The Child Rescue Center of Sierra Leone presented by Vickie Edwards

"Our mission is to provide for the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social needs of children and youth who have become victims of neglect, abuse, poverty, hunger, culture, war and corrupt political systems. Our primary goal is to provide food, shelter, clothing, health care, education and skills training for orphans, street children, school dropouts and children and youth in extremely difficult socio-economic circumstances."


Vickie Edwards a Wilson resident and parishioner of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilson provided the Wilson Rotary Club with an extremely informative and entertaining power point presentation on the Children's Rescue Center of Sierra Leone. Ms. Edwards informed us of the history of the civil war, the atrocities of the region and the horrific stories of the children that the violent war affected.

The CRC was formed with the help of the First Methodist Church in Herndon, VA and has taken in children that were orphaned and on the street.

This orphanage would make an excellent International Services Project.

Wilson Rotary Club Presents M. J. Bird Award

The Wilson Rotary Club honored local business woman Jolly Barnes with M. J. Bird Award for service and dedication the Wilson Rotary Club, the community, and to the ideals of Rotary at the Wilson Rotary Club installation banquet held June 27, 2006 at the Wilson Country Club.

The M. J. Bird Award is Wilson Rotary Club’s equivalent of Rotarian of the Year and is named in memory of Mr. M.J. Bird. M. J. Bird served as club president in 1946 and was very active in the club and the community. The youth of Wilson were his major concern and he provided many opportunities for youth programs in the community.

“Jolly Barnes is very deserving of this honor,” stated Marion Boykin in his introduction of the award winner to the audience. “Jolly has served as our Dictionary Project leader for the club and was responsible for directing the efforts to raise the funds to purchase and distribute more than 1,200 student dictionaries to the students of Wilson County. Everything Jolly does she does with heart and a smile.”

Barnes serves as the Wilson Rotary Club’s newsletter editor, serves as the Vocational Service director for the board of directors, chaired the Service Above Self Essay Contest, and worked tirelessly on numerous committees. In the community Barnes has served as the treasurer for the Women of Wilson - Wesley Shelter Auxiliary, is an active member of the board of directors of Women of Wilson. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilson, Barnes serves as the moderator of Presbyterian Women, is a circle member, and has taught Sunday School.

Jolly Barnes is the owner of Acculist & Accutype a full service mailing and printing business located on Nash Street in Wilson. She is married to Robert and has a son Daniel, a step son Graham and one grandson Logan.

“Jolly Barnes is exemplary of the spirit of service above self in all that she does professionally, for Rotary, and for the community. If I had to define the object of Rotary I would simply use a picture of Jolly and that would be enough,” commented Karl McKinnon, the 2005 M.J. Bird Award recipient.

David Woodard recognized as Community Paul Harris Fellow

Wilson Rotary clubs announce Community Paul Harris Fellowship award

The Rotary Club of Greater Wilson and the Wilson Rotary Club honored local attorney and community advocate David Woodard with the Community Paul Harris Fellowship for 2005 – 2006 at the Wilson Rotary Club installation banquet held June 27, 2006 at the Wilson Country Club.

“Recently, Frank Devlyn, chairman of the Rotary Foundation and former Rotary International president, wrote how those participating in Rotary were guided by the Four T’s – Thinking, Talent, Time and Treasure. Our recipient tonight qualifies on all four counts,” stated Bruce Beasley, president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce in his introduction of Woodard to accept the prestigious award.

The Wilson Rotary Clubs presents a Community Paul Harris Fellowship each year to recognize the important and sustained community work of an individual to the community. Recipients exemplify the Rotary motto of service above self in their daily lives and service to the community. In addition to local recognition for their efforts recipients of the Community Paul Harris Fellowship Award have a donation of one thousand dollars made in their name to the Rotary Foundation where the money is used to fund humanitarian projects internationally.

David Woodard has served as chairman of the board for the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, chairman and long-time member of the Wilson Economic Development Council, president of Wilson County Properties, president of Wilson County Economic Development Foundation, president of the Wilson Arts Council. He served on the Board of Directors for the Wilson Medical Center, Salvation Army, The Boys Club, YMCA, and UNC Educational Foundation, president of the Toisnot Middle School Parent Teacher Organization, and a mentor at Margaret Hearne and Wells Schools. He is an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church and has served as a soccer and basketball coach on his three daughters’ teams.

“David Woodard sets an example for all of us that we each can do more for our fellow residents on this planet. Quietly he has helped people in Wilson have more job opportunities, better health care, and enjoy the arts. There are young people whose lives have changed because of his help with programs serving youth. Nearly all those people will go to bed tonight without knowing who played a hand in bringing to our city the industry where they work, or improved facilities at our hospital, or providing a warm meal when times were bleak,” added Beasley.

David Woodard is a practicing attorney with Conner, Bunn, Rogerson, and Woodard PLLC. He lives in Wilson with his wife Mial and three daughters Clark, Warren, and Kate.