Our own Mac Moody is the recipient of the 2011 Rotarian Service Above Self Award. The award was presented to Mac at the monthly meeting of the Jacksonville Rotary Club July 5, 2011. Besides his service to the Guardian ad Litem Program, Mac also volunteers with the Onslow County Literacy Program and with the Onslow County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16. Mac exemplifies the high ethical standards of the Rotarian, and helps to build goodwill and peace in our community. He truly places service above self. Thanks Mac we are proud of you!

Spotlight on Volunteer – Katelyn Estes

Katelyn has been an Onslow County volunteer only since February of 2011, but is already working on her second difficult case. On her first case she took over for another volunteer that had been working on the case for over two years. We had some concerns about the placement the court was considering, and Katelyn was able to step in and advocate strongly for the best interest of the children.

Katelyn is now on her second case and it is proving to be just as challenging as the first. She is tenacious in her investigation and monitoring of the case and thanks to her diligence has discovered serious violations of court orders that were in place and has been able to aggressively advocate for the safety and protection of these children. Great job!

Spotlight on Volunteer – Tabitha Ernst

Tabitha has been a GAL Volunteer in Onslow County since October 1997. Yes, that is over 13 years of volunteer service. Tabitha’s most recent case finally closed today with the child aging out of foster care. The child had been in the custody of the department since 2005, and Tabitha picked up the case in 2008.

Tabitha has gone over and above advocating for her child client, and was a very stabilizing influence. Most recently Tabitha was able to assist her child client in attending her senior prom. With funding from the Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Association (GALVA) her client was able not only able to attend, but was treated to a night she will never forget. Thank you!

Volunteer Spotlight… Darrell Patterson

Darrell has been an Onslow County GAL Volunteer since August 2008. During this time, Darrell has been assigned to a case involving two children that has kept him busy. Darrell works full time with the United States Postal Service, and has been working on his Masters Degree in marriage and family therapy. Darrell is an active member of Amazing Grace Baptist Church, and has been married for 25 years. His motivation for volunteering with the GAL Program is to give back to his community and to be a positive role model for young men. Darrell has accomplished both of these goals, and we have heard nothing but praise from the agencies and social workers that Darrell comes in contact with.

Volunteer Spotlight… William Sidberry

William has volunteered with the Guardian ad Litem Program for more than thirteen years. He is the longest serving Guardian ad Litem volunteer in Onslow County.

William Sidberry received the Governor’s Medallion Award on November 2, 2009 at the North Carolina State Capitol by Governor Beverly Perdue for his volunteer service to the People and the State of North Carolina. William is part of a select group of only 20 volunteers in the state that received this distinguished honor for 2009.

L’Oreal’s National “Women of Worth”

Tracey Graybar was nominated for L’Oreal’s National “Women of Worth” award for her service to her community and her ability to inspire others by example. Tracey was concerned about gang activity in her small community of Wallace. She contacted and worked with the Principal of the Wallace Elementary School and sent flyers to parents to replace an existing after school program with the Boys and Girls Club; thereby allowing the children in the community to have a more enriching experience. To raise start up funds, Tracey spearheaded the Sheriff’s Ball charitable event. Tracey is volunteering at the new local Boys and Girls Club in Wallace this fall.

Tracey, along with her husband, was instrumental in getting soccer established in their local high school. Tracey tutored several boys to bring up their grades so they could join the soccer team.

All of Tracey’s volunteer activities are child-focused and include: Girl Scout Leader, Boys and Girls Club-Board member and volunteer, Cape Fear Soccer Association, Guardian ad Litem, and Rock Fish Meadows Summer Camp nurse.

Volunteer Spotlight… Jeannette Britt

Jeannette has worked hard and committed countless hours to her case, like so many volunteers do. She has remained vigilant despite many frustrating twists and turns during the year and a half her case has lasted. She has faithfully met with social workers, family members, and of course, the children on a frequent basis. She has consistently provided clear, unambiguous information supporting her recommendations to the court, while remaining optimistic of the family. Jeannette has done all this even as she has simultaneously taken care of the serious medical needs of her own mother. Jeannette’s determination has ensured those children will have a voice in court.

Volunteer Spotlight… Mary Heldreth

While Mary Heldreth may not be one of our longest serving GAL’s. The story of how Mary came to be a GAL is one worth sharing. Mary and her husband retired several years ago and like many retirees they wanted to travel. Having settled in Fayetteville during her husband’s military service, they decided to purchase an RV. After much consideration they found one that would meet their needs for comfort and traveling the USA. They departed Fayetteville and began the adventure over a year ago. They traveled East. Their first excursion was to Onslow Beach. This also turned out to be their longest. While RVing at Onslow Beach, Mary’s husband was approached about overseeing the RV park/beach. They both loved Onslow Beach so he said yes. That was over a year ago and they are still living at Onslow Beach, still in the RV. Mary, having a strong sense of community and wanting to make a contribution herself, became aware of the GAL program in January 2009, and she was sworn in February 2, 2009. Mary has one case now with a teen mother. Mary’s husband recently joined us for lunch and shared with us a sincere appreciation to all GAL’s for their contributions and shared how liberating it was to be rid of all the “stuff” associated with homeownership. We don’t know how long Mary will be with us before the travel bug hits again, but we thank Mary for stopping by.

