CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Oct. 6, 2020 - Killingsworth Environmental is proud to announce the recipients of our 2020 Local Hero Award. Our three Local Hero winners are Aastha Arora, Nadine Ford, and Victor Montalvo.
Locals in the Charlotte area and surrounding communities nominated a great number of outstanding candidates for consideration. The nominators were asked to tell Killingsworth why they thought their nominee would be a good choice to receive the Local Hero Award. In the process of choosing a winner, Killingsworth's specifically looked for heroes that consistently went above and beyond to help others in their community.
The Local Hero Awards was the brainchild of Jens Peter Nielsen, president of Killingsworth Environmental. "Our employees are in the field every day working hard to serve our community. We created this award to recognize others who are also serving our community," said Nielsen. "It is wonderful to know that even in uncertain times, so many people are giving their time and effort to help others."
As well as the recognition of the Killingsworth team each winner receives a $1,000 prize they could donate or use to further their community efforts.
Below is the list of winners in alphabetical order.
Aastha Arora is a junior at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte. She started making mask bands for healthcare workers, called Ear Savers for Life Savers, after having a conversation with her father about the new rules in the hospital due to COVID-19. She learned healthcare workers wore masks for over 12 hours and the strap caused irritation, and sometimes pain. On social media she saw many healthcare workers with wounds on their faces from wearing the safety equipment. Aastha decided to do something to help the healthcare workers and contributes her time to make a difference.
Nadine Ford has organized community gardens in various Charlotte neighborhoods. When possible, shares of the gardens' produce are donated to Friendship Trays, who delivers meals to seniors and people with disabilities. In addition, Ford started a swim group called the "Mahogany Mermaids" that empowers older women to get active through swimming. The club that she now coaches has grown to over 40 members. She worked with the Stanly YMCA to form a second group, organized in Albemarle, specifically geared toward educating lower-income women about water safety and swimming.
Victor Montalvo is a public servant in Waxhaw NC. He is consistently fundraising, teaching, mentoring and helping children in the Waxhaw and extended community. Montalvo is involved in a variety of community outreach programs, including kicking off the annual Back 2 School Bash each August to provide school supplies, shoes and food to youth in Waxhaw and surrounding areas. Victor donated his prize to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Winners were notified on October 1, 2020.
Contact
Travis A. Baker
