United Way HandsOn Savannah held its 38^th Annual Volunteer Awards luncheon celebrating the giving spirit of volunteers who made a difference in the lives of others.  More than 250 people attended the event held at Savannah Station. 

Various community organizations in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties nominated individuals as a way to say thank you for their exceptional service.  Winners were selected from a field of 56 nominees in each of five categories. The winners and the organizations they served are as follows:

• Animal Advocacy Award winner: Jane Mace, Islands Feral Cat Project

• Arts & Culture Award winner: C.A. Miller, Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum

• Education Award winner: Horizons Savannah Youth Volunteers, Horizons Savannah

• Environment Award winner: Will Sims, Savannah Tree Foundation

• Human Services Award winner: Rosalie Wilson, Senior Citizens, Inc.

The Herschel V. Jenkins Volunteer of the Year Award was selected from the winners above.  Mr. Jenkins was a visionary and a community building volunteer who believed in the work of United Way and the importance of giving back to the community.  The award went to Rosalie Wilson.  A monetary prize of $1,000 was awarded to Senior Citizens, Inc.

A $500 scholarship award, given by Critz Auto Group, was presented to the highest scoring youth individual in honor of their outstanding service.  The winner of this is award was Abreona Batts for her volunteer service through Horizons Savannah. 

Additionally, United Way HandsOn Savannah acknowledges the critical role that professional volunteer administrators play in each of our nominees’ service with the Shirley Sessions Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award.  Shirley Sessions, a veteran leader of United Way HandsOn Savannah, is a passionate and dedicated advocate who understands and embodies the power of service to make our community stronger.  The 2017 Volunteer Administrator of the Year award went to Khani Morgan of Royce Learning Center.