High Voltage Heroes

York Electric Cooperative, Inc. is observing its 75th birthday this year and as part of its celebration honored 75 people who have big hearts and embody the spirit of the cooperative program – people who have been High Voltage Heroes to individuals and our community. On February 25, YEC announced and honored the recipients of this community initiative and awarded each of them a cash prize.

“One of YEC’s core values is commitment to community and our High Voltage Heroes initiative is an appropriate way to say thank you for the selfless giving of these special community members,” says Paul Basha, YEC’s President and CEO. “York Electric has been an important part of our local community for 75 years and we are very excited to include these recognitions as part of our 75th-anniversary celebration.”

 

Nominees

1.    Tammie Anderson, nominated by Joyce Baker

• Served on YEC’s Operation Round Up Trust Board from May 2007 until August 2013
• Active member of Clover Presbyterian Church where she serves as a deacon and an elder
• Organized several mission trips to Mexico
• Volunteer for Love A Child
• Founder of Crooked Creek Farm, a 501c3 local charity that provides horseback riding lessons for children who cannot afford it.

2.    Alberta Anthony, nominated by Cameron Moore

• Retired school teacher after working for York School District #1 for 40 years
• Known as a mother, leader, and role-model to all of her past students, as well as her two sons
• Active member in Bethesda Presbyterian Church

3.    Shirley Bailey, nominated by Mack Bailey

• Past chair and current board member for the York County Free Clinic where she initiated a move to a larger facility
• Past President of the Rock Hill Kiwanis Club
• Active church member where she serves a deacon and on the servicemen and Veterans committee, honoring those who serve our country
• Facilitates a monthly Bible Study at Brookdale Chandler Place retirement home

4.    Dr. Stacy Blackmon, nominated by Teeny Hall

• Organized and formed a free dental clinic in association with the Clover Area Assistance Center, serving those who could not afford dental care for the past 11 years
• Volunteers to provide hospice patients dental care in their homes
• Provides dental care to young girls who are involved in the ***___ trade problem in Charlotte, NC

5.    Betty Bolin, nominated by Nell J. Moses

• Known as the “glue” that holds her community together, always giving back to others
• Retired primary school teacher
• Active member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church where she serves on the council of Health and Welfare
• Always starts a prayer chain for those who are ill

6.    Dana Boutwell, nominated by Lisa McCarley

• Volunteer at her children’s school
• Founder and coordinator for 30 Days for a cure to benefit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, where sales from numerous bake sales in our area are coupled with business donations, then matched by OXO raise over $70,000 to benefit childhood cancer

7.    Stephen Burkell, nominated by Melina Evans

• After becoming an Eagle Scout, he earned his way into Order of the Arrow
• Served our country as a Staff Sargent in the Marine Corps for 12 years
• Volunteer firefighter at Bethel VFD
• Serves as a Watch Dog at a local elementary school

8.    Michelle Cherikos, nominated by Alex Cherikos

• Owner and operator of Angel Eye portraits – using photography to inform, educate, and make a difference in the lives of orphans
• Organized events to bring awareness regarding orphan care to our area and internationally, including 4 trips to Haiti

9.    Jessica Cody, nominated by Sheila Cominsky

• Active member of Moped to Memphis group, raising thousands of dollars each year for St. Jude Hospital
• Hosted several fundraising events including proms, womanless pageants, and walk-a-thons
• Grant coordinator for Eat Smart Move More York County
• President for Bethany Elementary PTO

10. Scott Craton, nominated by Sally Craton

• Received “Thumbs Up” awards for finding an elderly woman in her yard who had fallen and needed assistance and for delivering a baby on Hwy 521
• Active member of his community

11. Bob Davenport, nominated by Michael Roach

• Active member of the Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department
• Helps coordinate many community and fire department fundraisers

12. Kyle Dowdall, nominated by Gary Lounsbury

• Fulltime firefighter with the Tega Cay Fire Department
• Volunteer firefighter for the Riverview Fire Department and Wesley Chapel Fire Department
• Coordinated events to teach area youth about fire safety
• Former coach for Fort Mill lacrosse youth

13. Rev. James Erle, nominated by Brenda Fair

• Pastor at Cornerstone Family Worship Center
• Instrumental in growing the church’s food pantry from helping 25 families per week to more than 145 families per week
• Helped secure the church’s food pantry to be the Benefit Bank premier site in South Carolina

14. Rebecca Christenbury, nominated by Troy Christenbury

• Purchases and donates goods to the needy
• Coordinates and hosts many fundraising events to aid in the cost of hospital bills and funeral expenses for those in need in our community

