Source: The Gaston Gazette
Gaston County recently had three recipients of the 2021 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards.
The Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards honor the spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service, said information provided by the office of Gov. Roy Cooper.
Any person, group or entity from the public, non-profit, or private sector may be nominated for an award in their county through the county award coordinators.
Here in Gaston County that function is served by United Way.
County award coordinators then submit their top 10 volunteer nominations to the state and awards are then given out in each of the state’s 100 counties.
Due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional awards ceremony was not held in Raleigh. Instead, the local awards were presented by Gaston County commissioners during their Sept. 14 meeting.
Leon “Lee” Stadther was nominated for the Governor’s Volunteer Award for his work with the Backpack Weekend Food Program.
Executive Director Dallas Butler reports that Lee is a selfless individual with integrity, dedication and is one who has committed his life to serving others.
Lee has served on the board of directors of the program, as treasurer since its inception in 2011.
Lee is a certified public accountant who has brought tremendous leadership, vision, and accuracy to help build and sustain the program, now more than 10 years old, Butler said.
Humble and highly astute, Lee has devoted years of his personal time and talents to help grow and establish a viable organization, alongside the board of directors, staff and volunteers, Butler said.