Wake names county's top volunteers

Elmo Scoggin, a volunteer announcer at WCPE-FM, has been named the 2008 Wake County Larry B. Zieverink Volunteer of the Year, and Betty Moore, coordinator of the Wake County Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver, has been named the 2008 Wake County Government Volunteer of the Year.

Posted 7:22 p.m. Sep 16, 2008 — Updated 7:22 p.m. Sep 16, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. — Elmo Scoggin, a volunteer announcer at WCPE-FM, has been named the 2008 Wake County Larry B. Zieverink Volunteer of the Year, and Betty Moore, coordinator of the Wake County Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver, has been named the 2008 Wake County Government Volunteer of the Year.

Scoggin and Moore, both retirees, were among 19 Commissioners' Volunteer Awards nominees to be recognized Monday.

Scoggin has volunteered at WCPE, a not-for-profit classical music radio station, for 24 years. He began by stuffing envelopes, cutting grass, cleaning and answering the phones. For the past 12 years, he has hosted his own evening program, and he recently assumed new duties as a script writer for the upcoming 30th anniversary of the station.

"Elmo is someone who exhibits the highest degree of professionalism and integrity in all that he does. He is one of WCPE's greatest ambassadors," Tommy Denton, WCPE membership director, said in a statement. "He has the highest regard for classical music and is able to convey this passion to listeners. However, his greatest talent is his ability to relate to and connect with people of all races, ages and genders."

As Most Outstanding Volunteer in Wake County in 2008, Scoggin will be considered for one of 20 Medallion Awards presented by the Governor's Office to the top volunteers in North Carolina.

Moore gives 30 hours a week to the Wake County Sheriff's Office as coordinator of Project Lifesaver. In 2006, as president of the Pilot Club of Raleigh, she approached authorities about bringing the Project Lifesaver program to Wake County. Sheriff Donnie Harrison was eager to partner in the program, which provides a rapid response system to locate people with brain disorders who wander away from their caregivers.

Members of the program wear a bracelet that contains a battery operated transmitter. The transmitter emits a tracking signal able to be located by a search and rescue team. Moore's role in the program is to enroll people, conduct orientation programs for the client and caregivers, change batteries in the transmitters on a monthly basis and train Pilot Club members to change the batteries.

Through her efforts, Moore has made a life and death difference to 26 families who now have peace of mind that their loved ones are safe.

"Betty Moore knows how to work with Alzheimer's patients, autistic children and people suffering from dementia. She knows when to touch a trembling hand and offer reassurance or when just to nod knowingly so as not to frighten an autistic child or needlessly stress an Alzheimer's patient," Sheriff Donnie Harrison said in a statement. "She knows that Project Lifesaver does save lives and brings peace of mind to family members."

Other Commissioners' Award winners are as follows:

Renee Filippucci-Kotz, Wake County Animal Shelter
Ramesh Fofaria, Raleigh-Durham International Airport Ambassadors
Brad Hammond, Rex Healthcare
Nan Hannah, Cary Family YMCA
Mary DePuew Kamm, Cary Family YMCA
Carissa Kiely, Pro Famila, Wake County Human Services
Darleen and Leo Payea, North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
Janice Rosier, Interfaith Food Shuttle
Iris and Randy Sensig and Debi Kiracofe, Southern Regional Center, Wake County Human Services and Helping Hand Mission
Emilie Sigel, Interfaith Food Shuttle
Austin Shaw, Wake Forest Baptist Church
Warren Shaw, Interfaith Food Shuttle
Al Slonim,Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) Team
Teens and Adults Preventing Substance Abuse, 4-H, Wake County Human Services

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