15. Cindy Downing, nominated by Barbara Stephenson

• Committee Chairman for Comporium Pioneer Club, Salvation Army board member, ITPA board member
• Past Guardian Ad Litem
• Volunteer for Come See Me events and participant in several fundraising events in our area including Light the Night and Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis

16. Gary Farris, nominated by Paula Greiner

• Past board member for Keep York County Beautiful
• Active member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
• Volunteers most of his spare time picking up litter in York County and has encouraged others to join his mission to protect our world by organizing and educating others about recycling and trash pickup events

17. Richard Fox, Jr., nominated by Lauren McSwain

• Active member and deacon of West End Baptist Church
• Volunteers his time to help others in his community and his church family, including maintaining the church grounds
• Avid hunter, sharing his meat with needy families

18. Connie F. Freeman, nominated by Ethel Sutton

• Influential community member by truly caring for people who come into her store
• Takes her time to check on others and visit with them when they do not have family

19. Anne Gilfillan, nominated by Brown Simpson, Jr.

• Active member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church including fundraising events and the United Methodist Women
• Influential volunteer for the Hickory Grove Fire Department including coordinating their Tractor Show and Cow Patty Drop fundraising events
• Current Operation Round Up board member

20. Elizabeth Diana Hammond, nominated by Timothy Childers who suffered a brain injury 7 years ago

• Mother of 6 who cares for her son, Timothy
• Travels to various military bases to support the troops, feeding them and thanking them for their service in a decorative school bus

21. Elizabeth Harris, nominated by Anthony Nichols

• Active enrolled member of the Catawba Indian Nation
• She has served on the tribal government since 2009, helping to establish a new Constitution, strategic plan for the future, a transit service, a wellness program, along with many other community events
• Serves at the Community Planner for the tribe and on the tribe’s Economic Development Board

22. Shirley Harris, nominated by Lorraine Stewart

• Retired school teacher after working for 31 years
• Current Adult Education teacher for 8 years
• York School Board member for 16 years where she was chairman for 2 years
• York Rotary Club member
• Active member of the Woodlawn Presbyterian Church where she is a Circle Leader, Sunday school teacher, President of the Women of the Church, served as an elder for the church, and is currently the moderator of the Presbyterian Women of Providence Presbytery

23. Patti Imler, nominated by JillMarie Eaton

• Plays Santa for families in need during Christmas, purchasing gifts for children
• Delivers firewood and pays utility bills for families in need during winter months
• Organizes various fundraising events to feed the hungry, provide for funeral expenses for families in need, care for the elderly in our area, and provide funding for the Burned Children’s fund of South Carolina

24. Ruth Jackson, nominated by Danielle Childers

• Influential caregiver to many during her years as a floor secretary for York General Hospital, followed by Piedmont Medical Center
• Volunteer at Hope House of Rock Hill
• Active longtime member of Catawba Baptist Church where she is a circle member and mentor to many

25. Butch Jamieson, nominated by Megan McMahan

• Delivers meals to homebound neighbors and donates food to those in need in our area
• Donated large items such as air conditioners, phones and cars to those in need
• Contributed a large selection of toys to the Children’s Attention Home this Christmas

26. Mary Jones, nominated by Akilah Jones

• Registered nurse who works in home care
• Took in a homeless teen, successfully offering her a nurturing environment and pushing her to continue her education
• Local school volunteer

27. Caroline Krueger, nominated by Donna Murray

• Active member of Oakland Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir
• Past volunteer Sunday school teacher at a local nursing home
• Coordinator of the Oakland Ministry Center, Clothing Side
• Rock Hill High School landscape volunteer and retired English teacher

28. David Lawrence, nominated by Kristin Lawrence

• Worked as an economic developer for our area for 20 years
• His work has helped provide jobs to many in York County and revitalize Rock Hill’s downtown area including Fountain Park, Knowledge Park, and the restoration of many historic buildings

29. Douglas Little, Jr., nominated by Sharon Hartsoe

• Makes charitable donates to the following: American Cancer Society, Upper Palmetto YMCA, York Police Department, York School District One, and York Comprehensive High School
• Provides books for elementary schools in York School District One
• Board member of First Citizens Bank and YMCA
• Police officer for 15 years and currently serves as an officer reserve for the York City Police
• Donates Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts to families in need

30. Albert Lopez, nominated by Ann Faulk and Tina Laws

• Collects payments from community members to cover utility bills for his 94-year-old landlord
• Donates funds himself to help cover any bills that are unpaid in his neighborhood

31. Mark McCarter, nominated by Daniel Cox

• 4-H leader in the community, including many volunteer hours to teach underprivileged children about horses
• Officer with the York County Sheriff’s Department

