, the local committee also includes county coordinators Kim Rosinski and Annie Cureton. The committee is joined by the Laurinburg-Scotland County Chamber of Commerce in managing the awards.













