Hilton Head Island
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The Mayor's Honored Islander Award Program publicly recognizes Hilton Head Island residents who make a significant sacrifice of their time, talents and/or resources, to better the community without compensation or significant public or media attention.
A committee of individuals appointed by the mayor reviews nominations and selects individuals to receive the award.
Anyone or any organization may nominate individuals for the award.
Mayor's Honored Islander Nomination Form
Congratulations to Mary Wilcox, Ray Warco, and Sanford Kaufman on receiving the Hilton Head Island Mayor's Honored Islander Award for volunteerism.
Mary Wilcox Ms. Mary Wilcox has been a valued member of the Hilton Head Island community for the past 10 years. As a dedicated volunteer at The Deep Well Project for many years, she patiently and calmly speaks with clients to obtain needed information about their situation. Her calming demeanor helps foster a sense of trustworthiness to those in need of help. She has tirelessly played a major role in the Santa Shop, spending countless hours to ensure that Island children have surprises under the tree on Christmas morning. More importantly, she is always the first to help with any need that arises at Deep Well!
Ray Warco Mr. Ray Warco has been a dedicated member of the Hilton Head Island community for the past 37 years. He is currently serving as Chair of the Greater Island Council of Hilton Head Island & Bluffton. Ray is also a Class "B" Commercial Board Member of Sea Pines CSA Board of Directors. One of his proudest achievements was receiving the Alice Glenn Doughtie Good Citizenship Award in 2015. Additionally, he also served as a board member for The Children's Center, Volunteers in Medicine, Hilton Head Hospital, and the Town of Hilton Head Island Rescue Squad. Furthermore, Ray served as past Chairman of the School Improvement Council and past President of the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island-Vanlandingham.
Sanford Kaufman Mr. Sanford Kaufman has been a dedicated member of the Hilton Head Island community for over 14 years. He is a lay volunteer at Volunteers in Medicine for the past 8 years, contributing over 1,700 hours of volunteer service. Sanford wears many hats at VIM, but currently he is a check-out specialist, assisting patients in setting up future appointments, and helping to make referrals to specialist providers within the Clinic. He also serves as a Greeter at the front door and as a Pharmacy Tech in the VIM Pharmacy. In addition, Sanford serves as a chief trainer when changes are implemented in the check-out or receptionist area process. Sanford often serves as many as 5 shifts per week and is willing to fill-in a for a last-minute absence. His reliability, knowledge, communication skills, and skillset make him an invaluable member of both the VIM and the wider Hilton Head Island community.
Congratulations to Joseph Chappell, Marsha Jenkins, Ray Makalous, Sherwood Platt, and Dr. Rick Sunderlin on receiving the Hilton Head Island Mayor's Honored Islander Award for volunteerism.
Joseph Chappell Joseph has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island since 2011, serving as president from 2022 to 2023. He also serves on the board of the Hilton Head Island Computer Club, where he teaches classes and assists members with networking and security issues. In addition, Joseph volunteers with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (HHSO) and led the team that created the SoundWaves live streaming program when COVID made live performances impossible. He now serves as the streaming director for the HHSO and has used his streaming skills to benefit Rotary, the Beaufort Symphony Orchestra, and Memory Matters. Furthermore, Joseph has co-chaired the team of RBC Heritage volunteers who staff over 12 ticket entry gates at this annual tournament.
Marsha Jenkins Hilton Head Native Marsha Jenkins has dedicated her life to educating youth, from preschoolers to high schoolers. She was a lead teacher at the Children's Center, where she spent 45 years of her career. Recently, the Center's breakroom was named in her honor. Beyond the center, Marsha has volunteered with various organizations that offer youth programs. Since 1995, she has served as the Youth Program organizer and advisor at the Historic First African Baptist Church, engaging youth in Easter and Christmas programs, vacation bible school and other activities to learn about Jesus Christ. Marsha lends her organizational skills to the Veronica Simmons-Miller Memorial Backpack Initiative, serving as its volunteer coordinator and supervisor. She is also the volunteer supervisor for the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, where she is responsible for recruiting, training and supervising youth and adult docents to provide educational information about Gullah history and culture during the museum's annual celebrations.
Ray Makalous Ray Makalous' extensive volunteer work and ability to create impactful connections improves the quality of life on Hilton Head Island and beyond. A dedicated member of the Sunset Rotary Club, Ray has also fostered collaboration with the Bluffton Rotary Club to amplify collective efforts for the greater good. As co-founder of the Java Men Thursday Coffee Group, Ray has brought civic-minded Island residents together to exchange ideas and identify volunteer opportunities at local charitable organizations where they can fill a need. He embodies the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self," by importing and launching initiatives that improve lives. One example is the Giving Grove Charitable Farming program, which he introduced in the Lowcountry. This national program establishes sustainable micro-orchards in urban areas, providing fresh food to those in need and addressing hunger in meaningful ways. Ray's advocacy extends to affordable housing, where he has helped Christ Lutheran Church and other volunteers preserve affordable housing options at Chimney Cove, protecting residents from potential displacement. He also championed efforts for the successful passage of Beaufort County School District's $439 million bond issue, ensuring strong investments in local education. Ray truly represents the spirit of giving and community leadership and inspires those around him to join in his efforts to build a stronger, more connected Lowcountry.
