Judge, Azalea Festival receive Volunteer Service Awards

SOUTHEASTERN, NC (WWAY) — A Superior Court Judge and volunteers with the NC Azalea Festival are both being recognized for their volunteerism.

Judge Douglas Sasser (Photo: NC Admin. Office of the Courts)

Judge Douglas B. Sasser, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Bladen and Columbus Counties will actually receive two awards for his volunteer efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Because of the damage in Fair Bluff, Pireway, and the Old Dock communities, Judge Sasser took a lead role in organizing and distributing food, water, cleaning supplies, and other basic items to residents whose homes were flooded and were left without food, water and basic necessities.

Judge Sasser said these awards are an honor but, “my true reward was seeing how much a simple act of kindness could mean to someone who was hurting and in need. I would like to thank the many friends and family members, and even strangers, who gave their time, energy, and financial resources to help others.”

Sasser will receive the Volunteer Service Award as well as the Governor’s Medallion Award. The Medallion Award recognizes the top 20 volunteers in NC. Medallion recipients are nominated at the county level then evaluated by a panel of community service leaders from across the state

The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.

One group receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award is the Azalea Festival volunteers. Volunteers log an estimated 15,000 hours of work, which translates to an estimated value of $438,000 each year.While volunteers are asked to commit to the Festival for one year, the majority of volunteers remain for years, even decades. 

Many of the North Carolina Azalea Festival Committee members have been serving with the Festival for 20, 30, and even 50 years. For example, 2017 Azalea Festival President Jean A. Lawler has served 57 years with the North Carolina Azalea Festival since her start in 1960.

“The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award is an indication that we have a unique and thriving volunteer program, and that’s something I am so proud to be a small part of,” says Lawler. “One of my favorite aspects of the Festival is witnessing the generational cohesiveness that stems from grandparents being involved and then parents, children, siblings…it truly becomes a ‘Festival Family’ celebrating the city that we love.”

If you’re interested in signing up with the festival, click here and check the “How to Get Involved” box.  The festival will notify you when the 2018 Volunteer Registration opens.