Burke volunteers garner six NC Governor's awards

Phil Smith couldn’t help but get a little misty-eyed as he began his speech honoring six Burke County winners of the prestigious N.C. Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards.

His normally steady voice shaky with emotion, Smith told the crowd gathered at Morganton’s First United Methodist Church Tuesday evening for the awards ceremony that he was humbled by the occasion.

“I don’t even feel worthy to be talking to you,” the Burke County Commissioner and former educator said.

Moments later, he closed with a heartfelt tribute.

“The old saying, ‘worth your weight in gold’ was coined to honor people like you volunteers,” Smith said. “You are worth your weight in gold, and we love you in Burke County. We appreciate you and thank you for all you do.”

The program, hosted by Volunteer Burke, honored 2025 award winners Caroline Avery, Julie Dickison, Jasper Hemphill, Joyce Poteet, Doug White, and Salem United Methodist Church.

Holly Jones, director of the governor’s western office, read a message from Gov. Josh Stein thanking the winners, who all seemed genuinely touched by the recognition.

“I’m so grateful for your tireless efforts to improve our state,” Stein wrote. “You do what you do because, like me, you love North Carolina and understand the need to give back to the places that have given so much to us.”

The program began in 1979 and honors volunteers across the state who make exceptional contributions. Each county can nominate up to 10 volunteers, which can be individuals, groups, or businesses.

Here’s a look at this year’s Burke winners.

Caroline Avery (Burke United Christian Ministries, nominated by Angela Smith)

Avery, a longtime local volunteer and a former executive director of Volunteer Burke, donates seven hours a week to BUCM, which serves homeless and food insecure people in the community.

She co-chairs BUCM’s capital campaign for its recent $5 million relocation and was quick to jump in and help last fall during Hurricane Helene. Avery has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and is a co-founder of the Burke Coalition for Racial Reconciliation.

“Caroline’s weekly commitment at the front desk is full of patience and kindness, and she is consistently ensuring that she understands the individual’s needs so that she can refer them to the most appropriate resources available,” Smith told the crowd. “She embraces difficult situations with grace and seeks solutions where ‘no’ is never an option.”

“She thinks beyond herself in every situation.”

Julie Dickison (J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, nominated by Alicia Lorenzo Wilson)

Dickison volunteers at the J. Iverson Riddle Center 10 to 14 hours a week and three to four weeks a month after retiring from the JIRDC Psychology Department.

“Julie participates wholeheartedly in special events like the Special Olympics, resident Triathlon, campus dances, Marsha’s Closet Pop-Ups, walking from classroom to classroom reading books and more,” Wilson said. “She spends quality time with residents in the hospital or Medical Care Unit, always prioritizing their comfort and happiness.”

“Her heart is completely devoted to the residents of JIRDC.”

Jasper Hemphill (American Red Cross, AMOREM Hospice and Palliative Care, nominated by David Tubergen)

Hemphill volunteers as many as 20 hours a week for the Red Cross and AMOREM and is in his 23rd year as a Red Cross volunteer.

He also belongs to the Disaster Area Team (DAT) and responds routinely to fires in the community 24 hours a day, by providing temporary relief to the victims of fire or a natural disaster.

“Jasper was nominated by the American Red Cross, but he could have been nominated by a number of organizations he’s involved in serving all over this community,” said Brownie Rochefort, who made the presentation. “Jasper, to me, is the epitome of what this award is all about. Jasper, with his quiet demeanor, possesses a passion for serving others in the world with excellence and with joy.”

Joyce Poteet (AMOREM, nominated by Cyndi Akins)

Poteet donates 15-25 hours a week and 570 per year for nonprofit AMOREM Hospice and Palliative Care.

She serves alongside the medical records specialist at the Valdese campus and sends Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) notes to all outside physicians. She also helps the patient care unit with charting and assists the statistics and reporting specialist in the finance department. Poteet often works at different AMOREM campuses.

“Her passion to serve in administrative work has blessed our organization immensely,” Akins said. “Joyce volunteers usually three full days a week, averaging about 570 hours last year. The service Joyce provides as an office volunteer affects every aspect of AMOREM and most importantly — bottom line — our patients and families.”

Doug White (The Outreach Center, nominated by Kim Michaels)

White gives 12 hours of volunteer time per week to the center, which serves 179 Burke County seniors living in poverty.

White delivers food and offers a helping hand in a variety of capacities based on what seniors need at the moment.

“He visits with his seniors and finds out their needs and goes above and beyond trying to help them,” said Amy Kincaid, who made the presentation. “He bought one senior a heater, when she said she was cold. He assisted building a ramp for a married elderly couple, which allowed them to finally be able to get out of the house and go to church and experience the joy that comes from the freedom of being able to get out and be around people, which most of us take for granted.”

“One person who works with The Outreach Center was in a bad car wreck and needed a new and accessible vehicle. Doug helped make that happen. Doug supported a senior who struggles with hoarding. He empathetically helped her go through her things and hauled loads to the dump in his truck for her. Doug is currently doing everything in his power to ensure that 2 seniors who were about to be evicted get to remain in their homes.”

Salem United Methodist Church (J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, nominated by Teah Nile; accepting were Lindsay Cabe, Darcy Cabe, and Bob Harper)

Church members donate 174 volunteer hours annually at J. Iverson Riddle and have done so for the last decade.

They respond to any need residents may have, supplying them with personal care items, clothing, and leisure items. Church volunteers also offer support and companionship to residents, and volunteer at numerous events including Special Olympics, campus dances, the JIRDC triathlon, and Christmas caroling.

“This group of volunteers knows how to have fun with our residents,” Nile said. “They consistently bring joy and laughter wherever they volunteer. This church partner has been an invaluable partner to the center for the past decade.”

“Salem United Methodist Church is a phenomenal group of people who consistently demonstrate compassion and generosity towards our residents. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support and friendship towards the residents of J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center.”