The Service League of Cherokee County is excited to announce four finalists for the 2023 Heritage of Hope Award. After receiving nominations from across community members, the Service League has selected Josh Bagby, Julie Darnell, Honorable Jennifer Davis, and Michele Prance as finalists for the award. The Heritage of Hope Award was established by the Service League to honor a person who is making significant contributions to children in the Cherokee County community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication.
These four people are passionate about children in need and giving them hope.
Although this award embodies the mission of the Service League of Cherokee County and the ten years of service represented by the one hundred members of the group, current members of the Service League or any member of the Awards Committee are not eligible. These four finalists have consistently demonstrated qualities of compassion and service to either one organization or a variety of volunteer activities that benefit children. They also serve as role models for compassion and service to children in need and strive to make Cherokee County a better place.
We would like to share just a few highlights we received from the nominations that were sent in for each of these finalists.
- As the founder of the Facebook group, Cherokee Connect (65.3K members), Josh continually rallies the community to help meet daily needs of children throughout our community.
- Josh has partnered with MUST Ministries to help with their Summer Lunch Program by collecting lunch items and monetary donations. In addition, he personally purchased drinks, peanut butter, and snacks in order to contribute to the program
- Knowing the Cherokee County School District has families who struggle to pay their child’s lunchroom debt each year, Josh has paid off the debt of an entire school for several years as well as asked friends and colleagues to do the same.
- Julie is known for her constant care for others and her alturistic heart.
- Julie serves in the Hickory Flat Optimist Club. When a need for a child arises, she not only tries to meet the need, but she lets the need be known so others can join the cause and a greater good is reached for the child.
- As a passionate volunteer for the Special Olympics, Julie personally goes to local businesses asking them to participate in a coupon book, which in turn is a fundraiser for the event.
- Through her efforts and individual involvement in her church, professional, community and civic groups, countless children have been supported, fed, clothed, and loved.
- Judge Jennifer Davis is the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge for Cherokee County where she works daily to bring stability to the lives of children who are in unhealthy or dangerous conditions.
- Judge Davis established the first Juvenile Drug Treatment Court to intervene with children abusing drugs or alcohol.
- In the Cherokee County community, Judge Davis makes sure children have the advocates they need. Judge Davis serves on the board of several child focused organizations.
- Judge Davis is known to take an offering from friends and family to crowd-source and personally fund countless children’s Christmases and needs.
- Michele is an honorary member of The Service League of Cherokee County.
- Michele has a heart for children who suffer from emotional, verbal and substance abuse. She volunteers her time to advocate for those most vulnerable by serving as a CASA.
- Over the past twenty years, Michele has been a Secret Santa for children who otherwise would not receive Christmas gifts. Michele has also served and provided for children through Bert’s Big Adventure. Through the Interact Club, Michele has supported local youth service clubs. Michele serves on the board of the Anna Crawford Children’s Center.
The Service League would like to thank the citizens of Cherokee County for taking the time to nominate their family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers for this award. We are excited to be honoring all four of these finalists at our Gala and Benefit on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Timbers on Etowah, where we will announce our winner of the 2023 Heritage of Hope Award. Join us for an evening of celebration, dancing and fundraising for the children of Cherokee County!