Jefferson Award Winners Selected

VIERA, FL--Brevard Commission on Aging volunteer Ron Morgan and the Brevard 4-H Horse Advisory have been selected to receive Jefferson Awards for Public Service on behalf of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners.

Morgan, a Merritt Island resident, is what the Brevard Commission on Aging calls “a true volunteer-pioneer, giving freely of his time, energy and donations to his community.” He serves on the BCOA Board and has been instrumental in establishing, promoting or leading several countywide projects impacting children and seniors, including the Communities for a Lifetime initiative, the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged project.

The Communities for a Lifetime initiative’s goal is to help children grow and prosper and provide seniors an opportunity to remain independent in their communities. The Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged project works to improve non-emergency transportation services for Medicaid clients.

In addition, Morgan assisted in writing and producing a video on elder abuse, which is televised on Space Coast Government Television and has been distributed as a valuable resource guide.

The Brevard 4-H Horse Advisory is the governing board for the 4-H horse clubs within Brevard County, which has one of the largest 4-H horse programs in the state. By changing the focus to education, the 147 youth enrolled in eight horse clubs benefit from activities such as horse shows, clinics, youth development, educational activities and essay contests. The Board raised more than $5,000 to help fund its various programs and scholarships.

The prestigious Jefferson Awards program was founded by the American Institute of Public Service in 1972 to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service. Each year in Washington, DC, the Jefferson Awards are presented to four nationally recognized individuals and five local “Unsung Heroes.” One winner from each media market is honored as part of these national ceremonies.

On the local level, Jefferson Award recipients are ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition or reward. Criteria for selection by Brevard County include volunteer activity, community impact, involvement, and initiative.

Morgan and the Brevard 4-H Horse Advisory received their awards at the May 6 Board of County Commissioners meeting.

4h-horse photo caption: Barbara Nagle, president of the Brevard 4-H Horse Advisory, flanked by 4-H agent Vanessa Spero (on left) and Brevard County Volunteer & Intern Coordinator Paulette Davidson (on right), accepted the Jefferson Award for Public Service on behalf of the 4-H Horse Advisory.

Morgan photo caption: Volunteer Ron Morgan, pictured with Brevard County Volunteer & Intern Coordinator Paulette Davidson, received a Jefferson Award for Public Service.