Second Harvest Food Bank Announces Volunteer of the Year
Second Harvest Releases 2021 Volunteer Impact Report and Initiates New Volunteer Hall of Fame Members
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Second Harvest of the Big Bend food bank held their annual “Power of One” volunteer appreciation event on April 22, and presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Derek Contreras.
Contreras began volunteering with Second Harvest in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic—a critical need time with the food bank. To date, he has participated in almost 250 volunteer events, amassing 630 hours of service time.
“Derek came on board when we had such great need for new volunteers, and now he is a fixture around the warehouse, volunteering multiple times each week,” said Shari Hubbard, Second Harvest’s director of communications. “He is thoughtful, kind and personable, with natural leadership skills, and has become a mentor for many of our new volunteers. We are so fortunate to have his support.”
Second Harvest volunteer Olivia Jordan was presented with the “Jeanette Deatherage Distinguished Volunteer Service Award.”
“Olivia is so deserving of this award for the way she volunteers with such a passionate heart for our mission,” said Libby Simmons, volunteer coordinator with Second Harvest. “During the last year of getting to know Olivia, she has redefined my idea of the importance of volunteering. She serves with a selfless heart and takes pride in and ownership of her volunteer work.”
Second Harvest also announced 22 new inductees into the food bank Volunteer Hall of Fame, which recognizes volunteers at six service levels.
Four volunteers were inducted at the Pinnacle Level, with 500-999 volunteer service hours:
- Kelly Windsor
- Derek Contreras
- Charlotte Hicks
- Bob Piccard
Eighteen volunteers were inducted at the Leadership Level, with 200-499 volunteer service hours:
- Harriet Epstein
- Jim Boylan
- Olivia Jordan
- Shantasia Pack
- Laura Rivera
- Shannon Russell
- Ann Brattain
- Fred Markham
- Donald Harazin
- Justin Smith
- Lori Holcomb
- Daniel Perry
- Joemir Morales
- Raymond Daigneault
- Matthew Dixon
- Larry Montgomery
- Jim Wolf
- Kelby Smith
“We wish to acknowledge, with sincere gratitude and deep appreciation, the many contributions our volunteers have made to Second Harvest,” said Simmons. “Our ability to provide nutritious food for our neighbors in need relies heavily on volunteer support, and our volunteers are part of the Second Harvest family.”
In conjunction with National Volunteer Week, Second Harvest released a Volunteer Impact Report, which can be viewed here: 2021 Volunteer Impact Report
Volunteer activities at Second Harvest include sorting, packing and distributing food; event support; gardening; office support and more. To join others in Tallahassee who have made a commitment to make a difference:
- Contact Second Harvest to create a volunteer account and participate in a volunteer session with your family, friends or co-workers.
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