GCB Awards Criteria and Committee

Judy Presley, Awards Committee Chair, PO Box 231, Helen GA 30545, 706-400-2185, judygpresley23@gmail.com

The June Willis Guiding Eyes Award:
The recipient must be a sighted GCB member who is known to GCB members through attendance at GCB state activities, and through his/her willing assistance and service to the blind and visually impaired.

June Willis Guiding Eyes Award Committee Members:
Keith Morris (Chair), 3359 White Oak Road, Thomson GA 30824, 706-595-1465, keithmorris53@icloud.com
Bowles Dean, 864-396-0817, eb46dean@gmail.com
Tiyah Longmier, 404-922-7474, manifestiqueworks@gmail.com

The Gerald Pye Community Service Award:
The recipient must be an active legally blind member of GCB in good standing. He or she must have demonstrated superior service to his or her community in several ways that exemplify the work of Gerald Pye. The candidate must be nominated in writing by a GCB member who knows firsthand of the candidate's community services. Examples of this service must be included in the written recommendation.

Gerald Pye Community Service Award Committee Members:
Cecily Laney Nipper (Chair), 21 Butler Bridge Road, Covington GA 30016, 470-218-7885, roses828@comcast.net
Dianne Roberts, 770-533-3601, harveyroberts2@att.net
Kathy Morris, 706-466-2253, mkumorris@yahoo.com

The Rhoda Walker / Ann Sims Award:
(suggested by Rhoda's sister, Helen Wasileski)
The recipient can be a blind or sighted individual. Services rendered must be of non-paying status. Services may be any endeavor in the field of teaching, service, and betterment of life for the blind. The recipient must provide public awareness through speaking, seminars, and/or demonstration. There must be involvement of the educational field/teaching braille. The recipient must push any innovation involving blindness or blind people.

Rhoda Walker / Ann Sims Committee Members:
Hoyal Presley (Chair), P.O. Box 231, Helen GA 30545, 706-878-6041, hoyalpresley@gmail.com
Jeremy Adams, 706-200-2087, Adamsj154@gmail.com
Phil Jones, 770-713-3306, Brilman1952@gmail.com

The Walter R. McDonald Service Award:
The recipient is an outstanding visually impaired individual who has, through his/her leadership and service, contributed significantly to the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community, and who has demonstrated by deeds and achievements his/her dedication to the principles incident to blindness espoused and practiced by the late Walter R. McDonald. The recipient may or may not be a member of the GCB.

Walter R. McDonald Service Award Committee Members:
Deborah Lovell (Chair), 3215 Lake Forest Drive, Augusta GA 30909, 706-667-3085, lovelld2000@gmail.com
Amanda Wilson, 770-547-4700, moonrocks@bellsouth.net
D J McIntyre, 678-343-7550, dgrenevitch@me.com

Lifetime Membership Award:
Alice Ritchhart (Chair), 125 Willow Pond Way, Brunswick GA 31525, 912-996-4213, Alice.ritchhart@comcast.net
Amanda Wilson, 770-547-4700, moonrocks@bellsouth.net
Marsha Farrow, 706-859-2624, marsha.farrow@gmail.com

The nominations shall include the name of the candidate, plus the reason the candidate deserves the award. Nominations for all awards shall be submitted to the respective award committee chairperson in writing (including email) no later than October 14, 2025.

GCB Committees for 2025