Ralph Dews was honored by the Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA) during Opening Ceremonies this month as the organization named its basketball gymnasium complex for him.

The honor was bestowed on Dews because of his 28-plus years of volunteer work with PEFYA. He is also the current president of PEFYA.

Those who know Dews can attest to his worthiness of such recognition.

A lot of people sometimes forget the amount of work that PEFYA volunteers do. There is no magic fairy who runs around raking the fields, working concession stands and organizing each seasonal sport.

PEFYA volunteers are the ones who make those things happen, among many other things. The most incredible thing about those volunteers is that they do this all out of the goodness of their hearts. They want to see young children have sports experience. They want to see our community thrive, and those volunteers are willing to give up their extra time to ensure everything is ready for each season.

What a huge responsibility for each volunteer! To prepare for their regular work week, perhaps take their children to practices or study and to turn around and head to the gym or fields to prepare for kids to play takes not only willingness, but character and heart.

To PEFYA, I say good job. Not only for choosing to dedicate its gym to a hard-working person, but for always striving to give kids in our community a chance to have a wonderful sports experience from when they begin to the end of their recreational sports careers.

To Dews, I say job well done and thank you for aiding PEFYA in making a difference in our community.

HANNAH DAVIS is editor of The Charlotte Gazette and The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch and a staff reporter for The Herald. Her email address is hannah.davis@farmvilleherald.com.