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0 <br />North Carolina Governor's Award <br />for <br />Outstanding Volunteer Service <br />Orange County Recipients for 2008 <br />Each year Orange County recognizes its most outstanding Community volunteers. The process began <br />in the summer when nomination forms are sent to non-profit and governmental human services <br />agencies in Orange County and information sent to the media. Agencies are asked to nominate an <br />Individual, Group or Business for their outstanding service. Fifteen nominees were received. A panel <br />of judges picked the five finalists including one as the Medallion Award nominee representing Orange <br />County in Governor's Office selection of the top 20 outstanding volunteers in North Carolina. <br />Each County recipient will receive a N.C. Volunteer Award certificate, a congratulation letter signed <br />by the Governor and an Outstanding Volunteer recognition pin. In addition, Orange County <br />Commissioners have created a local "Governor's Volunteer Awards" plaque that displays each year's <br />winners. <br />The 2008 winners in alphabetical order including their nominating organization or individual are as <br />follows: <br />Sue Battle <br />(Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools-Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate) <br />Sue Battle is indeed a Mentor for Mentors, contributing over ten years of community service in Orange <br />County. Sue was nominated by the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate <br />Program. She is commended for her patience and keen ability to read between the lines in order to <br />bridge the sixty-year gap between her and the children she has taken under her wing. As a mentor, she <br />provided shelter from family violence for one child and guided another to explore the arts and sciences <br />that led to travels in Africa and the pursuit of a college education. The positive impact of Sue's efforts <br />has encouraged life changes for children to grow and prosper. The average length of a mentoring <br />relationship in the United States is 9 months. Sue Battle's 10 years of mentoring (9 with one child) has <br />provided an exemplary model for the families, our community and our state. Orange County and the <br />state of North Carolina greatly appreciate her selfless acts of kindness and present this award for <br />outstanding community service. <br />Debbie Finn <br />(Orange County Rape Crisis Center) <br />For 34 years... 34 years. Debbie Finn has humbly worked for this community moving from one need <br />to another, going where she could best serve. The first 24 years were dedicated to the Chapel Hill- <br />Carrboro School System, lending her expertise in education to hundreds of children. Here she focused <br />on reading and language as a tutor, a reading partner and then a testing administrator at Seawell <br />School. For the last ten years her strength and compassion has been given to the Rape Crisis Center of <br />Orange County, beginning with sixty hours of training which stood her in good stead as crisis <br />counselor. Additionally she served on the Board of directors and most recently as office volunteer. <br />Debbie has also given her time to Dress for Success to assist the unemployed, the Board of Adjustment <br />for the Town of Chapel Hill and Board of the Chamber Orchestra for the triangle. Debbie is a beacon <br />