Two exceptional Franklin County residents receive recognition for their volunteer work

From Left to Right: Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Chester Spellman,
Joe Taylor, Nancy Paine, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Gov. Rick Scott,
Shawn Shattuck, Miranda Shattuck, Liz Wood, Ann Kent, and Commissioner
of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam Putnam  

Dedicated, charitable and unselfish are just a few choice words that could be used to describe two Franklin County residents Joe Taylor and Shawn Shattuck, both of whom were honored this week for volunteering their time and resources to better the lives of Franklin County families.

On Friday, November 15, at the South Florida State College Highlands Campus in Avon Park, Taylor of Apalachicola who serves as the executive director of Franklin’s Promise Coalition was awarded the Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator Award for his outstanding work as a volunteer manager in the nonprofit sector.  

Joe Taylor (L) of Franklin Promise Coalition receives the Outstanding Volunteer
 Administrator award from FAVRM president, Mary Register (R)

The award presentation took place during the Florida Association for Volunteer Resource Management’s fall forum, which was established to recognize innovation and a commitment to affect positive change in diverse communities.  

"The Florida Association for Volunteer Resource Management is comprised of an incredibly talented pool of leaders who are working hard each day to meet the needs of communities throughout the state," said Mary Register, the president of the board of directors for the association also known as FAVRM. "We are proud to be able to recognize the great work they do each year during our fall forum."

And while at the meeting of the Governor and his Cabinet yesterday in Tallahassee, Shattuck of Eastpoint was presented the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award by Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman.

Shawn Shattuck (R) receives Volunteer Florida Champion of Service
Award from Volunteer Florida CEO, Chester Spellman (L)

Governor Scott said, “It is an honor to present the Champion of Service Award to Shawn today for his volunteer leadership and dedication to Florida families. His work turned tragedy into triumph, and I applaud his efforts to help others overcome similar challenging situations.”

After losing his job as an oysterman due to challenges faced by Franklin County’s commercial seafood industry, Shawn Shattuck volunteered with Franklin’s Promise Coalition’s “A Hand Up: Volunteer Emergency Assistance Program” an emergency assistance fund established to provide unemployed residents assistance with utilities and basic needs. While volunteering at the coalition, Shawn helped with a variety of projects, including Toys for Tots, Running for the Bay, and local food pantries. On March 1, 2013, Shawn started his own business, “Shawn’s Honey-Do Services, LLC” where he offers services in tiling, moving, lawn care, carpentry, and painting. He continues to volunteer throughout the community and is currently working with Franklin’s Promise Coalition as a volunteer leader for their “Reach Back” program, which helps others in the community reach their full potential.

Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman said, “Studies have shown that volunteering can be an excellent pathway to employment, with volunteers being 27 percent more likely to find employment than non-volunteers. I congratulate Shawn on his service and encourage all unemployed Floridians to consider volunteering as a way to garner skills while strengthening communities.”

The Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award honors individuals and groups for their outstanding volunteer efforts.

Congratulations are due both Joe and Shawn for being exceptional volunteer members of the Franklin County community.