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PGP Davidson wins Volunteer Award
Two Taylor County volunteers receive awards
Story by Matthew Trout, Mountain Statesman Editor
Two distinguished Taylor County gentlemen have received
Commendations for Volunteer Service awards through the State of West
Virginia. Sherman
Davidson and Bernard Horovitz have spent years being of service to
the residents of Taylor County and West Virginia.
Both received certificates signed by West Virginia Governor
Joe Manchin, III recognizing them for “Outstanding commitment to
volunteerism and exceptional contributions toward making West
Virginia a better place.”
In February of 2008, the governor’s office issued a press release
seeking statewide nominations for the Governor’s Service Awards.
The awards recognize West Virginians who display enduring
commitment for the betterment of the state through volunteerism.
“West Virginia is blessed to have an abundance of citizens of every
age level who have made a positive impact on our state,” stated
Governor Manchin.
Volunteers are not just the heart of activities; they are also the
heart of each community.
This is our opportunity to recognize those who have made the
greatest mark across our state.”
Davidson currently writes for a Christian organization’s website,
giving advice on computers, religion, recipes, and general living.
He is a founder of this organization.
He sings in two church choirs, the Warren Black History Month
choir and the Mt. Pleasant Church choir on Eby Road.
He sits on the Taylor County Republican Executive Committee as the
vice-chairperson and the executive secretary.
In that same group he is also chair of publicity and the
Lincoln Day Dinner Committee. He was recently one of five people
from Taylor County who were delegates to the state convention in
Flatwoods, West Virginia.
In January of 2008, he was invited by Senator Dave Sypolt to
give the opening prayer at the Senate.
In 1988, by invitation of Senator Robert Byrd, he led the
United States Senate in prayer.
Davidson has served as president of the Taylor County Ministerial
Association, as well as treasurer of that organization.
He was president when the group started providing the
Chaplain Service to the Grafton City Hospital.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
As such, he was a Past Grand Patriarch of the Grand
Encampment of West Virginia.
He was the founding editor of the West Virginia Odd Fellow
that continues today.
He is chairman of the statewide committee, which is the West
Virginia United Nations Pilgrimage.
In July, West Virginia will send seven youths to the United
Nations Tour. Davidson
is the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, and leads
the group in devotions before each session.
He last served as Grand Chaplain in 1968.
He holds the distinction of being the only Past Noble Grand of his
local Rebekah Lodge, and through that he is one of three Odd Fellows
in the state who are Past Noble Grands.
He has also served the Rebekah Assembly many times as the
Assembly Pianist. He is
now the pianist for the District 9 Degree Team, one of the few
degree teams in the state.
Davidson is now in his 48th year of ministry with 46 of
those years served in West Virginia.
He was the founder of the West Virginia United Methodist
Journal, which has grown into the West Virginia United
Methodist Newspaper.
He has served the annual conference as photographer for 19
years, and was recently acknowledged on the annual conference floor
by the retiring director of communications at this session.
Currently, he is providing what he calls “a continuation of
ministry.” Although he
is retired from active ministry, Davidson is now serving as an AARP
Driver Safety Instructor for District 3.
He has taught classes in Preston, Monongalia, Taylor,
Harrison, and Tucker Counties.
Since October of 2003, he has taught 92 classes and has
graduated over 1,300 students.
He has also served the AARP National Organization by being
the West Virginia State Telephone Director.
Bernard Horovitz has been volunteering his time for over 25 years,
primarily working with veteran’s organizations such as the Disabled
American Veterans Chapter #24.
Working closely with veterans and their families in obtaining
assistance by pulling records from the Veterans Administrative
Regional Office in Huntington, West Virginia in order to expedite
the process. He is well
versed in the process of assisting the families of deceased veterans
in order for them to receive the assistance and compensation they
deserve. Horovitz noted
that there has been an increase in the compensation of many veterans
and spouses using the Veteran’s Administration Means Test that
determines income and compensates accordingly.
Horovitz has spent countless hours assisting veterans at the
VA Hospital, not only with administrative issues, but also as a
friend and companion to those who just need someone to talk to.
Horovitz was instrumental in helping to start the Teddy Bear program
through local law enforcement.
Having heard of the program in Harrison County, he arranged
with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department to start the program
here. Teddy Bears are
collected to ride with law enforcement, EMS, fire, and other
emergency responders, in order to help alleviate the fear children
are faced with during traumatic experiences.
“We have found that the community is very responsive in donating
bears,” Horovitz stated.
Mr. Horovitz has also been actively involved in Mayor G. Thomas
Bartlett, III’s VIP (Volunteer in Police Services) program.
The program has required him to spend 16 weeks of training at
the Police Academy in Clarksburg.
In this program, he has been indoctrinated through the FBI,
has had classes on Hazardous Materials Safety, and the emergency
response team. Though
this takes up a majority of his time, he still finds the time to
assist people in the community and veteran’s families.
These two gentlemen exemplify the spirit of volunteerism in Taylor
County. The great honor
bestowed upon them through the Governor’s Service Awards is well
deserved and reflects the commitment to making a difference that has
made Taylor County a great place to live.
Caption
Sherman Davidson and Bernard Horovitz proudly display the Governor’s
Service Awards presented to them.
The awards represent Commendation for Volunteer Service to
the State of West Virginia.
Sherman Davidson and Bernard Horovitz proudly display the Governor’s Service Awards presented to them. The awards represent Commendation for Volunteer Service to the State of West Virginia. Bernie does not belong to the Odd Fellows but sounds like he would be a natural.
