Holly Neal from Cumberland County was honored over the weekend with the Governor’s Volunteer Star Award.

As executive director of the United Fund, Holly has raised funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations in Cumberland County since 2001. Under her guidance, the United Fund has improved the process for funding agencies and has developed more funding events and strategic programs to meet the needs of the partnering agencies.

Holly was a member of the American Cancer Society Board and was recognized as one of their Top 10 Cancer Fighters. She also served as the chairperson for Special Olympics and was the first chairperson for Relay for Life in Crossville in 1998. She volunteered and raised funds at South Cumberland Elementary School when her children were students. In 2014, she reentered the elementary school ranks, volunteering in kindergarten and 4^th grade classrooms. Holly has provided leadership in the United Methodist Church for 30 years, working with youth and teaching adults Bible studies. She began leadership with the District and Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2001 and will complete an 8-year term as the Tennessee Conference Lay Leaders later this year.

(pictures courtesy of Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster)