The 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards were presented to five individuals during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Each year, the Governor of North Carolina recognizes individuals and groups of people who have made a significant contribution to their community through their dedication to volunteer service. 

Nominations are submitted to the governor’s office for various types of volunteers (senior, youth, faith-based, family, group and business), as well as for various categories that are based upon the area of service a nominee volunteers within (animal, environmental, preservation, youth, disaster, etc.). 

Once award coordinators for the 100 counties around the state have submitted their top five volunteer nominations for their individual county, these recommendations are reviewed by the commission, and awards are given out in each of the counties.

Patricia Gale, who was nominated by Hollie Writtenberry, received a 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her work as a volunteer for Manteo Elementary School, WaterLife Thrift Store, the Dare County Special Olympics, Dare County Senior Games and My Father’s Tabernacle Kids’ Christmas Shop, as well as an assortment of church Vacation Bible Schools and other community activities.

“Patricia (Patt) is one of the most dedicated volunteers I’ve ever met,” Writtenberry shared in her North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award nomination form. “She supports so many students and individuals in Dare County. Patt volunteers with the music program at Manteo Elementary School, where I am the director. She devotes countless hours to music students working on the chorus holiday productions and the spring musical. She assists with weekly rehearsals, works backstage, procures costumes and props, and helps with songs and stage blocking. Patt is literally my right-hand woman; she sees a need and steps up without ever having to be asked. It's just how she is.” 

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Michael MacLean, who was nominated by Melissa Overton, received a 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for his volunteer service to First Flight High School Athletics and the First Flight High School Nighthawk Club (formerly the First Flight High School Booster Club).

“Michael’s volunteerism goes far beyond what is expected; he has become a constant and reliable presence supporting countless athletic programs, including football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and more,” Overton wrote in her nomination form. “He spends innumerable hours in the concession stand—ordering food, preparing and cooking meals, serving families and fans, and ensuring everything is organized and ready for each event. His commitment often requires evenings, weekends, and long stretches of time when others are enjoying the games from the stands.” 

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Grace Topping (left) and Shannon Glaser (center) present the Governor's Volunteer Service Award to R.D. (Pops) Price (right).

R.D. (Pops) Price, who was nominated for the award by Stumpy Point Volunteer Fire Department (SPVFD) President Phil York, received a 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for his volunteer service with the SPVFD.

“For more than 28 years, R.D. (Pops) Price has served the SPVFD and the Stumpy Point Village in many forms, from Fire Chief, Engineer, Training Officer, leader, recruiter, fundraiser, protector, and many more,” York wrote in his nomination form, which shared several examples of his dedication to ensuring the safety of those who reside within his community located on the Dare County mainland—as well as the service providers and local first responders who provide additional assistance to Stumpy Point when emergency situations occur in the village.    

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Becca Harich, who was nominated by Major Brandon C. Henderson with the Camden County Sheriff's Office, received a 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her work as a volunteer with Lights of Christmas, a community-based organization dedicated to ensuring that families in need experience dignity, stability, and hope during the holiday season.

“Mrs. Harich is the driving force behind Lights of Christmas, a community-based organization dedicated to ensuring that families in need—particularly those from historically marginalized populations—experience dignity, stability, and hope during the holiday season,” Major Henderson wrote in his nomination form. “Through her leadership, the organization provides thousands of donated gifts and essential support to children and families who might otherwise go without. This work reflects a significant and ongoing dedication to individuals and families facing economic hardship, social barriers, and limited access to resources.”

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Jane Bailey, a volunteer coordinator for Island Farm and the person who nominated her for the award, accepted the award on behalf of Jo Anne Mathus.

Jo Anne Mathus, who was nominated by Jane Bailey, received a 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her volunteer service to Island Farm, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located on Roanoke Island. 

“Jo Anne works closely with Island Farm’s livestock staff to care for the site’s historic and heritage breeds,” Bailey shared in her nomination form. “She tends to a flock of five sheep—three Hog Island and two Tunis–Shetland crosses—both heritage breeds vital to the farm’s historic interpretation and visitor experience. These animals serve as ambassadors for the Hog Island breed, to the history of the Mid-Atlantic states during the Antebellum period, and help connect guests to the agricultural practices of the Outer Banks’ early settlers.”

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For more detailed information about each of Dare County’s 2026 award recipients and their dedication to the community through their volunteer service, please click here.

Any individual, group or business from the public, the nonprofit sector or the private sector can be nominated for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award. If you know an individual or a group of people who have given substantial amounts of their time and talent to help others in the Dare County community, be sure to submit an application for the 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards when nominations open later this year.

For more information about the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, please contact Shannon Glaser at 252-475-5753 or Shannon.Glaser@DareNC.gov.