Effingham County’s Jean Vaught received the volunteer of the year award from the Georgia Emergency Management Association, in recognition of her volunteer work with the Effingham County Emergency Management Agency.

Vaught was vital in the overall implementation and success of the warming station that was opened in Effingham County during the winter ice storms.

Edwin Myrick, the director of Effingham Emergency Management, presented the award to Vaught in front of her church family at Gateway Community Church in Rincon.

In addition to volunteering with Effingham Emergency Management, Vaught is a volunteer with Back Pack Buddies, which helps feed local children, and is a dedicated volunteer for the Family Promise program of Effingham.

After receiving the award, Vaught was headed to help feed the homeless population as she does every Sunday.