CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Three years ago, the historic Old Bethel United Methodist Church on Corliss Road in Fayette County sat as an abandoned eyesore to the community. Through one local woman’s vision, the little church has a new life – that of a community center.
Governor Joe Manchin will honor Laura Sevy for her work in establishing a community center in Corliss with a Governor’s Service Award on Wednesday, July 16 at the Charleston Civic Center. Sevy will receive her award at a banquet held as part of Faces of Leadership, the annual state volunteerism conference.
Presented annually since 1995, the Governor’s Service Awards honors youth, young adults, adults, seniors, families, organizations and businesses who exemplify outstanding dedication to volunteerism and community service in West Virginia. Sevy will receive her award in the senior category.
In 2005, with a vision of a community center for the rural town of Corliss, Sevy approached the Trustees of the United Methodist Association about purchasing the abandoned Old Bethel United Methodist Church. After nearly 2 years of deliberation, the Association allowed the church to be purchased for the cost of the deed transfer. Sevy has since rallied the community around the idea of a community center while raising funds to renovate the building.
Through Sevy’s dedication, the Fayette County Commission gave $2,500 of the $7,500 needed to replace the roof on the building. Church pews are being sold for the purpose of converting a small classroom into a kitchen. Donations from the community have included a refrigerator, stove, sink and microwave. A local contractor is even donating his service and the supplies necessary to renovate a bathroom in the building. The community center is scheduled to be completed in August.
“No one is more energetic, positive, hardworking and enthusiastic about everything,” Patty Davis, a friend of Sevy’s, said. “She has her fingers in everything that’s going on and she is always there as a dependable volunteer.”
Thanks to Sevy, the community of Corliss now has a place for meetings, celebrations, school programs, class reunions, weddings and much more.
The Governor’s Service Awards are administered by the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service to honor outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses solving community problems through volunteer service. A panel of volunteer judges, including past awardees, choose the recipients on the basis of achievement, community needs, continuing involvement, innovation and impact of service.
Other recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Service Awards include, by category:
- Lifetime Achievement: Harold “Kitty” Wilson, Calhoun County; William “Sarge” McGhee, Wyoming County; John “Bill” Dillon, Summers County
- Youth: Emily Boggs of Charleston
- Adult: Karen Haynes, Putnam County
- Senior: G. Lee Fisher, Braxton County
- Organization: Jonathon Powell Hope Foundation, Mercer County
- Business: Verizon, statewide; INSITE, Kanawha County
For tickets to the awards banquet, or information about the conference, contact Moya Doneghy at (304) 558-0111 or 1-800-WV-HELPS, or by e-mail at Moya.Doneghy@wv.gov.
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