Savannah Speech and Hearing Center has named Bridget W. Gardner of Savannah as the recipient of the 2024 Annie F. Oliver Volunteer of the Year award. Mrs. Gardner began volunteering with the Savannah Speech & Hearing Center (SSHC) in 1983, as a member of the Junior League of Savannah. At that time, SSHC invited schools to transport students to the center for hearing screenings and Mrs. Gardner was part of a team volunteering in performing these screenings. As time has gone on and student populations increased, SSHC initiated outreach measures to provide hearing screenings at the schools themselves in both Chatham and Bryan Counties as well as at other community centers. Mrs. Gardner has been instrumental in this community outreach initiative for the past three years, volunteering over 155 hours.

The Annie F. Oliver Volunteer of the Year award has been given on an annual basis since 1978, celebrating extraordinary dedication and service supporting the mission of Savannah Speech & Hearing Center in providing access to comprehensive speech, hearing, language and other therapeutic services that empower and transform lives.