MARCH 30TH, 2026 – PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING GREENE COUNTY’S
2026 GOVERNOR’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
(Snow Hill, NC) – The North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has presented the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award to Samantha Gay, Virginia Thomas, Dorothy Harrison, Chester Harrison, and Greene Central FFA. The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honors people who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by making a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. The award was created in the Office of the Governor in 1979 to honor outstanding volunteers throughout the State. Recipients will be honored at the Greene County Commissioners Meeting on Monday, April 20th, 2026 at 5pm. Commissioner’s Meetings are held at the Greene County Communications Center, 312 SE Second Street, Snow Hill, NC.
Award recipients and a description of their volunteer service:
Samantha Gay: A STATE MEDALLION RECIPIENT, Samantha was nominated by Derek Burress, Teresa Burress, and Jessica Anderson in the following service areas: Individual, Youth Service, Environment, and Lifetime Achievement for her nonprofit, Fishers of Kids Anglers Academy, established in 2016 to provide free fishing education, outdoor experiences, and life-skills mentoring to at-risk and underserved youth across eastern North Carolina. What began as a personal passion for bass fishing has grown, through thousands of unpaid volunteer hours, into one of the region’s most effective youth-development programs. Samantha was selected to receive the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service, implemented in 2006 to recognize the top 20-25 volunteers in the state. She will receive her Medallion at the special ceremony in May, at the State Capitol.
Virginia Thomas: Virginia was nominated by Anna Moore & Michaela Manning, staff from the Greene County Senior Center, in the following service areas: Individual, Seniors, Cultural, & Health & Human Services for her volunteerism at the Greene County Senior Center which includes delivering meals on wheels, teaching Evidenced Based Health Programs at the Senior Center, Senior Games Volunteer, and the planning committee for Black History Month Programs.
Chester & Dorothy Harrison: This retired Navy Captain and wife was nominated by Anna Moore & Michaela Manning, staff from the Greene County Senior Center, in the following service areas: Group, Veteran/Military, Seniors, Health & Human Services, & Lifetime Achievement for their years of service as Meals on Wheels Volunteers, volunteering at their local church-Calvary Memorial Methodist, assisting with activities at the Senior Center, and encouraging local Veteran’s.
Greene Central FFA: This group was nominated by Paul Young, Jr., Bianca Dominguez, Patrick Greene, & Meredith Wilkes in the following service areas: Group, Animals, & Environment for their work at the Greene County Animal Shelter. This group of FFA members is being recognized for their outstanding volunteer service at the local animal shelter during the past year. The students dedicated their time to cleaning and sanitizing animal pens, washing animals, and providing much-needed companionship to animals awaiting adoption. Their efforts directly supported shelter staff and improved the health, comfort, and overall well-being of the animals. Member of the Greene Central FFA are Lilyanna Martin, Avril Castillo, Miriam Torres, Julian Mata-Rodrigues, Yareli Morales, Garciela De la Cruz, Brianna Vargas, Jesus Garcia, Mathew Aguilar, Anabelle Cano, and Alejandra Cano.
Congratulations to all these wonderful Greene County Volunteers! Thanks for all you do!
Submitted by Sharon T. Harrison-Greene County Award Coordinator
Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Program
