VISTA Members Earn President’s Volunteer Service Awards

Members recognized for up to 7,000 service hours provided to Mississippi communities

by Erin Garrett

OXFORD, Miss. – The Grisham-McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement at the University of Mississippi recognized nine individuals with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement at their annual VISTA celebration banquet on July 11.

The prestigious award honors those who have completed at least 4,000 hours of community or national service in their lifetime. This is the first year that the Grisham-McLean Institute has been a certifying organization for the program.

“This recognition from the president of the United States not only celebrates the dedication of these individuals but also highlights the significant impact of the North Mississippi VISTA Project in combating poverty and promoting community engagement across the region,” said Albert Nylander, director of the institute.

The VISTA Project, a key initiative of the Grisham-McLean Institute, places volunteers across 11 counties in north Mississippi to combat poverty in AmeriCorps focus areas such as education, economic opportunity, and healthy futures. These volunteers dedicate at least one year to full-time national service while living in the communities they serve.

The nine recipients, both current and past members, have each served two to five years with AmeriCorps VISTA. They were presented with a certificate signed by the president, a Presidential Lifetime Achievement coin and a proclamation detailing their dedication to service, among other items.

Racine M. Elliott said it was an honor and “overwhelming” to be recognized with the award.

Every Friday, Elliott spearheads volunteer efforts to deliver supplemental meals to food insecure students at Holly Springs Primary and Holly Springs Intermediate School and facilitates the distribution of food, diapers and personal items throughout the community. She has also partnered with Care Now Pantry and Sacred Heart Southern Missions to fight food insecurity among families.

“The project has adapted to meet the community’s needs while staying safe, secure and strong, thanks to the community and its volunteers,” she said. “My aim is to improve food initiatives and create various fundraising strategies to support the school and our community, marking my four-year journey with the North Mississippi VISTA Project.

“I cherish the interactions with fellow VISTA members. Serving the Holly Springs and Marshall County communities in food security and beyond fills me with immense pride.”

Award recipient Stephen K. Bennett served for five years at the Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany, where he now works as a full-time staff member.

“The most meaningful part of being a VISTA member was the people who were impacted by our programming at Union County Heritage Museum,” he said. “Seeing kids and parents light up when they visit the museum and walk away with knowledge and skills and moments of interaction with others in the community are very satisfying to me.”

For two years, award winner Jan Vidal has served the University of Mississippi at DeSoto Center-Southaven, where she has partnered with the DeSoto County Dream Center and Heartland Hands Food Pantry.

“VISTA gave me the platform to be more involved, visible and viable in and around the Northwest Mississippi Community College and University of Mississippi-DeSoto campus communities,” she said. “The most meaningful part of the work that I have done as part of the program is my collaboration with Heartland Hands Food Pantry. Twice weekly, I witness firsthand the investment of volunteers as they help serve emergency food supply to residents in North Mississippi.

“With Heartland Hands’ unwavering support and donations, I have revamped the DeSoto Center’s food pantry, donated to and spearheaded various campus and community-based activities.”

Award recipient Jacee Annamarie Palmer supports some 20 program members as a VISTA leader. She credits the program with helping her solidify her career plans.

“I really wasn’t aware of how many options there are to work in community engagement efforts professionally in Mississippi before serving with the North Mississippi VISTA Project,” she said. “It feels great to be recognized for doing the work I’m genuinely passionate about.

“VISTA members do a lot of behind-the-scenes work that is not always recognized, so being a part of an organization that goes above and beyond to recognize our efforts means a great deal to me.”

Other recipients are Ryal Wilson, Franchessica S. Hankins-Solomon, Susan VanFleet, Adriana N. Cooper and Virginia Dorris.