County celebrates volunteers

Janet Imrick

Randolph Hub

The Randolph County Commissioners recently presented plaques and pins to five Randolph County volunteers who had received 2023 Governor's Service Awards.

Roy Barr, Dawn Morton, Tom Holtham and Larry Reid received plaques and pins at the June 5 commissioners meeting. Julianna Soto was unable to attend in person but was also recognized.

Roy Barr

Barr has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity since 2004 and filled in as a site supervisor in 2022. According to Volunteer Coordinator Desiree Trogdon, he's led groups of students, doctors and church groups, accommodating all of them regardless of their experience. She said he declined to be paid for the new position and said his passion for building meant more. He became mentor to a high school student who wants to get a career in construction.

Dawn Morton

Morton was nominated for her service as treasurer to the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce. She took the position in January and volunteered to oversee their No Tie Affair fundraiser. Amy Rudisill, vice president of the Chamber, also praised her work as president of the Asheboro Rotary Club, which raised money to send a veteran to Washington, DC, on an Honor Flight.

Tom Holtham

Holtham is a mentor to students through Communities in Schools of Randolph. Executive Director Paula Owens talked about the enthusiasm his students have for meeting him and working with him, as well as the extra lengths he went to keep in contact with them during the COVID-19 pandemic when school buildings were closed.

Larry Reid

Reid was honored for his years of work with the Randolph Senior Adults Association, and for being the "voice" of Randolph County as emcee for the Ms. Senior Randolph County Pageant from 2007 to 2019. Marketing & Community Engagement Director Jill Jackson highlighted his work with Ms. Senior Randolph Queens to help them become ambassadors for active aging.

Julianna Soto

Soto became a volunteer for The Dream Center, after aging out of the afterschool program. She's spent the last two years assisting teachers in the 3rd grade classroom during the school year and summer hours, and became a mentor.