DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis honors Community Heroes

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis honored 25 individuals and organizations during his fifth CEO’s Community Hero Awards on Dec. 27 at the DeKalb History Center.

“Thank you for the time you take away from your other responsibilities in life to volunteer with organizations in DeKalb County,” CEO Ellis said. “Thank you for your work to improve the quality of life for our citizens. And most importantly, thank you for the gift of service that you have unselfishly given to our county.”

Hosted in partnership with The Champion Newspaper, the CEO’s Community Hero Awards recognized outstanding individuals and organizations making a significant impact in DeKalb County.

“You are truly heroes,” CEO Ellis told the recipients.

The awards and their recipients include:

Community Champion Award: This award acknowledges individuals and nonprofit organizations that have had a positive impact in strengthening communities and improving the lives of others in DeKalb County.

Individuals

• Alice White–Bussey, County Line/Ellenwood Community

• John Evans, Operation Lead
• Marcia Glenn Hunter, DeKalb for Seniors Inc.
• Ronnie Mayer, Ashford Park Civic Association
• Gilbert “Gil” Turman, South DeKalb Neighborhood Coalition
• Verdaillia Turner, Georgia Federation of Teachers
• Honey Van De Kreke, Tucker City Council District-1, Post-1

Organizations

• Be Someone Inc., Orrin Hudson
• Wesley Chapel Curb Appeal Task Force, Kevin Chapman, Jr.
• Asian American Resource Center, Connie Jee 

Environmental Change Award: This award honors community members who work to preserve, protect and raise awareness about the environment.

• Linda Cotten Taylor, Friends of Chapel Hill Park
• John Miller II, CIP Citizen Advisory Committee
• Tom Smith, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve

Youth Volunteer Award: This award recognizes DeKalb County youth who exemplify volunteerism and community service.

• Justin LeGrand, Boy Scout Troop 106, sponsored by Greenforest Community Baptist Church
• Marcus Jerome Johnson Jr., Boy Scout Troop 1996 at Fairfield Baptist Church
• Gillum Owen, DeKalb County Youth Commission

Neighborhood Empowerment Award: This award recognizes individuals and organizations that fosters civic engagement and promotes community involvement.

Individuals

• Jan R. Costello, Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation
• Joel Edwards, Restore DeKalb
• Vivian Moore, NAACP Georgia Political Action Committee
• Charles Peagler, community activist
• Opal Ware, community activist

Organization

• Columbia Alliance Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative, Eunice Wight

The Vanguard Award: This award recognizes individuals whose contributions most exemplify the National County Government Month theme as established by National Association of Counties each year. This year’s theme is “Safe and Secure Counties.”

• Jacqueline Davis, DeKalb County Board of Health
• Jacqueline M. Echols, South River Watershed Alliance
• Charles Maxwell, Lindmoor Woods Neighborhood Watch, Lindmoor Woods Civic Association