SeniorNet

Greensboro SeniorNet Learning Center, Posted 5/4/09

Volunteer Center Recognition Celebration 04-24-2009 Greensboro – More than 160 volunteers, representatives from local nonprofits and corporations, and other active citizens in our community attended the Volunteer Center Recognition Celebration. The purpose of the event was to celebrate volunteerism and honor outstanding volunteers in our community. The following individuals received awards for their exceptional volunteer service: Katie and Kenny Kirkpatrick, Volunteers of the Year; Greensboro Urban Ministries, Faith Community Volunteer Group; Team Bank of America Volunteer Network, Corporate Volunteer Program; Kristen Yntema, Emerging Volunteer Leader; Sarah Pickett, Youth Volunteer; SeniorNet Learning Center-Shepherd’s Center, Outstanding Volunteer Program; and Sally Cone, Lifetime of Service Award. In addition to these award winners, recent North Carolina Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service recipients Nicole Beatty, Richard Evans, Sherrill Haney, Avon Hines, Murphey Hines, and Shannon Thornton; The President’s Volunteer Service Award recipient Donna Turner; and 2008 Volunteers of the Week were recognized at the event. The News & Record and WFMY News 2 received commemorative awards for their 15 years of support of the Volunteer of the Week program, which recognizes a different volunteer each week for outstanding community service. Janet Ward Black, of Ward Black Law gave a Key Note Address about the power of volunteers to improve their community and the lives of others. Janet Ward recently received the Making a Difference in N.C. Award from the North Carolina Chapter of the Women Presidents’ Organization. About The Volunteer Center Recognition Celebration The Volunteer Center Recognition Celebration recognized outstanding volunteer service in our community so that others may hear their stories and also be inspired to volunteer. Barack Obama’s call to service and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act are evidence of our nation’s focus on the importance of volunteerism. "Your own story and the American story are not separate -- they are shared. And they will both be enriched if we stand up together, and answer a new call to service to meet the challenges of our new century,” says President Barack Obama. The event was planned to coincide with National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, which honors individuals, groups, and organizations that have dedicated themselves to serving their community. Guests enjoyed a reception, silent auction, a gourmet dinner from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and music performed by pianist John Troutman. About The Volunteer Center of Greensboro For more than 30 years, The Volunteer Center of Greensboro has strengthened our community by creating meaningful volunteer connections. We connect people, promote volunteerism, support nonprofits, and build partnerships. The Volunteer Center is the clearinghouse in Greensboro for over 200 local nonprofit organizations, businesses, public schools, and colleges who need volunteers. The Volunteer Center also sponsors impactful programs such as The Human Race, Harvest for Teachers, Days of Caring, Volunteer of the Week, and Service Learning Impacting Citizenship Camp. In the past 8 years these efforts have raised more than 3 million dollars and connected over 27,000 volunteers to volunteer opportunities in our community. For more information about The Volunteer Center please go to www.volunteergso.org.