Back to all newsHouse of Raeford Farms FLOCK announced the names of their FLOCK Cares honorees for May. “Whether it is in the workplace, our schools, emergency response teams, healthcare, or a variety of other settings, it is evident that our community has a wealth of unsung heroes who are doing great things for others,” said Tom Teachey, Director of FLOCK Outreach in Duplin County, NC. “House of Raeford is proud to recognize these individuals.”
Leroy Hooks (center with plaid shirt & cap) – Wallace Volunteer Fire Department, Wallace, NC
According to Fire Chief Chuck Farrior, Leroy deserves this prestigious award for a number of reasons not the least of which is his willingness to give selflessly of his time and energy to serve his community. “He is always the first to raise his hand and volunteer for special assignments no matter the job, time, or place,” said Farrior. “Leroy is always one of the members with the highest call response count and training hour count year after year.” Mr. Hooks truly goes above and beyond as a volunteer firefighter.
Michelle Shepard (4th from left) – Chinquapin Elementary School, Chinquapin, NC
“Michelle Shepard is the role model that we should all follow,” said Marketa Hargrove, principal. She has taught for 30 years, 19 of those at CES. She teaches 8th grade math and science. The ONLY reason she is here is that she wants to help her students learn. Michelle works when she is not here. She works when she is home. She works after school. She works before school. She is always available for her students to help them learn. In all the years she has been at this school, her mission has never faltered. Help the children learn. She comes to work every day with a mission to teach and that is what she does. The students love her and respect her so much. She loves them and sees them as individuals with various Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and academic needs and they know that she truly cares. She holds each one to high standards and helps them achieve those standards regardless of their individual challenges. Additionally, she consistently has some of the highest scores in the county for her tested subjects.
“I could go on and on,” said Hargrove, “but the core of why I am nominating her is because she is a model teacher that typically flies under the radar because her mission is not fame and fortune, but to meet the needs of each and every individual she encounters. And that she does.”
Raquel Mendez Zuniga (4th from left) – House of Raeford Wallace, NC Plant
Raquel has worked for the House of Raeford Wallace division since 2018. She plays a vital role as a shipping clerk/receptionist serving as liaison with the sales department, creates freezer orders, bills product, coordinates shipping with transportation companies, and carries out general clerical duties including attendance records and payroll assistance for shipping employees. “Raquel’s attendance is flawless and she has been a vital asset to the team since joining the company,” said Cowan Johnson, plant manager. “Her ability to improvise, adapt and overcome have helped ensure departmental success.”