Savannah Speech and Hearing Center, a nonprofit organization serving the speech pathology and audiology needs of the Coastal Empire, is pleased to announce Andrew Jones as this year’s recipient of the Annie F. Oliver Award for Volunteer of the Year. Jones worked over 85 hours volunteering at Savannah Speech and Hearing Center and its Sound Start School.

The Annie F. Oliver Award recognizes excellence and a strong commitment to volunteering for the betterment of the Savannah Speech and Hearing Center Community. Jones was honored with the award at a special volunteer reception held last week. The award was created in 1979 to honor Annie F. Oliver, an administrator of the Savannah Speech and Hearing Center from 1962 to 1978 and a community volunteer.  Thus far, there have been 35 recipients.

In 2016, the Savannah Speech and Hearing Center volunteers screened over 5,713 students in 30 public, private, and preschools in Savannah, Richmond Hill, and Pooler.  In addition, the volunteers spent 1260 hours serving at Sound Start, school hearing screenings, Hammond for Hope Auction, and The Stroke Support Group.

“I began volunteering at Sound Start in August 2016 and immediately knew I made the right choice,” said Andrew Jones, Annie F. Oliver Volunteer of the Year recipient. “My first day volunteering was quite overwhelming, to say the least. The classroom had just experienced a rather exciting arts and crafts activity and the kids were eager to make a new friend with the new volunteer, me!”

“Over the months at Sound Start, my relationships with these amazing and special kids grew to something I will cherish forever,” said Jones. “Being a part of their education and helping them progress through their speech and hearing skills is truly an honor. From one-on-one sessions, to group sessions, and from field trips to play time, I will always treasure the time I spent with the Sound Start children.”

Jones is currently a senior at Armstrong State University and will graduate in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. His goal is to attend Armstrong’s communication sciences and disorders master’s program and later become a Speech- Language Pathologist.