The Lenoir County Alliance for a Healthy Community has announced the recipient of the latest Healthy Community Hero Award. Individuals or organizations are being recognized for demonstrating excellence through a project or program of action within recent history that results in exemplary effort and impact in improving the health of the community.

The Lenoir County Cooperative Extension (LCCE) was recognized as an outstanding organization which has demonstrated positive impact in the results of numerous quality services in the community in the face of recent hardship from flooding and property destruction. Its work was not diminished during hard times and it has demonstrated exemplary efforts and responsibility in its mission for Lenoir County.

The Healthy Community Hero Award was made to LCCE for outstanding organization of services and commitment that far exceeds storms and strife. It provides services for youth, adult and elderly in Lenoir County. Parenting programs, master gardener development and farming education and assistance are foundational program strengths.  

Additionally, the LCCE offers 4H youth development, Bee Keepers, SHIIP Medicare Part D education, injury prevention and a variety of nutrition programs that has measureable outcomes and impact. A highly visible organization, it coordinates the Lenoir County farmer’s market, Festival on the Neuse pig cookoffs each year, as well as the Lenoir County Agricultural Fair to promote agriculture resources in ENC. It assists with the running of the pet shelter during disasters when community shelters are opened, so people have a safe place to leave their pet family members.

Steve Roman of Triple P nominated the LCCE.

“Everyone recognizes the value of Cooperative Extension as having significance in the quality of our lives, but when faced with disaster on their own property, they did not allow themselves to be defeated for one second,” he said.

After the devastation of Hurricane Matthew, the LCCE headquarters flooded on Highway 11 South. While this was going on, the staff managed the evacuation of the building while maintaining the pet shelter at LCC. As the staff worked out of a temporary service location, it maintained the same level of service.

The LCCE director, Dr. Tammy Kelly, led planning and fundraising to rebuild the office at the same site. One year and 10 months later, the beautiful, enhanced new building is operational and constructed with future flooding in mind. The heart of the LCCE mission is tied to the people who works there and their dedication and perseverance to our community is reflected in their outstanding commitment and outreach.

For more information about LCCE, 1791 HWY 11/55, Kinston, and their services, call (252) 527-2191 or visit its website at lenoir.ces.ncsu.edu.

The Lenoir County Alliance for a Healthy Community is a an umbrella  community coalition that seeks to improve quality of life through promoting healthy living for all residents in Lenoir County by partnering with private, public, grassroots organizations and individual citizens. This group encourages a healthier community through facilitation of increased knowledge of community resources and initiatives, utilizing networking and collaboration to decrease barriers for an optimally healthy community.  

Started in 1999 and recognized as a certified Healthy Carolinians task force in 2000, the group includes representatives from dozens of community agencies. The Alliance meets ten months a year at 8:30 a.m. on fourth Tuesdays at the N.C. Veterans Home. It serves as an advisory committee for several local organizations. Invitation is open to the community.