Nelson County Volunteer Community Service Awards Granted

The Nelson County Community Development Foundation and the Nelson County Community Fund have announced the 4th annual Bob West - Sarah Jane Stewart Volunteer Community Service Awards. Two recipients, Delores Green, volunteer for Unity in Community; and Kevin Adams, volunteer for the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department received their awards at the Nelson Center on June 25. 

Established jointly by NCCDF and NCCF to recognize outstanding volunteer service to Nelson County, the $1,000 award will be given annually to persons nominated by area non-profit organizations. 

In nominating Green, who organized Unity in Community in Nelson County in 2007, many cited her tireless work wearing numerous hats for the organization, including writing grants, working on fundraising activities, promoting outreach to clients, donors, and the community in general, as well as organizing monthly community luncheons with various churches as sponsors. 

Unity in Community provides financial assistance for electric and fuel bills; medical and prescription drugs assistance; food; clothing, rent and mortgage assistance; as well as vision and dental care for people. In 2024, the organization raised over $27,000, directly assisting 214 households and impacting the lives of over 380 residents. The organization has a furniture and clothing closet where families who have faced disasters and just starting out again can get furniture and/or clothing for free.

Adams was nominated for running calls outside of his daily work as a 911 dispatcher and for having “a heart dedicated to helping others, regardless of one’s background.” His nomination also cited covering calls during the day or early morning hours. He was cited as always being there in times of need for others and always helping others learn. 

An example given by a colleague was Adams giving up command on "easier" calls to those under him to give them good experience. For example, on a recent brush fire - he ensured the scene was under control and then transferred command to the Membership Vice President. Even though the VP is technically under Kevin - Kevin wanted to give him this opportunity to learn how to be in control of a scene that was under control. 

The award is named for two individuals, Bob West and Sarah Jane Stewart, as exemplars of selfless devotion to improving the Nelson County community. West was active in the NCCDF and many other non-profit organizations and was one of the driving forces in turning Lovingston Elementary School into the Nelson Center, which houses the county’s recreation program, the Virginia Tech Extension Service, the Jefferson Area Board for the Aging’s Cecelia Epp’s senior center, and other organizations. Stewart was an early organizer and board chair in establishing the Rockfish Valley Community Center as a focal point for numerous community activities and several businesses. West and Stewart now live in North Carolina and were in attendance at the award ceremony.