Two locals receive Governor's Volunteer Star Awards

An adult and a youth from Johnson County are now Governor's Volunteer Star Awards recipients. Julia Crews received the youth award for her longtime commitment to "serving others and advocating for agriculture." "Julia is currently a graduating senior at Johnson County High School where she is actively involved in numerous leadership roles and clubs including President of Future Farmers of America, President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vice-President of the National Honor Society [and] a long-standing, active member of 4-H," stated Danielle Pleasant, 4-H Youth Development Extension agent at the Johnson County Extension. Julia "actively engages numerous youths" as a "Tennessee FFA Regional Officer, an FFA National Delegate, and a 4-H All-Star." She's also been a leader at multiple camps, volunteered at the Johnson County Senior Center multiple times in the past nine years and is an active member of Central Baptist Church. "Her message of service will impact future generations," the extension stated. "Her efforts have deeply impacted many individuals." Dwayne Dickinson received the adult award. He has been pastor of Mountain City's First Christian Church (FCC) for close to three decades and started its food pantry 25 years ago. "He has been very involved in Johnson County, serving as a member of the Johnson County Health Council, tourism councils, and has also brought various health clinics into the county." Dickinson "has headed recovery efforts for Johnson County" since Helene, organizing the distribution of supplies to "citizens, linemen, and first responders" and helped the Red Cross Center. "In the first weeks he was in contact with county officials to send volunteers to cut trees and muck out homes impacted by the flood," the extension stated. Dickinson has raised "some $600,000 towards rebuilding homes" and recruited over 2,000 volunteers to help. Over 60 homes have been repaired or rebuilt because of this effort. Every Tennessee county may choose one youth and one adult to receive the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award, according to the extension. Volunteer Tennessee is coordinating the Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards at the State level and will be celebrating each of the nominees in a ceremony on March 8, 2026. Volunteer Tennessee is the twenty-five-member bipartisan citizen board appointed by the Governor to oversee AmeriCorps and service-learning programs and to advance volunteerism…in the Volunteer State. Visit volunteertennessee.net for more information about Volunteer Tennessee and the Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards.