Black Caucus leader honored with President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement award

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The chair of the New Hanover County chapter of the National Black Leadership Caucus has received a rare honor from President Joe Biden.

At Tuesday night’s Wilmington City Council meeting, Mayor Bill Saffo honored Sonya Patrick, presenting her with the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement award.

The award honors people across America who have volunteered hundreds if not thousands of hours over their lifetime.

Patrick was honored for volunteering more than 12,600 hours of service “to the community and the nation.”

Patrick said there will be a lot more volunteering to come.

“I was nominated for my volunteer and community service for the last 20 years, which included work with bringing awareness to 1898 and many issues in Wilmington,” Patrick said. “My goal is always to try to leave this place better than how I found it and that’s what I’ve always tried to do.” 

Patrick said she never thought she would ever be recognized by the President of the United States and feels grateful to have been nominated for the award.