Commissioners recognize local volunteers, present state awards
Published 12:10 am Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Sabra Mills hugs Commissioner Jim Greene after receiving her award while commissioners Craig Pierce, left, and Mike Caskey look on.
Members of the Circle of Friends gather together to receive their Governor’s Volunteer Service Award from the Rowan County commissioners.
Jim Duncan shakes Commissioner Jim Greene's hand while commissioners Craig Pierce, left, and Mike Caskey look on.
Lisa Ferrell Monroe embraces Commissioner Craig Pierce while Commissioner Jim Greene reads a recognition of her volunteer service.
Ashley Honbarrier hugs commissioner Craig Pierce while commissioners Mike Caskey, right, and Jim Greene look on.
Sheile Prevatte receives her award from Commissioner Craig Pierce while commissioners Mike Caskey, right, and Jim Greene look on.
Micah Ennis receives her award from Commissioner Craig Pierce while commissioners Mike Caskey, right, and Jim Greene applaud.
SALISBURY — The meeting room for the Rowan County Board of Commissioners was packed on Monday to watch the commissioners present volunteers from throughout the county with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards.
Seven volunteers and one volunteer organization received the award, which is nominated by local community members and then awarded by a state-level commission. Awardees were Lisa Ferrell Monroe, Sheila Prevatte, Sabra Mills, Jim Duncan, Ashley Honbarrier, Micah Ennis and the Circle of Friends group from First Baptist Church. David Post, who was unable to be at the meeting, was recognized for receiving the Governor’s Medallion Award, which is given to the top 20 to 25 volunteers in the state every award cycle.
Monroe is the mother of Justin Monroe, a firefighter who died in the 2008 Salisbury Millworks fire. After her son’s death, Monroe has worked closely with first responders, helping out with a scholarship to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as well as simply reaching out and being available whenever she is needed.
“Every day, Lisa is constantly looking for ways to help men and women in the fire service. Cooking meals, being an ear to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. She reaches out when she learns of a firefighter or their family hurting or have a death in the family. She has personally been such a friend to me as someone who was there when Justin passed away. Lisa is a strong Christian woman who just wants to give. Lisa is retired and simply wants to be around the firemen and fire department that her son loved so much,” said Rowan County Fire Chief Deb Horne in her nomination letter.
Prevatte, Mills and the Circle of Friends were all nominated for their work with Rowan Helping Ministries by Executive Director Kyna Grubb. Prevatte was recognized for work on the organization’s board of directors as well as serving on the Faith Relations Committee and volunteering countless hours with the organization’s operations.
“Sheila has emerged as an unwavering force within the Rowan Helping Ministries board, leaving her mark for the past two years through dedicated service. She is an embodiment of community spirit and a loving testament to the transformative power of volunteerism,” said Commissioner Jim Greene during the meeting.
Mills was recognized for her volunteer work with the organization, something that she has done for the past 17 years. Mills also serves on the board of directors and has helped Rowan Helping Ministries by serving as a life coach and dedicated service program committee chair.
“This past year, during her knee surgery, Sabra’s first thought was to contact the organization to reassure her clients and our staff that she would be back soon. Her selflessness and determination to continue serving, even in the midst of personal adversity, highlights the depth of her commitment to our mission,” wrote Grubb in the nomination.
Circle of Friends is a group associated with First Baptist Church in Salisbury that consists of special needs adults and others committed to the group’s mission. The group, which includes over 50 members, has helped Rowan Helping Ministries by participating in multiple programs, including assembling Food for Thought bags for schools and USDA bags for families in challenging situations.
Ennis and Duncan were both nominated by Rowan County United Way Executive Director Jenny Lee. Ennis is the director of the Rowan County Department of Social Services and has spent over 30 years of her life serving the county community. She also serves as a member of the local Community Child Protection Team, a board member of Creating a Family and as a member of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
“She has worked in various capacities in DSS, and her unwavering commitment to serving others has earned her the reputation of being a true servant leader. Micah is known for her exceptional leadership qualities, professional soundness, and deep understanding of what it means to care for others. She is a living example of ‘we are called to serve first, then lead’ and her selfless service has made a significant impact on the lives of many,” wrote Lee in the nomination.
Duncan serves as the founder of Project Light Rowan, an organization which aims to raise awareness about and eliminate human trafficking in the region. He also helped create one of the first JROTC programs in the county and helped create the Service Above Self Youth Awards with the Rowan Rotary Club and United Way.
“Dr. Jim Duncan’s life is an inspiration to all who know him. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the US Army, Jim has dedicated his life to serving his country and community. He has gone above and beyond to address the needs of those around him and has made a significant difference in Rowan County,” wrote Lee.
Honbarrier was nominated by Catawba College’s Mercedes Quesada-Embid for her work as the founder and director of non-profit Happy Roots, which works with various populations in the community and emphasizes the outdoors, landscaping and farming culture.
“Whether she is tackling the food deserts of the area, planning a community-building event, teaching students where their food comes from, taking the elderly from Trinity Oaks to one of her local gardens, organizing litter sweeps to keep the local lands and waters clean, bridging racial divides by allowing Happy Roots to serve all members of Rowan County both equitably and equally, or inspiring other local leaders to cooperate more extensively with each other through event collaborations, she is truly demonstrating the skills and strengths of a social entrepreneur,” wrote Quesada-Embid in the nomination.
Post was also nominated for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards by Lee and was chosen as one of up to 25 of the top volunteers throughout the state. The medallion winners are chosen by a statewide panel and are recognized at an annual recognition ceremony in Raleigh. Post was nominated for his work as a member of the Salisbury City Council as well as his volunteering with multiple organizations in the county, including serving as a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels and as a board member for Lee Street Theatre. Post also helps immigrants and refugees transition into new lives in the U.S. as a member of the Board of Welcome with the Lutheran Services Carolinas’ New Americans Program. Post also utilizes his experience as an attorney and certified public accountant to help with the free tax assistance program at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center.
During the presentation, all of the recipients received their state awards from the commissioners, who also took the time to thank those who were honored for their work in serving the community.