Volunteer Spotlight… Michelle Silvester and Jerusha Harris

Michelle Silvester was recognized for the Outstanding Service Award in April 2009. Jerusha Harris was recognized for the Outstanding Service Award in May 2009. Michelle and Jerusha were both sworn in as GAL Volunteers in August 2008. They have each taken on very difficult cases, and have developed exceptional investigative skills over the course of their cases. They have experience frustration with the court system in its slow response, and have not always gotten what they recommended. They have always been prepared and they have been strong advocates for their child clients.

Volunteer Spotlight… Kezia Waterland

Kezia Waterland was sworn in February 2009 with the 4^th Judicial District Guardian ad Litem Program. Her first case involves a family with three children. Kezia has gone above and beyond in advocating for the children. One of the children is placed out of state and Kezia has conducted an extensive investigation surrounding the case. She has been proactive in finding resources to ensure that each child’s needs are met. We want to extend our gratitude for the countless hours of her time spent in advocating for the best interest of these children.

Volunteer Spotlight… Pam High

Since she became a volunteer in January of 2008, Pam High has been appointed to represent 11 children. Pam has collaborated very well with DSS Social Workers; some even specifically request to work with her on their cases. With diligence and determination, Pam has attended numerous meetings and visitations for her cases. She also seeks out ways to recruit new volunteers, which is especially helpful in Sampson County, where there are not enough volunteers. Thanks, Pam, for all you do.

Volunteer Spotlight…Elizabeth White & Deborah Newkirk

Elizabeth White from Onslow County (pictured on the left) and Deborah Newkirk from Duplin County (pictured on the right) were selected for the Outstanding Service Award, for the month of February. They each received a certificate signed by Jane Volland, Administrator for the NC GAL Program, and were treated to lunch. The staff in the Fourth Judicial District plan to select two volunteers each month that have demonstrated outstanding service to receive this award. Many aspects of GAL volunteer work are looked at such as length of service, the number of cases carried, the difficulty of the case, and the spirit that the volunteer brings to the program. We have so many dedicated volunteers that it is difficult to select only two volunteers each month to receive this award, and we are always looking at other ways of recognizing our volunteers for the service they provide to the children of the 4^th Judicial District.

Dot Spencer

For the second consecutive year, a Judicial District 4 GAL volunteer has been recognized as a North Carolina Outstanding Volunteer. Dot Spencer was recently honored with a Governor’s Certificate for Outstanding Volunteer Work. Mrs. Spencer has been a GAL volunteer for over 12 years, most of it in Pender County. She came into Onslow County’s fold in January, 2005 where she has represented 43 children in 13 cases. Dot’s nomination for this prestigious award featured her 18 month advocacy for a child where the family was accused of “shaken baby” syndrome. Dot was convinced otherwise and courageously persisted in her dissent against all other agencies in the case. Finally, the Judge dismissed the case, citing Dot’s testimony as “the lone instance of clear, convincing and cogent evidence that no abuse occurred.” While remaining true to the Guardian ad Litem’s guiding principle of “the best interests of the child,” Dot was the key element in sparing this family the stigma of “child abuser.”

Well done, Dot!

Volunteer Spotlight…Anna Marrible

One of our most active and long serving volunteers, Anna Marrible, will celebrate her 5th anniversary as a GAL on September 22, this year. In that time Anna has represented 36 children in 14 cases. She is currently carrying 3 cases involving 8 children. Most of those cases have been in Jones County, a tremendous help, as we traditionally have the fewest volunteers there. Anna is also active in the Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Association as the current treasurer and is a certified volunteer recruiter.

Anna does all this while leading a very active business life, running a cleaning service, a tax preparation business, teaches piano, and is active in her church in her spare time.

We regret to report, however, that all these endeavors are on hold while she recovers from a recent stroke. She is recovering fairly well with her speech and mobility back to near normal, but is still experiencing numbness on one side and is under doctors’ care while they investigate the cause of her illness. We send out our thoughts and prayers and wish her the very best.

Volunteer spotlight - Charlie Steinbraker

When Charlie Steinbraker learned his case would be in court while he was vacationing with his grandchildren in Pennsylvania, he cut his trip short so that he could be at the hearing. His wife understood- she’s a volunteer too. Charlie had gotten a call saying his mother was ill, as well. Still, he was there in court for those children. Not to mention, Charlie has traveled across two counties to visit these children and has even visited their mother in jail. Charlie has pushed DSS to make more than “reasonable efforts” in his case, and he has set a good example of what being a catalyst for change can do.

Volunteer Spotlight…Thad Toomer

We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our volunteer training team… Thad Toomer. Thad became a volunteer in 2007, and has already taken on several cases. He is currently working on a case with staff having 9 children, and another three on his own. Thad took the Training for Facilitators workshop in April, and we are thrilled to have his experience as a former teacher in our volunteer training. Thad is one of several fantastic Duplin County volunteers who have been taking cases in Sampson County to make up for a shortage in volunteers.