Franklin County Cooperative Extension Director Charles Mitchell announced the 2026 Governor's Volunteer Service Award winners at the May 4, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting.

Joni McPhetridge, representing Sowing Seeds, has transformed a modest backyard distribution project into a massive community lifeline. In 2025 alone, her efforts reached over 36,000 people. Recognizing that many neighbors lack transportation to healthy food, Joni launched a mobile food pantry to bring nutrition directly into underserved neighborhoods. Her influence stretches beyond county lines, as she coordinates a vast volunteer network to assist families displaced by natural disasters and supports the homeless population in Raleigh.  

Nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Beverly Kegley is a pillar of Franklin County. As the co-founder of the Franklin County Interfaith Council (FCIC), she contributes an astonishing 2,000 volunteer hours annually. Beyond her 40-hour weekly commitment, Beverly is a master of sustainability, writing the grants that keep vital health and housing programs running. Whether she is chairing committees for affordable housing or helping establish free clinics in neighboring Warren and Nash counties, Beverly’s decades of service have left an "immeasurable" mark on the region.  

Representing the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Captain Daniel Erb is proving that leadership starts with service. A former cadet himself, Erb now commands a unit of 80 members, overseeing a program that saw nearly 9% growth in cadet membership this past year. Under his watch, young leaders are trained in STEM and aerospace education, while Erb personally leads search and rescue missions across the state. His work ensures that the community is not only inspired but also more resilient in the face of emergencies.

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