Leon County and Holland & Knight Recognize
Sacrificial Service
Last week, Leon County and Holland & Knight recognized Samuel Carter as the 2016 Glenn J. Winuk Humanitarian Award winner. Since 2013, Holland & Knightʼs Tallahassee office, working with Leon County, established the Glenn J. Winuk Humanitarian Service Award to honor heroes right here in our community.
The fourth annual award honors acts of sacrificial service that were exemplified in Glenn J. Winuk’s life and in his death at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Winuk, a volunteer firefighter and EMT for almost 20 years, raced to help evacuate Holland & Knight’s New York City office, located just two blocks from the Twin Towers, on the morning of September 11, 2001.
Samuel Carter, a Tallahassee native and Executive Director of Carter’s Corner, has provided services such as mental health counseling, after school care and many other resources to the Southside community. Mr. Carter has collaborated with numerous organizations to provide fresh food, athletic consulting and career options for at-risk youth and other families in need. He received a plaque presented by Holland and Knight and $1,000 to go towards the charity of his choice.
In addition to Samuel Carter, the community submitted 14 outstanding nominations. Below is a short description of each nominee and his or her accomplishments:
- Ronald C. Burger has dedicated his life to public and community service, including assisting first responders at Ground Zero the evening of 9/11.
- Daniellle Daguerre is the Outreach and Extension Collections Coordinator for the Leon County library, and she also has a big heart, and a true spirit for public service and played a significant role in comforting the victims from the Wakulla County bus crash.
- Marianne Duvall has been a dedicated volunteer with Big Bend Cares since 2009, completing over 1,153 hours assisting clients and volunteering for large fundraising events like Artopia and AIDS Walk.
- Lashawn Gordon is the Program Director at PACE Center for Girls and is determined that every girl should have opportunities to make their world different and she gives everything to make that come true.
- Kayse Green is an excellent paramedic and clinician for Leon County Emergency Medical Services and also goes above and beyond to serve her community with organizations such as Operation Gratitude and Honor Flight Tallahassee.
- Noel Hardcastle is an 85 year old volunteer with Elder Day Stay, that started to volunteer after his wife of 58 years passed away, who dedicates every Monday to call Bingo and sing hymns with clients.
- Ed Neuse is a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend and is a beacon of what it means to be a Big, a consistent, adult friend that helps a youth achieve success in life and be better, forever.
- Lisa Peerson is a retired nurse who advocates for local abused and neglected children within the court system and the community through the Guardian Ad Litem program.
- Rachel Sutz Pienta is the Senior Market Manager for the American Cancer Society and has a passion for education and is intricately involved with issues focusing on women and children
- Michael and Brenda Popp are involved with various ministries at Good Shepherd Catholic Church and have served low income families, incarcerated men and the Mission Oaks congregate housing for men.
- Tina Johnson Reason volunteers countless hours of her time and resources to benefit at risk and homeless people in need, especially veterans, through her nonprofit The Sacred Soil Project.
- Jeremy Rogers is a Tallahassee firefighter and founder of the Tallahassee Adventure Club, a collection of community leaders that have extensive travel an adventure experience and are willing to share their appreciation for the outdoors through club initiatives.
- Kirshner F. Saint Charles has committed himself to a profession as a firefighter and but also volunteers his time with the Boys and Girls Club and served as a coach and mentor at Raa Middle School and Leon High School.
- Bill Schack has worked with numerous charities and now helps prepare and serve over 600 meals a day to the homeless and hungry in Tallahassee as the Food Services Director at The Kearney Center.
To find out how you can volunteer and give back to your community, visit www.VolunteerLeon.org.
For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov .
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