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KENANSVILLE — James Preston Brown Jr., Issac “Leroy” Dewitt and Donna Sessoms Grubbs were recognized for their selfless dedication and contributions, through their volunteerism, to Duplin County at the May 6 County Commissioners meeting. The three volunteers are recipients of the 2024 Duplin Governor Volunteer Service Award. Faison Sea Scout Ship 5, while not present, was also recognized for their outstanding contributions and will be presented with the award at a future meeting.
Melisa Brown, Duplin County Senior Services director, introduced each of the three volunteers asking them to come to the front, where Chair Dexter Edwards presented them with the award and a commemorative pin.
The first volunteer was Brown, also known as Jimmy, he was recognized for his service in the following categories: Health and Human Services, Youth Service, Lifetime Achievement, Historically Underserved Population, and Senior Service.
“Mr. Jimmy has a passion to serve. When he retired, he became involved with Eastern Baptist Association and soon thereafter with Charity Mission Center. He has been an integral part of leading the ramp ministry for the last 10 years,” said Brown. “Mr. Jimmy serves others with love and compassion expanding outside Duplin County, serving in various capacities on national and international mission trips. The construction knowledge he has acquired, he shares with others to reach people with limited mobility. Although he does not share the personal cost and effort, it does not go unnoticed that if he sees a need outside of the ramp request, he will personally secure [it] for the individual. In addition, Mr. Jimmy’s knowledge and partnerships extend into the community, assisting the local senior center to decrease the waiting list for ramp projects.”
This last year alone, the 75-year-old volunteered 1,200 hours of service.
The next volunteer was Dewitt, he was recognized for his service in the following categories: Health and Human Services, Youth Service, Lifetime Achievement, Historically Underserved Population, and Senior Service.
Dewitt, a U.S. Army veteran, has served as a homebound meal volunteer delivering meals in the Warsaw community since 2005.
“Quite often Mr. Dewitt would pick up an extra rotation to deliver meals, offer additional assistance to the seniors served, such as a grocery store pickup, or change out a light bulb in the seniors’ home,” said Brown as she introduced him.
“For over 15 years, Mr. Dewitt has served as a Trustee in the [First Missionary Baptist Church], and still currently serves as a Deacon. He was instrumental with the Kid’s Café — an after-school program for grades 1-8 that was held at the First Missionary Baptist Church.”
Brown also shared that Dewitt is very generous with fundraising efforts in the Church and is always willing to help wherever needed in the community.
Dewitt has volunteered 520 hours of service.
The third volunteer introduced to the board was Grubbs. She was recognized for her service in the following categories: Health and Human Services, Youth Service, Senior Service and Other.
“Donna has a true servant’s heart. She leads her local Church mission ministry, spearheading several mission projects that serve participants from a variety of age groups. As a retired schoolteacher, she has a passion for children and adults. In 2022, Donna started the Adopt-a-tiger program with the local schools, currently at Kenansville Elementary and James Kenan High School.”
Brown explained that this initiative pairs a teacher with a church member who sends them cards of encouragement, and/or supplies and treats each month. “Currently, this project is blessing 200 teachers, and school support staff members,” Brown said.
According to Brown, Grubbs coordinated several efforts in the community, among them Operation Christmas Child, Easter Palooza Egg Hunt, and the annual food drive to support the Eastern Baptist Association.
“This year, approximately 300 items were collected and delivered. In addition, she serves on the Backpack Buddy Ministry for school children,” said Brown about Grubbs. “Each year, from January to April 15, you will find Donna alongside her husband assisting with the IRS Volunteer tax aide program. She most often will be the one outside gathering the intake and completing packets.”
Grubbs, who is a Regional Aging Advisory Committee delegate and a member of the Senior Services Aging Advisory Committee, volunteered 438 hours of service.
“We could not have the results we have in this county if it wasn’t for our volunteers,” said Chair Edwards as he thanked the three volunteers for their service and dedication.
