Penick Village recently held its Lenolia Holmes Employee Service Recognition Dinner at The Barn Restaurant in Southern Pines.

Holmes was a certified nursing assistant at Penick Village for 35 years.

The celebration recognizes employees for their contributions and loyal service to Penick Village.

The guest speaker at the event was David Crabtree, a trustee of the Penick Village Foundation and new anchor for WRAL-TV News in Raleigh. Crabtree, an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church, encouraged staff members to be who they are.

"If you are doing what God created you to do, you will be satisfied, and it will bring you great joy because you are doing exactly what you are meant to do," Crabtree said. "One way I am convinced we stay alive is by giving -- giving one more hug, listening to a story one more time, and taking the time to genuinely give of yourself to others."

Crabtree closed with a touching story about a pastor doing clinical pastoral care at a mental hospital. Every time the pastor was at the hospital he saw a patient with paranoid schizophrenia sitting in a room acting out something with her hands.

Busy as he was, the pastor went on his way and didn't talk to her until one day he finally stopped and asked her what she was doing. She was making a motion to her chest that she still had a heart. He said the pastor realized that the patient understood that she may have lost her mind but not her heart.

Crabtree encouraged the staff of Penick Village to continue to keep giving and not to lose their hearts.

Employee awards were given by board Vice President Doug Gill, Penick Village CEO Jeff Hutchins and Crabtree, as Leadership Team members recognized each employee's individual contributions to Penick Village.

"Recognizing the great people who work at Penick Village is very important to us," Hutchins said. "The people we are recognizing tonight have over 700 years of service at Penick Village! Their dedication and commitment to the Penick Village residents has been shown day in and day out for years and years, and it truly touches my heart.

"They perform the essential ministry of caring for senior adults in our society, and the spotlight should shine on them because of their greatness."

Overall, 53 employees were acknowledged for having five years or more of service to Penick Village. They are: Cheryl Futrell, 32 years; Deborah Lucas and Marla Goins, 31 years; Rena McRae, 29 years; Nora Gilmore, 28 years; Anna Stephens and Donald Ring, 25 years; Vivian Martin, 23 years; Vestoria Groomes, 21 years;

Susan Locklear, Harriet Faulk, Alma Blake and Teshia McLean, 15 years; Charlene Stubbs, Joyce Barnes, Talisha King and George Douglas, 10 years; Iasia Moore, Patricia Mason, Saundra Smith, Jeffrey Hutchins, Telethia Blake, Amanda McMillan, Melinda Jackson, Justin Wheaton, and Frankie Gattis, five years.