From left: VAC Assistant Director Karen Poole, Volunteer of the Year John Podgorny, Board Chairperson Jeff Mathis, VAC Director Stacy Long, and Volunteer of the year Mary Podgorny.
The VAC recently held its annual volunteers banquet at the Northwest Georgia Technical College where the organization recognized some 649 volunteers for service to the center in 2012.
The high roller of the evening in volunteer hours was Eric Alford who racked up more than 750 hours of service to the VAC in 2012.
With a total number of 7,434 volunteer hours in 2012, the VAC honored its volunteers from individual volunteers, retired couples, and entire families of volunteers.
VAC board member Joni Harbin opened the banquet with a word of thanks for all volunteers and began the roll call of the more than 110 volunteers who contributed from one to 15 hours of service to the VAC.
“The service that this organization does is impressive, but the accomplishment is made possible because of 649 volunteers who provide 1298 helping hands,” said Harbin. “Those helping hands, your helping hands, are what set Gordon County apart. We are fortunate to live in a community that places a high priority on giving back,” she added.
The awards continued by groups of volunteers broken down by number of hours worked at the center.
Approximately 31 volunteers served 25-49 hours, 32 volunteers served between 50 – 99 hours, 16 volunteers served more than 100 hours, two with more than 200 hours and Volunteers of the Year John and Mary Podgorny with more than 300 hours of service to the VAC in 2012.
Community recognitions awarded Pam Stephens the United Way Volunteer of the Year, Kay Sitton as the Boys and Girls Club Volunteer of the Year, Vicki Neal as the Gordon County Schools Volunteer of the Year, Donna Myers as the New Echota Historic Site, RL Callaway as the Tallatoona CAP Volunteer of the Year, and Beartiz Alvarez as the Domestic Violence Volunteer of the Year.
Community Partners of the Year honored at the banquet were the Calhoun City and Gordon County School community based instruction.
Community Kitchen All stars honored at the banquet were the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, First Presbyterian Church, Georgia Cumberland Conference, Marantha North Georgia, and Trinity Baptist Church for providing man hours, food and other donations. These partners were responsible for the VAC’s ability to serve three hot meals a week, up from the one meal traditionally served.
Volunteers were placed into a drawing for prizes such as a getaway for four to Tennessee or a round of golf at Barnsley Gardens and Resort, among others.
Though these volunteers give their time in service to helping others, the need is always present. To learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer with the VAC, contact 706-629-1238 for more intormation.
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