Lee County’s Robert Johnson honored for helping neighbor
June 2, 2014 by clackey
Lee County’s Robert Johnson accepted southern and eastern Kentucky’s PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award from Sandy Gay, PRIDE officer and Lee County Conservation District Program Coordinator.
PRIDE and the Lee County Conservation District honored Robert Johnson for being a good neighbor.
“It means so much when a neighbor helps someone who needs it, seeking no personal gain for himself,” said Sandy Gay, who is the Conservation District Program Coordinator and a PRIDE officer. She surprised Johnson with the PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award during the conservation district’s annual awards banquet on May 22.
Johnson donated his time and equipment to clear a field for his neighbor, Juanita Fultz. The field, which is adjacent to her yard, was needed to install her new septic system through the PRIDE Homeowner Septic System Grant Program. Because the field was overgrown, the health department could not inspect the site and approve the septic system.
“There were no funds available to clear the field, so the project was at a stand still,” Gay explained.
When Johnson learned of the situation, he brought his tractor and mower from his farm several miles away. Then he brought his backhoe to move big rocks that stood in the way of mowing.
“We were facing a frustrating problem that seemed insurmountable until Robert stepped up,” Gay said. “His only motivation was to help a neighbor in need to have a safer, healthier place to live.”
“Ms. Fultz was so very appreciative of the project and Robert’s assistance,” Gay added. “Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer before her septic system could be installed. Still, we wanted to share this inspiring message of good character across our region by recognizing Robert with the Volunteer of the Month Award.”
The PRIDE Volunteer of the Month program recognizes hard work and dedication to the PRIDE initiative, which promotes environmental education and cleanup efforts in a 42-county region. With corporate sponsorship from TECO Coal, WYMT-TV airs commercials about each PRIDE Volunteer of the Month.
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