Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 26, 1990 TAG: 9004250365
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Statewide winners of the award were announced Sunday in Richmond. More than 600 people across Virginia were nominated for the awards, said Lelia Mayton, co-chairman of the Voluntary Action Center's board of directors.
In Montgomery County, 10 individuals and one group were nominated. While it didn't pick up a state award, the Voluntary Action Center believes it is important to honor people for local community contributions.
"Just the fact that they were nominated is an honor," said Elaine Higgs, the center's executive director. "We have a lot of great volunteers and we're always looking for more."
Mayton said the volunteer center acts as a clearinghouse to match prospective volunteers with agencies that could use their services. They also work to involve student groups in volunteering.
The county's volunteers gave Christmas parties for more than 600 children last year and there are "a lot of numbers like that," when it comes to the kind of service volunteers provide, she said.
About 80 volunteers helped with the Brush Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair, the center's major fund-raiser.
Higgs said the center also has 25 to 30 volunteers reserved to provide transportation to medical, dental and other appointments.
The county's nominees will receive certificates and pins at to night's reception in appreciation for their volunteer service. The Rev. Al Payne, a former volunteer center board member, will speak on the importance of volunteering. Nominees, their nominators and other volunteers have been invited to the reception, Mayton said. The nominees are:
William Aiken, for his efforts with the Volunteer Home Repair Program of Virginia Mountain Housing Inc. In less than a year, he gave more than 360 hours of free labor to help improve substandard housing used by the elderly or low-income. He has built ramps and handrails, repaired plumbing and replaced rotting floors.
Lisa Bowman of Blacksburg, for her work with Head Start and parent policy council of New River Community Action. Bowman was named Virginia's Head Start Parent of the Year for 1988-89 and received the same award locally for two consecutive years. She dedicated 2,000 volunteer hours to the Head Start program through 1989.
Erma W. Cox of Riner, for her work as a classroom aide at Auburn High School. She has had a hand in two successful grant proposals for the schools' biology classes and has set up a data-base file for the computer. She also does photocopying and sets up equipment for the biology labs.
Agnes Davis, who volunteers at Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Blacksburg. Davis is cited in a nomination form for "tireless hours of giving so that others may have a better day."
David Goy, a volunteer at Newman Community who coordinates Appalachian Plunge Program and Catholic worker weekends to examine poverty and homelessness. Goy also volunteers on the RAFT counseling hot line as crew chief and trainer and works in an outreach program to Haiti.
Clinton Graves, for his work with local youth and low income families. His nominator said Graves and his family "provided the funds and the impetus to establish a youth center in the town" and that Graves also worked with the Kiwanis Club and the Montgomery County Christmas Club.
Julian D."Danny" Hardy Jr., chairman of the Montgomery County Improvement Council for three years, for his work in beautification, litter control and recycling. As financial chairman for two years, Hardy raised $4,000 for awards to Broomin' and Bloomin' volunteers.
Kappa Sigma Nu Prime of Virginia Tech, for its various community service projects. Those include an annual Christmas party for underprivileged children, working at local food banks, sponsoring a competitor in Special Olympics and fund-raising for the Knights of Virginia Against Retardation.
Mary Ellen Moore of Blacksburg, who organizes a social club sponsored by the Mental Health Association for former mental patients. She also is a regular visitor to a local nursing home, sponsors a Rotary Club scholar and helps a woman with multiple sclerosis with shopping and household chores.
Janice Sherman of Blacksburg, whose volunteer work has included acting as co-chairman of the Montgomery County Christmas Store, secretary of the Voluntary Action Center board of directors and working with the volunteer center's Brush Mountain Arts and Craft Fair.
Billy Swain, a member of the Montgomery County Improvement Council for six years. He has served as co-chairman of the Broomin' and Bloomin' countywide clean-up for two years and encouraged Virginia Tech student groups to volunteer.
by CNB