The Patrick County Food Bank held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on April 13 at Rotary Field. This is an annual banquet to honor the volunteers who give their time to help those less fortunate.
This year’s Male Volunteer of the Year was Donald Boothe. Donald has been with the food bank for 15 years. During this time, he has helped with loading, sorting, packing and on distribution days he has been our ticket taker at the Stuart location, and most recently the van driver for our Ararat distribution. Donald has been a willing participant in anything we ask him to do. And even when I am fussing at him to not overdo, he just smiles and says “ok.”
Donald has a long history of volunteering in Patrick County. From being Chief of the fire department, Dixie Youth coach and he helped to organize this league, Cubmaster for the Boy Scouts, and he is very active in his church as a deacon and trustee. Donald resides in Stuart.
We are so thankful to Donald and his willingness to volunteer at the Food Bank. Donald is pictured with his family, who were present when he was presented with the award.
Female Volunteer of the Year was Lois Joyce. Lois has been a volunteer for us for over 10 years and has only missed one day of packing. She retired from Dupont and likes to spend her spare time in the garden. She shares her garden wares with her neighbors. She is very active in her church.
We are very thankful to add Lois to our list of honorees. Lois missed the banquet due to church obligations, but she was presented with the award on packing day by Ellen Fulcher — a Food Bank board member, and honored by the other volunteers.
The Outstanding Couple of the Year award was presented to Alan and Betty Dean. They have both been volunteering for the Food Bank since they moved to the area in 2009 to serve as pastor at the Stuart Seventh Day Adventist Church. Alan and Betty always make time for anything we need. Alan is instrumental in the loading of boxes on distribution day, sorting, packing and breaking down the truck. Betty helps with packing. They were following God’s direction to come here in 2009, and for that we are very thankful!
They also missed the banquet due to a wedding and were presented with their award on packing day by Stuart Hampton — a member of the Food Bank board, where they were honored by other volunteers.
We are thankful and appreciative of all of our volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, there are opportunities in Stuart, Ararat and Meadows of Dan. Call the food bank at (276) 694-6300 for more information, and someone will call you back.
Mail monetary donations to the Patrick County Food Bank, P.O. Box 1304, Stuart, VA 24171. The food bank appreciates the support.
