Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco Awards Extra Mile Hero Recipients

Today, November 1, is Extra Mile Day. All over the country, mayors from more than 500 cities, including Mayor Jerry Marco, are commemorating individuals who have served their communities by consistently going the extra mile. This initiative, championed by Extra Mile America, seeks to highlight the significant, positive influence a person can have in their families, workplaces, and broader communities when they take that extra step.

In acknowledgment of this spirit, Mayor Jerry Marco has awarded three exemplary recipients in his locality with the “Extra Mile Hero Award.”

“They have truly embodied the essence of going the extra mile through their remarkable volunteerism and service,” says Marco. “Their unwavering commitment to bettering our community serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the power of individual action and the impact of collective effort.”

The Extra Mile Hero Recipients Are:

Michael Parlock

Michael is the law and public safety instructor at Randolph Technical Center. Not only does he teach his students and gives them the skills they need to successfully obtain jobs in law enforcement all over the state, but he mentors his students on a personal basis.

Dave Vandenbergh

Dave has volunteered at Davis Medical Center since 2016 and has donated more than 1200 hours of service helping our community members navigate the hospital. He has shown compassion to people during their most stressful times to make them feel more at ease, or he tells a joke to make someone laugh when they are anxious. Not only does he volunteer at DMC, but he also volunteers each week serving meals to the homeless at the First United Methodist Church. Before volunteering at FUMC, he donated many hours delivering Meals on Wheels to our senior community members in their homes.

Pat Lewis

Pat is described as one of the most passionate people around. If she hears about a family in need, she is the first one to post on Facebook looking for help and donations.  She works hard with area parents and collects donations for children at Christmas time to make sure less provided children are taken care of.

“The strength of a community is often reflected in the actions of its members,” Marco stated. “While deciding on the awardees was difficult, it was heartwarming to see the myriad of ways our citizens are going above and beyond. Every nominee, without exception, deserves our appreciation and recognition for their outstanding contributions.”

Additional Resources:
Extra Mile America: https://extramileamerica.org/