Building a community
Published 5:51 pm Thursday, November 14, 2019
Executive Director Jayne Johnson was recognized for 15 years of service with the Piedmont Habitat for Humanity. (Photo by Crystal Vandegrift)
Donna Jones, left presented Mary Etta Ross the Golden Hammer Buckingham County Partnership award. (Photo by Crystal Vandegrift)
Cheryl Steele, left awarded Mary Jackson with a Golden Hammer volunteer award. (Photo by Crystal Vandegrift)
Piedmont Habitat for Humanity held its annual Golden Hammer Awards on Saturday, Nov. 9. Pictured are, from left, front row, L.D. Phaup, Sheri Almond, Paula Totten, Rob Gray, Jayne Johnson, Louis Gould, Josiah Hayes, Anna Stinson, Rhonda Arnold, Mary Jackson, Raymond Booker, Mary Etta Ross, Anne Field, Jen Fraley; back row, Andree Oldershaw, Dale Totten, Zaareah Robinson, Tylic Vaughan Bill Powers and Jay Taylor. (Photo by Crystal Vandegrift)
The Piedmont Habitat for Humanity held its annual Golden Hammer Awards sponsored by Walgreens at the The Robert Russa Moton Museum on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Piedmont Habitat for Humanity Community Outreach Director Sam Rabon welcomed a large crowd to the awards ceremony.
During the event, Rabon held a Partner Family Reflection Panel that included current habitat home owner Devonda Robinson, along with Becky Dorsey, who is in the process of receiving a habitat home.
Robinson said a co-worker encouraged her to apply for a Habitat Home. Describing the process of partnering with Habitat and becoming a homeowner, Robinson said, “It was an honor and a blessing” that she was chosen and that having a safe place to call home was an answer to her prayers.
Dorsey said that she was ecstatic when she learned that she would become a homeowner. “At first I didn’t believe it,” she said. “But when I received the letter in the mail I was walking on cloud nine.”
Among the 2019 Golden Hammer recipients were one organization and 10 individuals: Fresh Boys Club, Zaareah Robinson, Dionna Welton-Boxley, L.D. Phaup, Renata Chambers, Anna Stinson, Andree Oldershaw, Raymond Booker, Dale and Paula Totten and Mary Jackson.
Receiving the Golden Hammer Business award was Walmart of Farmville.
The Golden Hammer Church honor went to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church and The Centra Foundation received the Golden Hammer Foundation accolade.
The Golden Hammer Civic Organization was awarded to the Rotary Club of Farmville.
Anne Field received the Golden Hammer Individual Donor award.
Buckingham, Charlotte and Cumberland County School Systems were the recipients of the Golden Hammer School recognition award.
The Golden Hammer Buckingham County Partnership accolade went to Mary Etta Ross. The Charlotte County Lions Club received the Golden Hammer Charlotte County Partnership honor, and Sheri Almond was named the Golden Hammer Cumberland County Partnership award winner.
Nelson County Habitat Board of Directors and the Nelson County Public School System received the Golden Hammer Award for Nelson County.
Receiving surprise recognition during the event was Jen Fraley, board of directors’ president; Rita Rountree, staff bookkeeper celebrating 10 years; and Jayne Johnson, executive director who is celebrating 15 years with the Piedmont Habitat for Humanity.
