Gary Grant of Tillery was selected as one of the top 20 volunteers in the state and was recognized by Halifax County commissioners Monday for receiving the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service.
Deputy County Manager Christina Wells told the board that the medallion award is given to the top 20 volunteers in the state.
Wells also announced the county’s winners of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards — Ervin Griffin Sr., former president of Halifax Community College; Donna Valdes, a volunteer with the Halifax County Library; and Jackie Stanley of Rainbow Rescue.
Grant
Of Grant, Wells said the Tillery native is recognized as a distinguished activist, community leader, and former educator whose life’s work has been dedicated to social justice, agricultural sustainability, rural community empowerment, and volunteerism. “Born into a family with deep roots in North Carolina’s farming heritage, this volunteer grew up acutely aware of the challenges faced by small-scale communities, farmers, and African American landowners in the south.”
In the classroom, she said, “He inspired his students by emphasizing the importance of reading comprehension, integrating performing arts into lessons, and using activism to instill the value of civic engagement. Recognizing that nurturing students required work beyond the classroom, this dedicated educator often went above and beyond to volunteer his time to ensure his graduates could succeed.”
After deciding to leave the teaching profession, he began leading the Concerned Citizens of Tillery, where he has championed civil rights, environmental justice, and land preservation. “Recognizing the challenges of food insecurity in rural areas, he has partnered with local farmers and organizations to distribute fresh produce and other foods to families in need,” Wells said. “He has organized community forums on job training and career development to empower residents to secure better opportunities. He has facilitated access to educational resources by collecting and distributing school supplies and books to underprivileged students to ensure they have the tools to succeed.”
His volunteer work also includes providing free workshops on estate planning to empower families to manage their resources effectively and retain generational land. “He has played a vital role in connecting community members with essential services, such as helping residents navigate bureaucratic systems, access state and federal resources, and find vocational training opportunities. These efforts exemplify his dedication to addressing both immediate needs and systemic challenges facing rural communities.”
Throughout his career he has received numerous accolades recognizing his commitment to his community and his advocacy work.
The North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, which he helped to establish, honored him in 2024 by naming the Nan Freeland and Gary Grant Seeds of Change Award after him. “This prestigious award recognizes not only Gary’s transformative impact on environmental justice and grassroots activism but also his tireless volunteerism,” Wells told the board. “His dedication to serving others and empowering communities has left a lasting legacy of hope and resilience.”
She described Grant as “a charismatic and dynamic speaker, a tireless advocate, and a selfless volunteer. Gary Grant exemplifies the power of community-driven change and stands as a beacon of hope for underserved communities across the country. His dedication to service and his belief in the strength of collective action continue to inspire those around him. Through his work, he has instilled the importance of volunteerism in younger family members, former students, young people, interns, employees, and countless others.”
Griffin
Well-known throughout Halifax County and the state, Wells described Griffin as a true leader. “He was the first African American President of Halifax Community College. During his presidency, he started PRIDE, a male mentoring program to encourage intellectual, academic and educational success. Helping our communities chart the course, he serves as a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Council, an active civil rights organization.”
Griffin is a trustee at First Baptist Church in Weldon. “This volunteer exercises his faith to give back and inspire people at his church and in the community. He has a strong belief in civil engagement. As such he chose to serve on the Halifax County Board of Elections, a post he has held for seven years, contributing at least 70 hours or more annually to ensure accurate, equitable county elections.”
Griffin is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity which has a focus on responding to issues affecting the African American community, voter engagement, mentoring, education, elder care and more. “He is also a long-standing member of the local Rotary Club and lives by the Rotary mission of providing services to others, promoting integrity, and advancing goodwill, understanding and peace.”
Wells said, “Paying homage to leaders from the past is important to this volunteer. In fact, he was a key part of the committee to create the Sarah Keys Evans Public Art Project in Roanoke Rapids to honor civil rights leader Sarah Keys Evans. The Sarah Keys Evans Public Art Project Committee was not only a 2022 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner but also one of the few statewide to be recognized as a medallion winner.”
Said Wells: “This award winner, Dr. Ervin Griffin, has stood on the shoulders of others to accomplish great things, and he encourages and affords new generations the opportunity to stand on his shoulders to achieve even greater heights.”
Valdes
For over two decades, Valdes “has been a dedicated and invaluable volunteer at the Halifax County Library, leaving a lasting imprint on its programs, spaces, and community. Since 2000, her passion, creativity, and generosity have helped shape the library into a more vibrant and engaging place for patrons of all ages.”
Wells said her involvement in HCL's programs has been nothing short of extraordinary. “Her creativity has played a central role in HCL's annual events, particularly Halloween, where she has transformed spaces, run activity stations, and documented programs through photography.” Since 2018, she has collaborated closely with the branch manager to develop engaging content for seasonal programs, including Halloween, Christmas, and Summer Reading.
“Beyond event planning, her willingness to assist with any decorating or organizing task reflects her deep commitment to maintaining a welcoming and festive atmosphere for all,” Wells said. “She has physically shaped the library by painting the children's room and continuously donating supplies such as coloring books, activity books, and folding tables.”
As the current treasurer of the Friends of the Library, she actively supports library initiatives and assists staff whenever needed. “Whether answering phones, helping at the circulation desk, or participating in staff events, she is always ready to lend a hand.”
Her impact, Wells said, “is felt daily, not only through the programs she helps create but also through the warm and inviting environment she fosters. Patrons often assume she is a staff member, and she graciously assists them or directs them to the appropriate person. Her kindness, attentiveness, and ability to connect with both staff and visitors make her a cherished presence at the library.”
Stanley
Stanley, Wells said, gives her heart and soul to the animals of Halifax County through her service with Rainbow Rescue.
“Animal rescue operations are truly a full-time job,” she said. “Animal rescue is more than full-time because animals need care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rescues can happen in the middle of the night, on the weekend, when travel is planned, and on holidays. No matter when or where she must go, this volunteer is there for these animals.”
Stanley sometimes sees animals which live in deplorable conditions. “She may hear truly sad stories of people who no longer have the capacity to care for their pets due to death, illness or age,” the deputy county manager said. “She may witness wounds, sickness, malnourishment, abuse or death of animals.”
No matter how much all this sadness and heartbreak impacts her, “This volunteer continues, focusing on the joy of saving every animal she can, giving each one love, and bringing them back to health. She supplies the loving care that is so desperately needed, giving not only her time but also her personal finances. The fruits of this investment come when these animals are given to loving families and find their forever homes.”
Quoting philosopher Immanuel Kant, Wells said, “He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
Said Wells: “Clearly, the heart of this award winner Jackie Stanley contains kindness and compassion for Halifax County’s animal citizens.”
About the awards
The Governor's Volunteer Service Award program was created by the Office of the Governor in 1979 and recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers.
Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local communities.
Each county solicits nominations from the public and may select up to 10 individuals, businesses, groups/teams, and one paid director of volunteers.
One of the nominees is chosen by the county to be considered for the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service.
