The Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual (or couple) who has given of his or her time and talents in making Matthews a better community through community service. The award is given in memory of Nancy Glenn who passed away in December 2006. Nancy was a hardworking dedicated individual who was known for her love of the Matthews community. She had served on the Matthews Human Services Council and worked with many other civic groups. She owned the Matthews News and Record for a number of years and had worked as Executive Director of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. The first Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award was presented to her family in 2007-2008.
Past Recipients of the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award
The Family of Nancy Glenn 2007-2008 Recipient
The first Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award was presented to Nancy Glenn's family in 2007-2008. Ms. Nancy Glenn was a hardworking dedicated individual who was known for her love of the Matthews community. She had served on the Matthews Human Services Council and worked with many other civic groups. She owned the Matthews News and Record for a number of years and had worked as Executive Director of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. The Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual who has given of his or her time and talents in making Matthews a better community through community service. Return to top of page
Aana Lisa Whatley 2008-2009 Recipient
Ms. Aana Lisa Whatley is a dedicated community servant working diligently in the Matthews community. She is Founder of Christ Our Shepherd Ministries and the McDowell Street Center for Family Law both of which help single parents. She was instrumental in the start up of Lois’ Lodge, a ministry for unwed mothers. She donated property for the Matthews Health Clinic and for the Matthews Help Center. She is a past
President of the Matthews Woman’s Club Service League and actively serves the community in numerous other positions. Return to top of page
Joy McGuire 2009-2010 Recipient
Ms. Joy McGuire single handedly established the not for profit ministry “With Love From Jesus”. The ministry provides food, clothing, toys, furniture, and emergency assistance to thousands of impoverished, needy, homeless and otherwise deprived adults and families. Always having a heart to help the homeless, the ministry quickly grew and spread by word of mouth. The ministry now includes a food pantry, clothing closet, furniture closet. baby ministry, prison ministry, and homeless ministry. Joy is known as a friend to the friendless. She was chosen for the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award for her selfless dedication to helping others. Return to top of page
Paula Lester 2010-2011 Recipient
Ms. Paula Lester has worked diligently to preserve the history of the Town of Matthews and the surrounding community. She is the current President of the Matthews Historical Foundation which is responsible for the preservation of the Historic Matthews Reid House. Through her work and dedication, the Massey-Clark House was restored and now houses the Matthews Heritage Museum. She served on the Matthews Board of Commissioners for four years. She was a Commissioner on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, past President of the Matthews Woman’s Club Service League. She is the author of Matthews Memories and Discover Matthews: From Cotton to Corporate. Return to top of page
Miss Margaret Phillips 2011-2012 Recipient
Miss Margaret Phillips is a native of Matthews and a former school teacher. She has been active in church, community, and non-profit organizations in Matthews all her life. She has been active in and supported non-profit groups including Matthews Help Center, Levine Senior Center, Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care, Matthews Historical Foundation, and Matthews Woman’s Club. She is fondly known for caring for friends and other individuals in need. It is through a generous heart and giving of herself that exemplifies the spirit of the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award.
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Brenda Messera 2012-2013 Recipient
Ms. Brenda Messera exemplifies the spirit of the Nancy Glenn Award through her work in the Matthews
community. She works as an Adult English as Second Language Class coordinator and teacher at the Matthews Help Center. She has served as a Chaplin Aide with the Mecklenburg County Jail and became a sponsor of Kiwanis-Aktion Club serving adults with disabilities. She is a past member of the parent advisory board for the International Baccalaureate Program at East Mecklenburg High School. Additionally, she has been host to exchange students from all over the world through the non-profit Youth for Understanding and became a Host Parent with Queens College and with International House. She continues to serve as a mediator for families with Youth for Understanding. Return to top of page
Mr. Jack Jarrell 2013-2014 Recipient
Mr. Jack Jarrell served on the Board of the Matthews Human Services Council, was a founding member of the Matthews American Legion, and past President of the University of Alabama, Charlotte Chapter. He was dedicated to helping veterans and to single parents and youth who needed help finding jobs, homes, food, and other necessities of life. He worked for the NC Dept. of Commerce Employment Security Commission. He exemplified the spirit of the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award through his work touching the lives of many individuals. Return to top of page
Gail Rothschild 2014-2015 Recipient
The Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award was presented posthumously to Ms. Gail Rothschild. Her daughter, Renee Leff, accepted the award at the Matthews Town Council meeting in March 2015. Ms. Rothschild was very active volunteering at the Levine Senior Center and the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. She spent much time leading classes, attending statewide training sessions, assisting, scheduling, and filling in where needed at the Senior Center. She was a past Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and helped with Beachfest, Matthews Alive, and many other events. She was a member of the Matthews Human Services Council. Return to top of page
Iris DeVore 2015-2016 Recipient
