In an early May event, 20 individuals and two organizations from across 21 North Carolina counties were presented the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service. The annual award ceremony, orchestrated by the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service, celebrated the distinguished commitment of its recipients to their communities. According to a press release from the Governor's Office, Governor Josh Stein expressed his pride in honoring "these public-spirited volunteers who have each made a profound impact on their communities."
This year's ceremony, held at the North Carolina State Capitol, was attended by prominent figures such as Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and various officials from VolunteerNC. Briles Johnson, the Executive Director of VolunteerNC, acknowledged the wide spectrum of services provided by these volunteers, ranging from combating food insecurity to assisting the elderly. "We were excited to honor these extraordinary volunteers from across North Carolina who work selflessly and tirelessly to make our state a better place," Johnson told attendees, as per the Governor's Office. The event not only celebrated current contributions but looked forward to inspire others to similarly engage in community service.
Each of the honorees represented diverse fields of volunteerism, reflecting the multifaceted nature of service. Notable awardees included Gerry Tygielski for his work with Habitat for Humanity in Ashe County and Sera Cuni of Chatham County, who founded Feed-Well Fridges, a project aimed at addressing food insecurity. Other recipients involved in various causes, such as Gary Grant of Halifax County for agricultural sustainability and Julie McClintock of Orange County for her conservation efforts in Bolin Creek, were also celebrated at the event.
The importance of community engagement was a recurring theme throughout the ceremony. With narratives of volunteerism that stretched across the state, the event shed light on the selfless acts that continue to improve the social fabric of North Carolina. Looking ahead, the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award nomination form is set to become available this fall—encouraging others in the community to also commit to making a change. For those interested in nominating volunteers for future recognition, details can be found at volunteernc.org.
