“Friends for Life”, a club formed in 2010 for people with disabilities who are beyond their high school years and have aged out of similar clubs in the area, was named the 2020 winner of the Jean C. Harris Award for Excellence on October 28.  Friends for Life, formed by parents and community members, meets monthly at Cool Springs Baptist Church in Mechanicsville.  The club offers individuals with disabilities events such as dinners, dance parties, as well as leadership opportunities and more.  

The Jean C. Harris Award for Excellence is given yearly by the Hanover County Community Services Board to Hanover-based individuals, families or groups that demonstrate outstanding contribution in the areas of intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health, and/or substance use.  The late Mrs. Harris was a long time board member, community volunteer and advocate who was a founding member of the CSB.

The winner of the Jean C. Harris award is normally announced and honored during a reception held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hanover County. However due the current pandemic, this year’s program was virtual and the winner was announced via video.  The video premiered on Hanover County’s Facebook and YouTube channels on October 28 at 4:00 p.m.  For more information about this award, contact the Hanover County Community Services Board at 804-365-4222.