Iris DeVore was chosen for the Nancy Glenn Award for over four decades of unselfish service to the Matthews community. She has been a charter member of the Matthews Human Services Council for 20 years where she helps non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Matthews Community identify and address our community’s human services needs. In 1972 she founded the “Happy Times Club” , a program that provides a social and emotional venue for seniors to meet, greet and participate in their community’s growth. In 1975 she established the “Melody Makers Senior Choir”; composed of community residents who travels throughout the community entertaining at various facilities and providing words of encouragement and uplifting songs to our older and disabled adults. In 1977 she was led by God to start a program to help the less fortunate in our community. his program grew so rapidly and addressed such a profound need in our community until she was forced to look for their own building. In 1979, the Matthews Woman’s Club, spear headed by Iris DeVore, our award recipient, and Mrs. June Hamrick, obtained the Clark House from the town of Matthews and the “Matthews Help Center” was born. Some time around 1999, Iris sat down with Mrs. Nancy Glenn, the Matthews Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and discussed the need for a building dedicated specifically to Seniors; a place where seniors could acquire life enhancing programs and services, health promoting programs and a program that would contribute to the town’s infrastructure. She shared this vision with then Mayor Lee Myers, the town’s board of commissioners and practically anyone who would listen. Although presented with many obstacles, challenges and various reasons why this was impossible to accomplish, Iris never waivered in her faith and was determined to fulfill what she knew was a God ordained mission. In 2002 plans for a 19,500 square foot building were completed, Mr. Leon Levine and the Family Dollar Store Foundations provided a significant financial gift. On March 12, 2006 the Final Phase of our award recipient’s dream was realized with the Grand Opening of the Levine Senior Center. In recognition of her selfless and unrivaled contributions to our community, the Town of Matthew named the road leading to the center after her. Return to top of page
Bill Helms 2016-2017 Recipient
Bill Helms is always serving the community through his neighborhood involvement and as the President of his HOA, loves walking in his neighborhood and saying hi to everyone, and with his involvement as the Marketing Director and leasing manager for the Matthews Historical Foundation and the Historic Reid House. He has been the President of the Matthews Human Services Council for 2 years and served as the VP prior to that .His many accomplishments:
Charlotte Chamber Member, Charlotte Direct Marketing Club Member, AD Council Charlotte Member, Charlotte Business Guild (Founding Member), Carolina Celebration- Non Profit- Past Vice President (Annual Fundraiser for those living with HIV and AIDS), Charlotte Regional History Consortium- Past President, Current Ex-Officio/Advisor, Preservation North Carolina Member, North Carolina Museum Council Member, Prime Timers Charlotte (Retired Businessmen Professionals Social Club) Member, Matthews History Museum Advisory Committee, Matthews Human Services Council- Past Vice President! Current President, Matthews Chamber Member, Matthews Historical Foundation- Vice President- Marketing/Publicity/Events/Community History Meetings, Appointed to Historic Rosedale Advisory Council- Marketing & Communications, Appointed to Charlotte History Roundtable, Matthews/Charlotte Community Activist. Return to top of page
Tina Whitley 2017-2018 Recipient
Tina Whitley’s smile is like a beam of light as she shares her time and talents for Matthews. Matthews was her passion for 13 years as Executive Director of the Matthews Chamber and continues that passion today as she pursues her new career with the Allen Tate Co. With the many exemplary skills Tina possess she could have gone anywhere to sell real estate. In fact, some of the other locations offered an opportunity to sell multi-million dollar homes but Tina choose her passion, Tina choose Matthews.
Her many accomplishments:
Matthews Chamber Executive Director for over 13 years
Board of Directors for the Matthews Chamber for over 6 years 1991-1997,
Served as Secretary on the Executive Board and Chair of Events
Chair of ArtFest of Matthews since 1993–2016
Served as an Elder in the Matthews Presbyterian Church 1992-2000
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority Board of Directors and Visit Charlotte – 3 yrs,
Served on the Economic Committee
The Levine Senior Center – when it was built in 1997 for 4 years and 2014-2017,
Served as Secretary
The Matthews Visitors Advisory Council – 1992-1999
The Postal Advisory Council of Matthews 1993-1997
The Matthews Historical Foundation Board of Directors 3 years
The Town of Matthews Economic Development Advisory Committee – 4 years
The Red Brick Partnership Board of Directors - 3 years,
Organized the craft tents each month and special events
Matthews Human Services Council – 1992–1996, 2013–2017,
Served as Vice President
Helped build Habitat for Humanity Homes in Matthews
Rotary Club of Matthews receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award
Kiwanis Club of Charlotte – currently organizing the Terrific Kids Program Return to top of page
Karla Ennis 2018-2019 Recipient
The Matthews Human Services Council presented Karla Ennis with the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award at the June 2019 meeting of the Matthews Board of Commissioners. Karla is a community clinical nurse educator at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center in Matthews NC. Karla was nominated for the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award for her determination, character, hard work, and effectiveness in all her endeavors. She "connects the dots" for our community which encompasses but is not limited to the following organizations: Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care, Butler High School, COS Kids, Levine Senior Center, Matthews Free Medical Clinic, Matthews Help Center, Servants Heart, Matthews Chamber, Matthews Human Services Council, Plantation Estates, and Union County Chamber. Her skills are not limited to her work environment alone. She is willing to give of her time and energy for a cause she believes in, whether it is mentoring students at Butler High School or her personal relationship with seniors at the Levine Senior Center. Karla is an educator and advocate and also connects the Matthews community with a compassionate heart to make a remarkable experience with whatever she has in the works. She takes her role as Supervisor of Community Health and Wellness at Novant Medical Center, not only as a job but also also as "changing the community with a giving heart". Return to top of page
