The Hanover County Community Services Board is honored to announce that the nomination period for the Jean C. Harris Award for Excellence is now open. The nomination form and further information can be found at: www.hanovercounty.gov/675/Jean-C-Harris-Award. Nominations are due by September 9, 2022.
Hanover County is fortunate to having many individuals and organizations helping County residents with supports and services related to mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities. These individuals and organizations play a critical role in our community. We know there are extraordinary examples of community members and organizations offering their unwavering support and services to those in need. For this reason, we are especially honored to announce our annual call for nominees for the Jean C. Harris Award for Excellence.
In 2000, the Hanover County Community Services Board established an annual award in the name of long time board member, community volunteer and advocate, Jean C. Harris, who is a shining example of a person of compassion who directed her time and energy to helping those in need in Hanover County. She made a difference every day. A native of Hanover whose father ran a country store, Mrs. Harris worked as a secretary to a judge, was married to a local bank executive, and raised three children. She was a tireless advocate for those without a voice. She noticed those in need and tried to help in big and small ways. She was feisty and persistent and was a founding member of the Hanover County Community Services Board. With her first appointment in 1977, she served for nearly 20 years, including as chairman five times. Throughout her service, she focused on promoting the development of much needed community-based services and supports in Hanover County and has left a lasting legacy.
Please consider nominating those whose work today follows in Mrs. Harris’s footsteps of advocacy and care for those in need in Hanover County. The challenges are great and their work is invaluable.
The Jean C. Harris Award for Excellence will be presented during a special ceremony on October 26, 2022; more details will be announced soon.