unior Auxiliary of Abbeville announces Volunteer of the Year

Congratulations to Nealy Atkins for winning the Betty W. Robbins award at AEC for Volunteer of the Year
Many women have graced Junior Auxiliary of Abbeville with their talents, heart and drive for service throughout the years. Several have gone beyond the call of Chapter requirements and have shown a level of commitment that far exceeds the standard. One name stands out—Nealy Atkins. Nealy is a second year Associate Member who is the epitome of service, community and leadership.
Nealy received a Master’s degree in art education and currently works as a Visual Arts Teacher at a local high-risk elementary school. Nealy is an accomplished artist and potter who has a passion for creativity, is a lover of nature and holds the spirit of volunteerism dear.
While working as a remote Art Professor, Nealy felt a calling to interact with and serve her community. This is where her journey with Junior Auxiliary began. Throughout those first few months, a fire sparked, and she blazed forward with a renewed spirit of community and service. Nealy led her Provisional Class as Chairman of The Rummage Sale fundraiser. She routinely showed up to volunteer on different projects throughout that year landing Provisional of the Year award at the Chapter’s Awards Social.
Nealy continued her Active years with the same energy. She found a connection with the service project, Artfully Yours. Artfully Yours provided arts and crafts to children of Abbeville’s Boys and Girls Club. Her heart of service spanned across the Chapter and community, whether creating flyers for the Thanksgiving service project, Holiday Harvest, to showing up and giving her ‘woman-power’ for a community Clean-up Day picking up trash in the city. She never ceased in helping others and proved that by joining another women’s-based organization to expand her service to the community. Nealy asserted herself as teacher, encourager and, above all else, leader to children served as well as her peers within Junior Auxiliary. This cultivation of character led to her election as Chapter President for the 2018-19 year. During her reign, she actively served on projects lending her skills without hesitation. The following year, Nealy became Artfully Yours Chairman, revamping the long-standing service project to meet the ever-evolving needs of those served.
As Associate member, Nealy continues to chair Artfully Yours bringing creativity and innovation to kids who do not get exposure to high-quality arts/crafts. She cultivates their imagination and nurtures dreams that follow.
Nealy has been instrumental in the redesign of the Chapter’s website, most recently lending her time to establish online ticket sales for JA’s Charity Mardi Gras Ball.
Being an artist and potter, she designed the crest used for the Ball and graciously donates her wares for auction. Pottery was also specially made and donated to the NAJA Foundation in honor of the organization that has given her so much over the years.
The Chapter’s Encore award is presented to the Associate/Life member who continues to set the example of service by actively participating and growing the Chapter through dedication and leadership. During the 2021-22 Awards Social, Nealy Atkins received the Encore...with a standing ovation.