The historic courthouse in Carthage seemed to go “to the dogs” last week when county commissioners honored an animal rights organization and others for their volunteer work in the area.

The Board of Commissioners, in coordination with National Volunteer Recognition Week, presented the 2012 Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism to five recipients. One individual also received the Moore County Medallion Award for Volunteerism.

Pastor Bryan Rainbow of Sandhills Assembly Church, the advisory council chairman for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program which helps to “nominate, score and select” local volunteers, congratulated all Moore County volunteers for their “phenomenal” work.

“This prestigious award honors outstanding volunteers of all ages, in all areas of community service, who donate their time through agencies, clubs, churches or (who) as independent individuals are making a difference in the lives and families of Moore County,” he said.

“To each of you who has read to a child, stocked a food pantry shelf, delivered a meal to a shut-in, helped run a blood drive, or accomplished countless other deeds, this week belongs to you. Thank you for your dedicated service.”

The event last week marked the 33rd year of the statewide award program. Nominations were solicited in 2011 for individuals, groups, senior and volunteer youth, and teams or businesses whose commitment to volunteerism “has positively impacted Moore County citizens.”

Prior to the presentation of awards, the board approved a volunteer recognition proclamation in honor of “the outstanding volunteers in community service who donate their time through nonprofits, charities, agencies, churches, or as independent individuals who are making a difference where they live.”

Individual category award recipients included Brenda Burt of West End, for her care of the homeless, and Judi Giles of Pinehurst, who began her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity in 1998.

“Membership in the Pine Bluff Lion’s Club is another of Judi’s passions,” Rainbow said. “She helps raise money for locals who need glasses, vision exams or hearing aids.”

Rainbow said Giles was a drag-strip car driver for 16 years.

“Then, due to being widowed at an early age, Judi … counsel(s) women on what they need to know so they are able to be self-sufficient.”

Carthage resident Kay Davis, 93, received the lifetime category award for her work with the Carthage United Methodist Church food pantry and others.

“‘Ma’ Kay, as friends and family call her, is still committed to a regular schedule of donating work and time to the garden club, the historical society, the Carthage museum, and the Methodist Women’s Circle,” Rainbow said. “She prepares lunches for 88 people, boxes groceries for area families … and as a Master Gardener, promotes the beauty of plantings.”

Rainbow also recognized Joyce Hunt, of Pinehurst, who was program manager of the Taylortown “Blitz Build” in 1996. She received the senior category award for her years of volunteer work with Habitat.

“Habitat built seven houses in two weeks for the ‘Blitz Build’ project,” Rainbow said. “This huge job required her to solicit hundreds of volunteers throughout the community and schedule their time, oversee the construction of homes in various stages, organize the children of potential homeowners, and request lunches from churches and area businesses.”

Hunt served as the Habitat president in 1994 and 1995.

The Moore County Citizens for Pet Responsibility Committee, members of which were accompanied by six “therapy dogs” in the courthouse, won in the group category.

“Angela Zumwalt and Pamela Partis are co-chairs of the Moore County Citizen’s Pet Responsibility Committee,” Rainbow said. “Their goal is to develop a generation of adults who will not perpetuate the animal overpopulation tragedy. Because of their tireless dedication, children are being educated about the importance of being responsible pet owners.”

Rainbow said that due to the efforts of the committee, “We can anticipate a kinder, more humane life for Moore County’s pets in the future.”

Zumwalt said it was “wonderful” for the group to be recognized by the county board.

“It is even more meaningful because the times are changing and more awards are coming to animal-related organizations than ever before. It is positive attention for an important cause.”

Burt also won the state medallion award for her work with the homeless.

“As a teenager growing up in Scotland County, the family rule was that at 18 you moved out,” she said. “I lived in a car but I got a job and worked hard, and I bought my first house at age 21.”

In 2009, Burt and her husband, Ron, created “GodSent Angels Mission,” an organization designed to “feed, clothe, and provide showers, haircuts and portable shelter” to the homeless.

“In 2011 we assisted 209 homeless children in Moore County with an average age of 9 years,” Burt said. “Many people have absolutely no idea that a homeless problem of this degree exists in our county.”

Burt was honored in Raleigh last Thursday as one of 20 recipients of the state Medallion award. She and her husband are the owners of the West End Barber Shop and the Pinehurst Barber Shop.

Commissioners’ Chairman Larry Caddell called the meeting “a good night.”

“To be successful in life you have to be a giver,” he said. “If everybody did what these volunteers do, what a better life there would be for everyone.”

Contact John Lentz at 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.