Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1157660
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 21-27, 2019 UCW 7 JUN 16 JUN 27 U P C O M I N G E V E N T S 159 MAXWELL STREET, FAYETTEVILLE (910) 483-8133 | FAYBIZ.COM JUN 30 A U G 29 Business After Hours Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum 325 Franklin St. 5:30 PM A U G 26 Member Orientation Chamber Board Room 159 Maxwell St. 11:30 AM S E P 3 Business Networking Breakfast Chamber Board Room 159 Maxwell St. 8:30 AM Ms. Tammy Thurman, Community Relations Manager for Piedmont Natural Gas, was recently presented the Governor's Volunteer Service Award at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber's 2019 Public Safety Valor Awards held at Manna Church. Thurman is a Chamber Board and Military Affairs Council member. This award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. Any person, group, or entity from the public, non-profit and private sector may be nominated for an award to their County Award Coordinator. County Award Coordinators submit their top 10 volunteer nominations per county. County recommendations are reviewed by the Commission and awards are given out in those counties. Thurman's volunteer efforts are exemplary and include: •United Way of Cumberland County – Board of Directors, 2015 to Present •North Carolina American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), 2017 to Present •North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities – Advisory Board Committee, 2017 to Present •Sandhills Military Council – Founding Member, 2014 to Present •Cape Fear Valley Medical Hospital – Board of Trustee, 2018 to Present •American Heart Association - Co-Chair, Go Red for Women, 2015-2016 •Fayetteville Arts Council - True to Yourself Black History Month committee member, 2018 to current United Way Executive Director Robert Hines said this about Tammy: "Tammy Thurman has always been engaged while serving on the United Way Board. She was Co-Chair of the 2018-2019 campaign for Cumberland County. Presently, she is the Chairwoman and serves on the Market Committee which advises the staff in all media and print ads. Success is not always about having the skill to do something but, I guarantee achieving success is always about having the will, desire and commitment to be your best and that is what makes Tammy Thurman so successful." One of her co-workers wrote: "Tammy is a great role model. She has a passion for mentoring single women of color, professional women, along with our youth." In fact, Thurman recently completed course work to become a Board-Certified Life Coach in the State of North Carolina. She has also completed Leadership North Carolina and holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. That commitment is there, rain or shine. Another co-worker recalled her work during Hurricane Florence. "She worked day and night. She checked individually on employees and their families. She listened with empathy, provided assistance and even offered the use of her own home. She gives everything she has 150% of the time." This award is not the first recognition for Tammy. She was one of her alma mater Saint Augustine's University's 45 Under 45 Honoree in 2017; United Way Loan Executive of the Year in 2014; named one of Cumberland County Schools' Outstanding Partners in Education for 2016, 2017 and 2018, and holds a Certificate in Leadership from Fort Bragg. Ms. Thurman's 16 years with Piedmont has led to her current position where she acts as the community liaison, often managing charitable contributions, grants and volunteer programs. She is charged with building and maintaining relations with nonprofit organizations and key relationships with elected and appointed officials. All of these activities encompass 38 counties. But there still seems to be time for a multitude of volunteer activities. Renee Lane, Sandhills Area Director for the USO of North Carolina commented on Tammy's contributions to the USO Board: "Tammy's unending support and commitment to the Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune communities sets a standard for others to follow. She is keenly aware of what it takes to bring critical programs and services to those in uniform and their families. As a result, our military communities benefit greatly from her initiative to get involved and lead by example." Thurman has done the same for the Chamber. "Having Tammy on the board has brought us a new, positive perspective," said Chamber President Christine Michaels. "She stepped up to lead our inaugural Spouses in Military Expo put on by our Military Affairs Council and for our second year plans to double the scope and impact of the event," she added. "Tammy think big, and we love that enthusiasm!" Other of Thurman's activities include being a minister at Charity Church - the Church That Christ Built since 2006. Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams summed it up well. "Whether it's helping our children or schools or volunteering with non-profits, Ms. Thurman is actively engaged in our community. She is truly deserving of this honor and I congratulate her." THURMAN RECEIVES GOVERNOR'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD