- March 28, 2024
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Five Ormond Beach residents were recently nominated for the United Way Volunteer Center and Bright House Networks' 27th annual Outstanding Volunteers of the Year Awards.
90-year-old Virginia Armour isn't one to waste her time.
"When you're sitting around at home and have nothing special to do," Armour said, "it's better to volunteer and help other people."
Armour started volunteering with the Salvation Army in 1998 after her husband passed away. A Salvation Army Church member since 1936, picking her cause was a no brainer.
"I've grown up with the Salvation Army and knowing what they do for other people, the way the make a difference in people's lives," Armour said. "I like to volunteer with their rehab people to try to help them to realize what they are doing is wrong and that there is a better way of life for each one of us when we open our hearts up and make the right decision."
Armour is one of five Ormond Beach residents that were recently nominated for the United Way Volunteer Center and Bright House Networks' 27th annual Outstanding Volunteers of the Year Awards.
Samuel Jones found Family Renew Community by frequently visiting their thrift shop. A volunteer for over 15 years, Jones said he genuinely enjoys the time he spends at the organization.
"I know it's worthy to help these families that are down on their luck," Jones said. "Not only that but I get bargains there at the thrift shop. It's the highlight of my week."
Ken Duval, a volunteer with Volusia Flagler PACE Center for Girls for eight years, said his main role was just to rebuild the school. But he stayed on to lend a hand to the troubled girls.
"These are young girls who have fallen through the cracks of the high school world," Duval said. "I have so many little awards from the girls, thank you types, but after I renovated the school we had a big open house. I had a big group of girls and asked if they could take a picture with me. So here I am, an old man with about fifteen beautiful girls surrounding me. It's a very rare opportunity. That picture hangs in my family room today."
This is his third time being nominated for the award.
"I consider the award to be a very great honor," Duval said. "I know there are a lot of the other volunteers that are just as worthy."
The other two Ormond Beach nominees Erin Overbey from the Council on Aging and Marlene Doukas with the Volusia Literacy Council could not be reached for comment.
The award ceremony luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m., April 24 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.