Community Corner
Cumming Celebrates Its Volunteers
Forsyth County volunteers were honored recently at the 2012 Celebration of Hands.
Community volunteers were honored recently at the 2012 Celebration of Hands, sponsored by the Forsyth County Community Connection (FCCC), a non-profit organization that matches volunteers to charity groups in the county.
"People volunteer for many different reasons," said John Clark, president FCCC's board of directors, in a press release. "Sometimes maybe because they feel guilty, or because it makes them feel good.
Clark said that with the help of FCCC more than 7,000 people volunteered last year with 50 of the organization's partner agencies.
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"All the agencies we work with could not do their jobs without volunteers," Clark said.
The honorees included 13 Community Partner volunteers, selected from nominations from FCCC's partner agencies; and five People in Action volunteers, a new category this year recognizing volunteers not affiliated with a specific partner agency. Also new for this year, gentle giant Marley, a Great Pyrenees dog was recognized for visiting nursing homes and other facilities.
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Three special awards were presented.
Megan Geren received the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award. She volunteers for Next Generation Focus, a group that helps disadvantaged children with academic opportunities.
Brett Jordan, a 2012 graduate of , was honored as Youth Volunteer of the Year. He has volunteered for three years with Mentor Me, an organization that matches adults and high school students with younger children who need mentors in their lives.
Suellen Daniels was the People in Action Volunteer of the Year. She founded Meals by Grace, which provides meals to needy families.
Virgilio Perez-Pascoe and Kristin Morrissey were recognized as outgoing members of the Community Connection board of directors.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Forsyth received the Community Partner of the year award.
"On behalf of the Community Connection and our partner agencies, we are grateful for all the volunteers who make our community a better place to live," said Nicole Morgan, executive director of Forsyth County Community Connection. "And a special thank you to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Forsyth as our Community Partner of the Year."
Celebrated Community Volunteers:
- Larry Sturdavent, Abba House
- Kathy Kunz, Garden of Empowerment
- Terri Crowhurst, Forsyth County Library System
- Linda Allen, Bald Ridge Lodge
- Nicole McCloskey, Head Start
- Megan Geren, Next Generation Focus
- Vickie Bolick, Supporting Adoptive and Foster Families Together
- Jean Shilling, Cedar Hill Enrichment Center
- Kristin McAfee, Jesse's House
- Laura Wolf, Humane Society of Forsyth County
- Robin Nelson, Girl Scouts
- Dennis Lee, Court Appointed Special Advocates
- Brett Jordan, Mentor Me North Georgia
People in Action Volunteers:
- Lisa Hawk
- Ron Kraynick
- Suellen Daniels
- States Wing
- Jayne Iglesias
Special Volunteer:
- Marley, Great Pyrenees dog, owners Mark and Merle Myers
More than 150 people attended the event, held at Windermere Gold Club.
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