Luke Brackett Andersen is a 17-year-old high school junior. To name a few of the volunteer activities in which he participates: Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen where he cooks and serves, Operation Christmas Child, Hunger Outreach Program where he cooks and delivers meals, Boy Scouts with Eagle Scout rank, The Children’s School at Sylvia Circle, and Rock Hill Youth Council. Luke also works as a Special Olympics Swim Team volunteer coach and mentor on the YMCA Swim Team.

Luke recently wrote in a paper “For whom much is given, much is expected. I have been given so much, it is my humble goal to return as much as I can to my family, my community and to my country.”

Michelle Covington was the recipient of the American Red Cross Clara Barton Award for the Rock Hill Chapter in 1999 and the South Carolina Clara Barton Award in 2001. This is the most prestigious award presented by the Red Cross. In 1990 and 1992 she was named Volunteer of the Year by the York County Red Cross.

In 1997 she received the Eva McClurkin Citizen of the Year Award, and in 2002 was the recipient of the Rock Hill Sertoma Club’s Service to Mankind Award. Michelle started with the American Red Cross York County Chapter in 1976 and is very active in the Disaster and Armed Forces Emergency Services. She is responsible for keeping military personnel and their families in touch during critical situations such as a death, an illness, a birth of a child and other family emergencies. Michelle is an asset in Disaster Services and has served on ten national disaster relief operations.

She served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, with eight of those years leading a troop for disabled girls. For more than thirty years, she has been involved with Special Olympics. Michelle consistently serves others and gives unselfishly of her time and talents.

Ta’ Mara Cureton is an active member of SOAR (Serving Others And Reflecting). She mentors 12-18 year old girls at the Girls’ Home and volunteers as a tutor for the children at York Place. Ta’ Mara has worked with York County Literacy helping adults learn to read and successfully recruited many blood donors for the fall blood drive at Winthrop. Her most recent project was helping with Santa’s breakfast at Christmasville.

 Ta’ Mara is a strong advocate for education, encouraging kids to make the most of their education. She has been described as having an infectious, positive attitude and has a true passion for giving back to the community.
 

Robert Hope is a native of Rock Hill, where he has been dedicated to serving the community and mentoring its youth. He is best known for his 27 years as director of the YMCA. Even after Robert retired from the YMCA he continued to volunteer at Camp Cherokee for a week each year for 14 years as the camp nurse.

Robert was the 1999 Rock Hill Citizen of the Year, received the 2005 Public Service Award from the American Legion Frank Roach Post 34, and was the recipient of the Sertoma Club’s Service to Mankind Award. He also has served on many community committees and advisory boards in York County. Robert helped campaign and raise thousands of dollars to purchase the Mighty Casey statue for the citizens of Rock Hill. He has been described as having a passion to make life fun for children and youth.
 

Thi Le has been a dedicated public servant ever since coming to this country in 1975, at the age of 16. Over the years Thi Le has volunteered her time, talent and energy with many community organizations. Some of those organizations are York County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Red Cross, Boys and Girls’ Club, No Room for Racism Committee, Rock Hill District Foundation and Winthrop University Community Advisory Group.

Thi Le has sponsored numerous community events and donated countless meals to various churches and community organizations for their fund raising efforts. In the past year alone she has single handedly donated more than 5,000 meals to the people of Rock Hill.
 

Gary Williams is the recipient of the Beaver Award, the highest honor given to a volunteer by the Boy Scouts for his leadership, service and mentorship. He has also received honors as York County Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. He has served as a member of the Rock Hill School Board and was the recipient of the South Carolina Department of Education State Volunteer Award. Gary also provides technology staff assistance at Boys and Girls’ Club, has donated computers and security systems to A Place for Hope and serves as a mentor for Sunset Park Elementary School.

Most recently he has extended his business expertise and fundraising experience as he serves as the current Chair for the York County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Gary has been described as “leading by example,” a man of integrity who genuinely cares about the people around him and his community.