WHITE PLAINS — Volunteers who spent a total of 11,126 hours making a positive impact on their community were honored Tuesday night at the Surry County Extension and Community Association’s 73rd annual Achievement Program at Piney Grove Baptist Church.

The volunteers honored are all members of community organizations such as the Busy Bees Club and the Dobson Early Birds Club.

Surry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Paul Johnson thanked the volunteers for all of their hard work.

“It’s good to be here tonight and I would just like to thank each and every one of you for all you do for your communities, what you do for Surry County and all of the fine people that live here. If it weren’t for people like you, I don’t know what our county would be like,” Johnson said.

Carmen Long, ECA liaison agent for the local Cooperative Extension, also thanked the volunteers for their hard work.

“Thank you so much for all you have done this year. That is a lot of work, you deserve a pat on the back,” said Long. “We wouldn’t be able to do all of the things we do if it weren’t for our clubs and for our club presidents.”

Long recognized each club president: Goldie Sparger, Beulah Club; Retha Quesinberry, Busy Bees; Ila Mae O’Neal, Copeland Club; Rachel Earnest, Dobson Early Birds; Linda Hunter, Good Neighbor Club; Jean Hardy, Salem Fork Club; Payge Hardy, Siloam Club; and Becky Hill, White Sulphur Springs.

Long honored Becky Hill for recording the most volunteer hours as the Outstanding Service Volunteer Award. Hill had 966 hours of volunteer work in 2009.

Lilo Comer of the Dobson Early Birds Club honored Mary Mill, Gail Shelton and Katherine Shinault for 25 years of service. Jean Hardy and Susan Johnson were both honored for 50 years of service.

Marion Venable honored the White Sulphur Springs Club for the Distinguished Project Award and Lynn Nordin with the Creative Lesson Award for her presentation on “Green Cleaning.”

Camilla Cook gave out the Second Wind Award to Cheryl Yellow Fawn Scott and Mimi Sparks.

The Outstanding Leader Award was given to Lucy Brown by Marie Poole, president of the ECA County Council.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.