Serving locally

JMU's student chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters won a 2015 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award and was honored recently during an awards ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond.

'We have made an impact on our community, and we are so excited to continue to do so in the future.'

Students Margaret Prescott, chapter president; Julie McNally, vice president, and Tim Geiling; and professor Kevin Hardwick represented JMU at the ceremony. Executive Director Susan Totty and Program Director Rebeca Barge represented Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County.

"It was truly amazing to be surrounded by so many others that have a passion to serve and for our organization to be given this award," said Prescott. "Receiving recognition for all of the time that we as JMU bigs have devoted to making a difference in the lives of children in this community was an honor. This award means so much to us because it shows that we have made an impact on our community, and we are so excited to continue to do so in the future. "

Governor Terry McAuliffe cited the JMU students' "commitment and service to the Big Brothers Big Sisters in Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, that consistently serves more children annually than any other BBBS agency in Virginia."

The local BBBS organization reports providing mentoring services to 680 local children in 2014, with more than 500 JMU students contributing more than 28,000 hours of volunteer service.

The JMU organization won in the educational institution category. The annual awards were also given to adult volunteer, community organization, corporation, faith-based volunteer service, family volunteer service, senior volunteer and youth volunteer.