32. Grady Meeks, Jr., nominated by Jerilyne Meeks

• Disabled veteran, serving 3 years and 9 months in the Air Force including tours in Vietnam and Southeast Asia
• Upon his honorable discharge in 1970 due to extensive injuries and after his retirement from 40 years in manufacturing, he has helped other veterans receive over $8 million dollars in benefits since 2005

33. Patti Mercer, nominated by Lisa McCarley

• Volunteer coordinator for the SC Strawberry Festival pageant resulting in thousands of dollars being donated to various charitable organizations throughout our community
• Promotes leadership and provides a good example for those who work with her, especially to young girls
• Volunteer judge for Fort Mill’s annual Dancing with the Stars

34. John Merical, nominated by Nina Merical

• Devoted his time and talents to build a bedroom, kitchen, bath, and laundry area for a family in need living 6 hours away by utilizing his personal vacation time from work and long weekends away from his family
• Active member of his church, serving as a deacon, Vacation Bible School leader, Baptist Men Leader, and Aging Ministry committee where he builds ramps for the elderly

35. Frances Moore, nominated by Joyce Hudson

• Secretary at College Park Baptist church
• Wife, mother, and grandmother of 9
• Caretaker for her 84-year-old mother who is in the last stages of dementia
• Visitor of community members who are sick, in need, and who are lonely

36. Donald Murfin, nominated by Linda Murfin

• Founder of The Community Café, a 501c3 nonprofit that provides free meals to the less fortunate
• Coordinates the fundraising, donations, volunteers, and meals to make the nonprofit run smoothly
• Recipient of the AARP SC Roger Jermyn Community Service Award

37. Lauren Opitz, nominated by Theresa Opitz

• 12th grade student
• Past assistant coach for “Girls on the Run”
• Volunteer for preschoolers at a local private school
• Promotes good self-esteem to other kids in an effort to counteract the negativity she experienced from being bullied in school at a young age

38. Rev. Jeffrey Park, nominated by Dianna Park

• Founder and director of the Learning Help Centers of Charlotte, placing chaplains in low income, immigrant/refugee majority apartment complexes and provides free after school tutoring, sports programs, summer camps, and family stabilization to keep kids in school
• Active member for Forest Hill Church FM where he leads small groups and is an Elder in the congregation
• Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Riverview Elementary, and JAARS ministry center

39. Dr. Vina Pesaru, nominated by Toni Burke

• Excellent care for patients with dementia and Alzheimers
• Educates our community regarding these diseases and hosts monthly support meetings for family members and friends of the patients
• Personally involves herself in every aspect of her patients, including background checks for each caregiver to insure her patients receive the best
• Works with Hospice to provide end of life care
• Organized community fundraisers to raise awareness about the growing problem of these diseases and to raise money for the research and treatments of these diseases

40. Roger Phillips, nominated by Pat Phillips

• Reserve deputy for Lancaster County Sheriff’s office for 17 years
• Helped organize and plan events for the community to insure safety was a priority

41. Scott Phillips, nominated by Lisa Phillips

• Volunteer Adopt-A-Pilot Ambassador for local schools representing his employer, Southwest Airlines
• Den Leader for Boy Scout Pack 832 and Coordinator for Boy Scout Troop 832, STEM Mentor for Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America, helped 8 scouts earn their Supernova Award
• Organized the Polar Plunge at the Upper Palmetto YMCA
• Board member for the Fort Mill YMCA and the Baxter Barracudas

42. Scott Prophet, nominated by Alok Singh

• Extraordinary neighbor and family man
• Volunteer handyman to those in need in his community
• Offered help to a neighbor whose husband was diagnosed with ALS by completing tasks around her house and maintaining her lawn

43. Melvin Propst, Jr., nominated by Susan Smith

• Caretaker of the elderly, widows, neighbors and friends in our community
• Donates money, time, food, and clothes to those in need including large baskets of fruit to needy families during Christmas

44. Michael Radl, nominated by Raymond Howard

• Collects and distributes baked items to the needy around York County including Pilgrim’s Inn and Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen
• Active member of Knights of Columbus on the local and state level

45. Floyd Robinson (deceased), nominated by Fred Durston

• Charter member of the Tega Cay Volunteer Fire Department where he served for 42 years
• Until his death, he was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Mil
• Collects and recycles aluminum cans from local restaurants for money which he donated to the SC Children’s Burn Center

46. Oscar Sadler, nominated by Tommie Bratton

• Longtime member of York Electric’s Board of Trustees where his leadership, sound judgement and wise counsel helped the Cooperative give back and serve our community to the best of our abilities
• Active member of Bullocks Creek Presbyterian Church where he serves as an elder