Sue Sproat 2019-2020 Recipient
The Matthews Human Services Council presented Sue Sproat with the Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award in December 2020. Sue joined COSKids as Executive Director in 2013. Since then she has led the ministry to elevate the quality of care provided, expand the number of clients served, significantly grow the donations received, and partnered with other local non-profits to better serve the community. During 2020, Sue dealt with new challenges at COSKids with damage from a tornado and the Coronavirus pandemic. While many childcare centers closed, COSKids chose to remain open providing loving childcare for their families and also for the children of essential workers, including health care workers and delivery workers. Under Sue’s leadership, the ministry partnered with other ministries and contributors to provide additional meals, cleaning supplies and meet other needs of their families who suffered the loss of jobs. Sue never loses sight of the staff that cares for these children. She constantly ensures that her staff has what they and their families need in this time of crisis. Additionally, Sue has served on the board of directors for the Matthews Chamber of Commerce & on the Board of the Matthews Human Services Council. Through her leadership and vision, COSKids has partnered with the Matthews Free Medical Clinic & the Matthews Help Center to form the Local Family Network. Sue is a leader in her church organizing many service projects to help others. Return to top of page
Natisha Rivera-Patrick 2020-21 Recipient
Natisha Rivera-Patrick is a widely respected nonprofit leader in the Matthews community. She has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has served as President & CEO of Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity for the last four years.
Her primary focus is on the affordable housing issues facing our community, and she is often sought to serve as a panelist or partner in housing-related matters. Through these partnerships, Natisha served on a committee to determine the affordable housing needs in Matthews. In response to the information obtained in the study, she implemented a Critical Home Repair program to address what is a glaring unmet need in our community. She also formed the Matthews Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), a network that works to find and create affordable housing solutions for the Town to implement, replicate, and scale. Also, MAHA works to dispel the misconceptions and miscommunications about what the term "affordable housing" means and who it serves. MAHA members are from varying backgrounds, and all have a vested interest in ensuring that everyone has access to housing.
In addition to her work with the Matthews Housing Alliance, Natisha also serves as the Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee for the Town of Matthews. As part of her leadership, she worked with the local BAPS temple to host a Diwali Celebration (2019) at Matthews Town Hall – a first for a Town Hall anywhere in our nation. In November 2020, Natisha led the charge to implement a 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. Natisha is the immediate Past-President of the Rotary Club of Matthews, where she led her club to receive the Rotary Citation with Platinum Distinction. Natisha also serves on the Habitat for Humanity International Policy Committee. She is a strong veteran supporter.
Natisha has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Matthews and prides herself on her community involvement and efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Return to top of page
Nate Huggins 2021-22 Recipient
Nate is the former CEO of Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care that he co-founded with his wife, Vivian, in 1998. lessed Assurance Adult Day Care is a non-profit organization serving Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus and York counties caring for senior and disabled adults and disabled veterans. Nate portrays a strong faith in God, a love for his family and his community and a calling to serve those who served others. His passion to serve seniors, disabled adults and veterans began as an idea to fill a gap in need in the Matthews community. He wanted a place that seniors felt loved, important, respected and valued while receiving the best possible care. Nate has been quoted as saying “There shouldn’t be a penalty for getting old. Our seniors should be celebrated as they have a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to be shared.” Former Mayor of Matthews, Lee Myers, recalls “In 1998 a young man met with me in the mayor’s office at Matthews Town Hall. He had a vision to provide support for our senior citizens. He asked nothing for himself. Nate Huggins has spent the last 24 years giving to our senior community. Matthews is a better place as a direct result of Nate. Nancy Glenn will smile when Nate receives the recognition he deserves.” Nate’s love of community is apparent as you will see him at various
events around town sharing his passion. Nate’s vision, his heart
and his drive to make things happen is his special gift to our
community! Return to top of page
Rob Hunter 2022-2023 Recipient
Rob Hunter has been a fixture in town as the Chief of Police, an amazing youth group leader at Matthews UMC among various other roles in the community which truly embodies community servant leadership. Whether it is crouching in crawl spaces on a mission trip, or taking a teenager to lunch to listen to whatever is on their mind, Rob does it all. At an event, Rob is often the first to arrive and the last to leave, making sure everyone gets home safely and all clean-up is taken care of. Rob not only serves the youth of Matthews UMC, but kids and youth involved in Key Clubs throughout Matthews. He has devoted his life to protecting, serving, and loving the town of Matthews and all its neighbors.
The Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual (or couple) who has given of his or her time and talents in making Matthews a better community through community service. The award is given in memory of Nancy Glenn who passed away in December 2006. Nancy was a hardworking dedicated individual who was known for her love of the Matthews community. She had served on the Matthews Human Services Council and worked with many other civic groups. She owned the Matthews News and Record for a number of years and had worked as Executive Director of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. The first Nancy Glenn Community Servant Award was presented to her family in 2007-2008. 
