Eighteen hard-working volunteers in Moore County have been nominated for the 2008 North Carolina Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

The five winners will be announced Thursday when the Retired Senior Volunteer Program honors all nominees at a breakfast celebration at the Senior Enrichment Center.

"Through the years North Carolinians have proven their concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local communities in hospitals, schools and nonprofit agencies," said Karen Beckerman, director of RSVP, an arm of the Moore County Department of Aging.

The nominees are:

Maureen Burke-Horansky is founder of Animal Advocates of Moore County and a volunteer on the Citizens' Pet Responsibility Committee and the Animal Control Ordinance Committee. Her emphasis has been on pet adoptions and prevention of cruelty to animals.

Chris and Fred Cirule are Master Gardeners and First Garden volunteers who have helped more than 200 at-risk children and have logged more than 5,100 hours for FirstHealth. They are also educators at the FirstHealth Farmers Market.

Communities in Schools has a four-year relationship with Aberdeen Elementary School. Andi Korte and her staff implemented the school's First Garden and fitness trail.

Barbara Coleman is founder, primary fundraiser and supporter of Friends of Guardian ad Litem. In 2007 the Guardian ad Litem program worked on behalf of more than 200 children involved in the court system because of abuse or neglect.

Wanda English is a volunteer with the Whispering Pines Thrift Shop, which has donated in excess of $700,000 to community organizations through the years. She now spearheads the Tuesday PM "Enhancers" and also volunteers for the Sandhills Coalition for Human Care.

Dorothy Evans has chaired Bargain Box One for 24 years. This thrift shop, under the auspices of The Village Chapel, has donated $900,000 to charitable organizations through the years.

Betsy Faircloth is a Guardian ad Litem volunteer who has been instrumental in protecting many children from returning to abusive and neglectful situations.

Bill Flanagan is a volunteer construction worker with Habitat for Humanity, where he has served since 2004. Known as "The Step Man," he specializes in porch steps.

Gerald Galloway is a tireless advocate for the United Way. His service ranges from changing light bulbs and air-conditioning filters in the office to hitting the United Way campaign trail.

Dot Greenwood has a license plate, "Recycle2," that tells the story of her service as recycling guru for the League of Women Voters in partnership with Keep America Beautiful.

Mena Holloway has sponsored a Habitat for Humanity family and initiated the first warehouse sale. Funds raised at these sales have launched a legacy of raising money to help build homes for the needy.

Patricia Johnstone and Robert Bambauer have collectively logged 1,678 volunteer hours since they began with St. Joseph of the Pines. She is a retired registered nurse. He is a retired banker and securities expert.

Terry Lenahan has spearheaded improvements to vacant city-owned property, obtained grants and coordinated these efforts from seeds and supplies to development of a garden site, where about 200 children participate.

Paul Nealon is park chairman of the Whispering Pines Garden Club and coordinator of 35 volunteer park caretakers. He is the driving force behind the care and maintenance of 24 parks in the village.

Peter Olson runs errands and makes deliveries for FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care.

Dev Sessler and Lauretta Warshauer are volunteers for the American Red Cross. They recruit volunteers from their community, including their husbands, Stan and Stu. They recently achieved 120 percent of the goal for a blood drive and recruited 21 first-time donors.

Alice Smart averages 16 hours a week as a volunteer tutor of students at Sandhills Community College.

Katherine Stevenson, a volunteer tutor with the Literacy Council, served first as a board member and now serves as president. She is a founding member of the committee that developed the Annual Spelling Bee for Literacy.

RSVP assists more than 35 nonprofit agencies with recruiting and training volunteers and recognizes volunteers for their service. RSVP helps adults age 55 and older to find ways to invest their time and energy in enjoyable, meaningful activities that benefit the community, according to Beckerman.

More information about the program is available by notifying Beckerman at 215-0900 or by e-mail at kbeckerman@moorecountync.gov.