47. Dr. Winslow Schock, nominated by Rev. Michael Poore

• Founder and CEO of Cheer for Children, a 501c3 charity helping children
• Advocate for literacy for children
• Rock Hill Community Relations Council board member and Clinton College Board of Trustees

48. Michael Scoggins, nominated by Bryan McDougald

• York County historian
• Southern Revolutionary War Institute director
• Author/co-author of 12 boos on local and regional history for York County
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service operator
• Carolinas Historic Aviation Museum volunteer
• Active member of Armenia United Methodist Church including choir member, Sunday school teacher, trustee, and the cemetery association
• Volunteer and executive committee for Boy Scout Troop #66

49. Judy Smith, nominated by Anne Wilson

• Volunteer for the Fort Mill Care Center, working to connect those that are fortunate with those in need
• Coordinates Christmas gifts for families in need in the Fort Mill area, often donating gifts herself when they have not been supplied by others in the community

50. Jay Stackley, nominated by Johanna Sipe

• Active and dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in York where he serves as a deacon
• Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity where he recently traveled to Romania to build homes, along with several other mission trips around the United States and abroad
• Retired electrical engineer, father to 4, grandfather to 7, and great-grandfather to 3.
• Vietnam Army Veteran

51. James Tims, nominated by Susanna Lee

• Respected and dedicated neighbor to his community where he currently lives and grew up
• Always willing to lend a helping hand or ear to those in need in our community
• 40 Year Veteran
• Active member of his church where he has served as the chairman of the deacon board for 25 years and as a deacon for 40 years

52. Brian Trail, Sr., nominated by Brian Trail, II

• City of York Policeman for 27 years
• Awarded hometown hero because of his willingness to serve and his humility
• Giving and loyal to the members of his community

53. Totty Wilkerson, nominated by Ann Spencer

• Leader of a team who prepares weekly meals at Dorothy Day Soup kitchen for more than twelve years
• Conducts a weekly Bible study for women in prison at Moss Justice
• Upon release from prison these women, with whom she has lead the study, often call on her for help.  She picks them up and finds them a place to stay
• Volunteer for the Haven Men’s Shelter, Historic Brattonsville, and Museum of York County
• Board member for the following: Haven Men’s Shelter (past), YMCA, Glencairn Gardens, Come See Me (awarded volunteer of the year award), Family Promise, and was the past commissioner for the Culture and Heritage Board

54. Troy Williams, nominated by Allen Thomas

•  Volunteer dog walker for elderly community members and those who have fallen ill
• Handyman for those in need in his community who are unable to complete the tasks themselves

55. Kierra Landrum, nominated by Samantha Niemeyer

• Working to complete her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Winthrop University and plans to pursue her Psy.D. in Clinical Counseling next fall
• Volunteer working with Autism Spectrum Disorder, “Girls on the Run” Piedmont Medical Center and York County Board of Disabilities
•  Presented a leadership workshop at the 2015 Emerging Leaders Education Conference

56. Ronnie Aiton, Sr., nominated by Nicole Shackelford

• Volunteer for Area Eleven Special Olympics
• Founded and funded “Kids for Jesus Bus Ministry” in our community which picks up kids and adults in the Rock Hill area to attend church who would otherwise not have transportation to attend
• Took a group of children and a bus load of bottled water to Columbia to help during the flood

57. Jules Cagle, nominated by Carson Taylor

• Member of the Extended Biker Sisters
• Completed fundraising campaigns for the following: fundal expenses, “Krusade for Kelsey” – a campaign to help with medical expenses for brain cancer treatment, Seniors Need Santa, SC flood victims (and their pets), Safe Passage, Toys for Tots

58. Dale Dove, nominated by Frances Mabry

• Founder of Renew Our Community, Inc. (ROC), a 501c3 charitable organization founded in 2012 helping those in need in our area
• He works to gather volunteers and make connections throughout the community to help the homeless, provide job education, and meals when necessary
• Awarded the Congressional Angel of Adoptions Award, he is a local adoption attorney in Rock Hill

59. Rev. Dr. Ron King, nominated by Marc Howie

• Founded his “Feed the Hungry Ministry” over 35 years ago
• Has helped to feed and clothe thousands of homeless over the years

60. Jesse Miskelly, nominated by Tracy Miskelly

• 4th year teacher of agriculture at Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center
• Organizes fundraisers to help those that are less fortunate travel with the class to learn about the importance of the agriculture industry
• Board member for the local soil and water conservation board and nominee for the State Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher committee
• Active member of Philadelphia United Methodist Church
• Received the “Teacher Turn the Key” award

