June 12, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
On Wednesday, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) hosted the annual Giving From the Heart (GFH) Volunteer Awards at Conover Station to recognize and thank some of the most invaluable members of every nonprofit in the county.
This year’s group of 28 nominees was equally amazing as in the past with individuals who have donated their time for decades, to groups who never say no when presented a task, to youth who are setting a new standard for community outreach.
And once again, the winner of each nomination category received $500 from Piedmont Natural Gas to be paid to the non-profit organization of their choice.
The 2025 GFH winners
Youth Category
Zaira Mendoza – Catawba County Juntos 4-H
Group Category
Kindness Project Leadership Team
Individual Category
Marc St. Germain – NC Guardian ad Litem
During the event, this year’s NC Governor’s Volunteer Award recipients were also recognized. They were chosen from the 2024 list of Giving From the Heart nominees.
The Catawba County United Way also thanks The Hickory Soup Kitchen who catered the luncheon.
INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES
Colleen Hastings – American Red Cross
Daniel Gregory – Exodus Homes
Dr. David Bost – Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry
Donna Schronce - Ashure Ministry
Dustin Thompson - Walk With Me, INC
Felicia Harkey - Ashure Ministry
Leanne Eichinger - Women’s Resource Center
Marc St. Germain – NC Guardian ad Litem
Melanie Elrod – Safe Harbor
Ralph Dell – Ashure Ministry
Renny Whetzel – Meals on Wheels of Catawba County
Richard Jessee – Safe Harbor Resource Warehouse
Robin Ray Martin – Fostering Hope Catawba Valley
Rose Sipe – Safe Harbor
Samantha Hubanks – Safe Harbor
Sarah W. Huffman – Catawba Science Center
Shannon Ratcliffe – Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center Augustine Tutor
Trey Hamilton Ward – The Salvation Army Of Greater Hickory and High Country
GROUP NOMINEES
Ashure Ministry “Wrecking Crew” – Ronnie Belloir, Jonathan Eckard, Kevin Hawley and Patty Hawley
Council on Adolescents – Design Foundry Mentoring Group: Cassia Dowdy, Cora "Nini" Ray, Elizabeth Cruz, Gao Kue, Jason Estrada, Jay Logan, Jeffery Mitchell, Jonathan Vergel, Joshua Vang, Katja Peereboom, Kendrick Swepson, Lanesha Lineberger, Stacie Dodenhoff, Michael Burgin, Shannon Conley, Warren Alexander and Wesley Lloyd
Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry “Dynamic Duo” – Bill Powell and Jerry Peppers
The Kindness Project Leadership Team – Natalie Auton, Ashley Dellinger, Brittany Dula, Linda Huffman, and Amber Taylor
The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center Advisory Council – Kendra Yang, Rick Martin, Rose Arant, Diana Cline, Mindy Crooks, David Hall, Jen Hall, Suzanne Hall, Andy Kerley, Kathee Martin, Rachele Maxy, Beth Whicker
The Corner Table Community Kitchen – Wayne and Sharon Yount
YOUTH NOMINEES
Emma Pierce – The Kindness Project Inc
Kyra Ryhal – Ashure Ministry
Layla Bandy – Walk With Me Healing Steps
Zaira Mendoza – Catawba County Juntos 4-H Program
NC GOVERNOR’S AWARDEES
Jason Keating – Walk With Me Equine Therapy,
Dana and Josia Florez – NC Cooperative Extension 4-H,
Luke Wilkinson – The Corner Table,
Amber Taylor – The Kindness Project Hickory,
Betty Lynch – Ashure Ministry,
Denise Bilhorn – Safe Harbor,
Elizabeth Belvin – Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry,
Nancy Lipe – Hickory Soup Kitchen,
Robert Sand – Catawba County Meals on Wheels,
NC Governor’s Volunteer Medallion - Darlene Sanders – Exodus Homes.
Learn more about the Giving From the Heart Awards, this year’s nominees and see photos from the event at -
THIS LINK.