A Warren County woman has made history by becoming the first person to receive the honor of being selected for both the American Volunteer of the Year and the Exchangite of the Year for the state of Tennessee at the 93rd Tennessee District Exchange Club Convention.
Neva England, who was elected the Tennessee District Exchange Club President-Elect and has served for the past year, received the two awards, as well as the District Pin award during this year’s convention held at Pigeon Forge during the weekend of May 17-19.
The Tennessee District Exchange Club covers all of the regions of Tennessee, Kentucky and parts of Arkansas.
England will become the Tennessee District Exchange Club president at the beginning of July.
Many awards are given out during the convention, but two of the most important awards are the Volunteer of the Year and Exchangite of the Year.
“I was very surprised and honored, but I did work very hard to receive these awards. It felt good to be acknowledged for my hard work. It’s a great club, and everyone makes the club what it is, not just me,” said England.
Volunteer of the Year is given to a person, regardless of if they are an Exchange Club member or not, who has spent the most time, effort, energy and resources into volunteering in their community.
“Receiving the Volunteer of the Year is a real honor because it’s given to someone who has gone over the top in terms of volunteering,” said Ken Roberts, former national and Tennessee District Exchange Club president. “For her to be selected, not only from our area but selected for the whole Tennessee district, including all of Tennessee, Kentucky and parts of Arkansas, is a really big deal.”
Exchangite of the Year goes to the member who has been exemplary in their activities, supporting the club and being involved in projects and programs. England was selected last year as the local Exchangite of the Year.
This is the first time the Exchangite of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards have been given to the same person by two separate groups of committees.
“It really was a special deal since it’s an honor to receive either award, but especially since this is the first time the same person has received both,” said Roberts.