61. Dr. Wendy Schonfeld, nominated by Dr. Michael Schonfeld, Paulette Warmoth and Natalie Branham

• Founder of RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center, a 501c3 organization using horses for therapy
• This center helps patients gain muscle control, trust, and to have fun despite any disabilities they may have
• The center focuses on patients with autism, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, multiple scleroses, brain injuries, and more
• Dr. Schonfeld works tirelessly along with her staff of 40 volunteers and 9 specially trained horses to provide the best services to her patients so that they can maximize their abilities

62. Babette Sabia, nominated by Tracy Little

• Member of the Indian Land Rotary Club, serving for many years and helping to secure thousands of dollars to be redistributed to our local schools and libraries
• Volunteer for United Way and Indian Land Fall Festival

63. Elouise McCree, nominated by Rick Jiran

• 25-year volunteer with the 4H program in Chester
• Her work with the 4H includes organizing the Annual Big Fish Tournament and leading youth in baking pies for those in need on Thanksgiving
• Partnering with the Red Cross Disaster Manager, she led their comfort kit program in the Chester area 3 years, taking in over 500 kits each year

64. Ainslee Moss, nominated by Wendi Chambers

• Founder and president of Tender Hearts Ministries of York, a place for women and their children to find refuge

65. Lizabeth Swayne, nominated by Paul Basha

• Volunteers 30 or more hours per week to care for women and couples who are struggling to make wise choices or who simply need good Christian advice
• She primarily focuses on single women trying to better themselves
• She meets with a group weekly to help guide them, speaks to several over the phone, and meets with up to 5 individuals on a given week

66. Ricky Teal, nominated by April and Dale Miller

• Invites families and people with special needs to come to his home to worship
• Mr. Teal calls this location Sparrow Ranch and funds the service through private donations and his own money
• His goal is to create a place where everyone feels welcomed despite any obstacles they may have in their daily lives because of their disabilities

67. Robert O. Williams, nominated by Bethany Hardin

• Past president and CEO of York Electric, his guidance was instrumental in growing our cooperative and supporting the community
• Dedicated to our area and making it better, he helped to grow our membership from 5089 members in late 1960 to 32208 in 2003 upon his retirement

68. Mitchell Truesdale, nominated by Roy Dunlap

• American Red Cross Disaster Volunteer, helping with 7 national disasters
• Volunteer at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Canton, NC
• Retired Air Force veteran serving for 20 years including tours in Iraq, Vietnam and the Cuban Crisis
• Volunteers his time to maintain mountain trails around Asheville, NC including the Appalachian Trail
• Servers on the Administrative Council at Antioch United Methodist Church

69. Ronnie Hogue, nominated by John and Jan Myers

• Volunteer at PATH
• Cans food to give away to the needy
• Visits shut-ins in their homes, hospital rooms, and nursing homes
• Member of the Sharon ARP Church, serving as an Elder

70. Dr. George Hook, nominated by Richard Roach

• 34-year member of Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, serving as the moderator on the board of deacons, elder, and chairman of the planning and development committee
• Volunteer at ROC dental clinic
• Completed several dental mission trips including Honduras and Guatemala
• Board member and chairman of speech and hearing center

71. Minor O. Gaskins, nominated by Richard Roach

• Worked with Rev. Dr. Ron King on his “Feed the Hungry Ministry” for 28 years
• Distributed his book “Buttons” to children who could not afford it
• Financially supported the Edgemoor Auction Barn to distribute over 1000 bicycles throughout York and Chester Counties for Christmas each year

72. Clayburn Barnette, nominated by Ragin Craig

• Active member of the Bethesda community for more than 60 years
• Active member of his church
• Serves as a magistrate judge and volunteers with the Bethesda Fire Department

73. Wayne Herndon, nominated by Ragin Craig

• Active church member, including missionary work
• Volunteer with the Bethesda Fire Department
• Always first on the scene, even at the age of 80, when disaster strikes

74. Elaine T. Baker, nominated by Michael G. Baker

• Retired school teacher and administrator, serving the Rock Hill school district for 49 years
• Named the Home Town Hero by CN2 News
• Dedicated servant to the community and to her past students, always pushing them to succeed

75. Judy Gray, nominated by Carolyn Sue Potts

• Active member of Doby’s Bridge Presbyterian and leads many events there for both adults and children
• Purchases school supplies for needy families at the beginning of each school year, but also supports them in other ways including spiritually, financially, and more

 
Related Topics:
Electric Co-op Today: High Voltage Heroes Mark Co-op’s 75th Anniversary

The Herald: York Electric Cooperative honors 75 local heroes