Three Granville County residents were recognized at the Granville commissioners’ meeting Monday evening for their outstanding volunteer efforts in the community.
Jerry Broyal, Mary Elliott and Roxanne Blackburn received the Governor’s Volunteer Service award from Deborah Ferrell, county coordinator for the annual award. Commission Chair Sue Hinman presented each recipient with a signed proclamation and a commemorative coin marking 2021 as the county’s 275th anniversary.
Broyal was nominated for his work with the residents of Royall Cottage at Murdoch Developmental Center. He organized a group from his church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, to visit with the men who live at the facility. He provides “a breath of fresh air” with those visits, the nomination form read. Broyal collects craft items and appropriate snacks for the residents and he and his fellow parishioners spend quality time with the residents.
Elliott was nominated for her steadfast commitment to Area Congregations in Ministry, Oxford’s food pantry. Hinman, who also is ACIM’s executive director, read excerpts of the nomination form. “When you ask Mary if she works at ACIM every day, she says ‘No, just Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Hinman said. “But that IS every day that ACIM is open!” she exclaimed.
Blackburn was recognized with the Governor’s Medallion Award for her work with Granville Animal Shelter. She was nominated by Shelter Director Matt Katz for her tireless work to find new homes for the shelter’s dogs and cats, be it adoptive families or in foster homes or with rescue groups. Blackburn manages the shelter’s Facebook page, takes the photos and writes the bios of all the shelter animals. The success rate the shelter enjoys is because of the “passion, professionalism and work ethic” that Blackburn demonstrates.