The Shadow
Dependable. Compassionate. Caring.
These are just a few of the attributes of this year’s Total Action Against Poverty Heart Award recipient Raymond Hunter.
Raymond was presented the award Saturday evening during the 12th annual TAP Heart Award dinner, held in the St. John’s Social Hall at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church in Covington.
He was nominated by his wife, Macelia, who submitted her husband’s name for consideration in a letter sent to the TAP board.
“He is a dependable, compassionate and caring person,” Macelia said in her letter. “He shares his talents whenever he can, doing it with a smile and never saying no. He is an individual who is available to everyone, day or night, no matter what the need. He has been adopted by the ladies of the church because he is dependable and when asked he fulfills the request.”
An avid cook, Hunter is a deacon and trustee at Pine Street Baptist Church.
He not only cooks for the church but he also cooks for any organization that may need his help.
He helped feed shut-ins at Christmas and is now helping prepare meals for The Salvation Army.
Raymond also helps others by driving them wherever they need to go.
“He will drive anyone anywhere at any time if there is a need, and he makes this known,” Macelia said.
Due to illness, Raymond is no longer able to do some of the activities he used to do. Since he can’t stand for long periods of time, he does his work sitting down.
“Prior to his illness, he was a jack-of-all trades, fixing whatever was broken, mowing lawns, etc., accepting no payment,” Macelia said in her letter to the TAP board. “There are some things he is no longer able to do, but if called upon, he will get someone to take care of whatever it is.”
Nadine Horton echoed Macelia’s sentiments in a letter that was also sent to TAP.
“His illness does not stop him from doing anything that is needed in the church, in the community or for someone. He is a wonderful cook and even through his sickness, he continues to prepare meals for the church and any organization that may need his help and he does it by sitting down to cook.”
Horton continued, “Sickness is not stopping him. He said that he will fight as long as he is able and will continue to be of service to everyone.”
Macelia summed up her husband this way, “He truly has a heart of gold. He loves his church and church family and, above all, he loves God and he expresses that in his everyday living.”
Memorial Tributes
Two longtime supporters of TAP – Sarah Bostic Young and Elder Warner Hunter - were remembered during Saturday’s dinner.
Young was instrumental in bringing TAP to the Alleghany Highlands.
A past board chairperson, Young was a part of TAP from 1983 until her death in January. At the time of her death, Young was serving on the board.
She helped secure TAP’s current facility on Lexington Avenue and it was named in her honor.
In addition to TAP, Young was an active member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, Alleghany Highlands Habitat for Humanity and many other organizations.
She was also instrumental in establishing an Alzheimer’s Disease support group in the Alleghany Highlands.
TAP board Chairperson Martha Nicholson presented a plaque that will hang in the TAP offices honoring Young for her many years of service.
Young’s daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Wayne Perkins, along with her grandson Ben Perkins, represented Young’s family.
Hunter was not only an active supporter of TAP, but was also an active supporter of many other community organizations and committees.
He was pastor of Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ until his death last August.
Accepting a plaque in Hunter’s memory were his daughter, Wanda Hunter Moore, and her husband Elder Pete Moore, who succeeded his father-in-law as pastor of Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. Moore also served as the keynote speaker for Saturday’s dinner.
Honored For Service
Three TAP volunteers were honored for their years of service – Lawrence and Ann St. Clair and Doris Hayes.
Lawrence was honored for his service as a volunteer for the Virginia Cares program, which gives assistance to pre-released and post-incarcerated offenders.
Ann gives computer assistance to those who come through TAP.
Covington Mayor Stephanie Clark wrote a letter to TAP praising Hayes for her work with TAP and her work with individuals throughout the Alleghany Highlands.
“When I think of Doris Hayes, I think of love outpouring and I think of her beautiful smile and the sound of her laughter and her friendly ways,” Clark said in her letter. “When I think of Mrs. Hayes, I think of love. She loves anyone who walks through the TAP doors and she surrounds them with love and holds on to them until that person’s full potential has come out of them.
“She is so kind to people. She loves the teenagers – they are the love of her life. She has had many to pass through her GED program. She works with the public no matter what kind of day they are having. She’s always there to support them.”
All three had been nominated for the Heart Award, but due to the fact that they were on the TAP staff, they were ineligible to win.
Linda Cook was the master of ceremonies for the evening.
Giving a welcome before dinner was James “Cheeze” Smith, who was awarded the TAP Heart Award in 2009.
Music throughout the evening was provided by Joe Sorrells.
Members of the local TAP Board of Commissioners are Martha Nicholson, chairperson; Linda Cook, vice-chairperson; Carolyn Barnette, the Rev. Roger Bush, Wanda Davis, Maria Ellis, Ruth Middleton, Pat Ross, Earl Reynolds and Bonnie Quarles.