Sherwood Platt When Sherwood Platt permanently moved to Hilton Head Island four years, he immediately started volunteering at Pockets Full of Sunshine. Every weekday, you can find this 90-year-old volunteer at the organization's warehouse figuring out a way to help, whether it's repairing something or creating something out of wood that can be used in the program or sold as part of a fundraiser. Sherwood has become the organization's jack-of-all-trades using his handyman and woodworking skills for their programs, activities and fundraisers for special needs adults. Some of his recent woodworking projects include holiday ornaments, bird houses, Adirondack chairs and corn hole sets that are then painted or decorated by the special needs adults and sold at community events as part of their fundraising efforts. He also built a Little Free Library that will be placed in the community on behalf of Pockets Full of Sunshine to provide books to local readers of all ages. The team at Pockets Full of Sunshine calls Sherwood "grandfather" for his contributions, the lunchtime stories he shares with program participants and his work as an unofficial ambassador who spreads the word about the organization to encourage other community members to get involved. He has a giving spirt and a heart of gold and truly makes a difference in the lives of the special needs adults.
Dr. Rick Sunderlin Dr. Rick Sunderlin, a dedicated volunteer endocrinologist at the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Clinic on Hilton Head Island, has been serving the community for 25 years. He has accumulated over 6,500 volunteer hours, regularly covering four of the clinic's seven medical shifts. He provides care to more than 800 diabetic patients and treats individuals with thyroid conditions. His treatment approach includes quarterly check-ups with patients to monitor their blood sugar levels and educate them on healthy dietary and lifestyle choices. Known for his cheerful and engaging demeanor, Dr. Sunderlin is a vital member of both the VIM and Hilton Head Island communities.
Congratulations to Faquita Aiken-Rivera, Jeff Rogers and Jean Vahey on receiving the Hilton Head Island Mayor's Honored Islander Award for volunteerism.
Faquita Aiken-Rivera Faquita Aiken-Rivera's passion for helping children thrive and expand their knowledge is at the core of her volunteer work and professional life. A proud Hilton Head Island native, Faquita serves as a Behavior Management Specialist at the Hilton Head Island School for Creative Arts, where she goes above and beyond to support hundreds of students. From ensuring they have uniforms to providing transportation to practices and guiding them toward positive choices, Faquita truly prioritizes their success both in and out of the classroom. In 2017, Faquita launched the Veronica Simmons Miller Back-to-School Initiative to honor her late mother, who passed away in 2018. This initiative, which started by providing essential school supplies and new shoes to students in grades K-12, has grown into an annual community event. Beyond distributing supplies, the event now includes lunch, fun activities for children, and motivational speakers to inspire students for the year ahead. Faquita collaborates with local church groups and businesses to secure the resources needed to reach as many children as possible. Her tireless efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of countless children.
Jeff Rogers Since retiring and moving to Hilton Head Island in 2017, Jeff Rogers has embraced the Island's spirit of community by dedicating his time to the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island, the Deep Well Project, and Second Helpings. As Fundraising Chair for Rotary, he played a role in securing funds to provide financial assistance for underserved students with exceptional academic achievement. Jeff's contributions to the Deep Well Project include volunteering in its food pantry and later stepping into a leadership role as the Director of Building Maintenance and Transportation. Jeff has also been involved with the Salvation Army's bell-ringing program in recent years and serves as a key volunteer for the RBC Heritage and other community events, where he represents Rotary with dedication and enthusiasm. With a genuine heart for service, Jeff exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that makes Hilton Head Island a special place.
Jean Vahey Jean Vahey has been an integral part of the Hilton Head Island community for 12 years, dedicating her time and talents to numerous leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Hilton head Island. Jean has served as the coordinator for the Deep Well Christmas Shop, thoughtfully organizing donated toys, clothes, and gifts to help parents create joyful holidays for their children. After retiring from her part-time position with the Deep Well Project, Jean continued volunteering with the Christmas Shop. A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, Jean has embraced several leadership roles, including serving as a deacon, an usher, and the leader of a neighborhood care group. Her active participation extends to social witness activities and small groups. Beyond her church and Rotary involvement, Jean lends her expertise as the Volunteer Coordinator for the World Affairs Council.
The Mayor's Honored Islander Award Program publicly recognizes Hilton Head Island residents who sacrifice their time, talents, and resources to better the community without compensation or significant public or media attention. A committee of individuals appointed by the mayor reviews nominations and selects recipients. Anyone or any organization may nominate individuals for the award.
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