A local resident was recognized at this year’s Washington Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, receiving an award for Community Leader of the Year.

F. Ray Moore, a long-time resident of Beaufort County, was given the award based on his continued service and volunteerism to the community over the years, said Catherine Glover, director of the Chamber. At the banquet, Glover gave a speech prior to announcing Moore’s award, citing several examples of his service and volunteerism, including “being a member of the Optimist Club for 30 years and a volunteer, serving as president of Washington Noon Rotary and was the Rotarian of the Year for 2010-2011, and during his tenure, was part of the Sri Lanka limb project and helped to build a Mexican library. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Chamber, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, the First Call Crisis Intervention Nonprofit, Eagle’s Wings, Beaufort County United Way, Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children, Marion L. Shephard Cancer Center Capital Campaign Committee, Vidant Foundation Member and a steering committee member for the NC Convenience Store Association.”

According to Moore’s resume, he is also a licensed minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ and has organized or led nine foreign mission trips. Moore has also been recognized for his 40 years of service in his industry and in 1992, received the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award, among other business-related accolades and achievements.

“You just look at every single thing he’s done and how much of his time, how much of his presence and leadership on these boards and you just have to recognize how much he’s done for so many different organizations,” Glover said. “He’s active not only in his church, but many nonprofits and he’s active in his industry. Someone like that has got to be recognized for what they’ve done.”

Also in her speech, Glover said “He tried to excuse himself from being nominated, but the board wouldn’t allow it because he is deserving (of this award). I, personally, admire and appreciate leaders that are humble enough even though their qualifications show something different. Our Community Leader of the Year is one awesome inspiring leader and our community has benefitted greatly because of all he has contributed.

Moore said his volunteerism in the community would not be possible if not for his team at F. Ray Moore companies. Though not retired, Moore has transitioned to a different level of volunteerism, he said. However, his primary focus has always been on youth, schools and churches

“When I was young, my father made a comment that there was only one paid fireman in town — the fire chief,” Moore said. “Everyone else is a volunteer. If you didn’t have volunteers, you wouldn’t have a fire department. That same thought carries forward in everything in Beaufort County. It’s been a privilege and honor to work, live and raise a family in Beaufort County.”

In a tier 1 county, there are a lot of other challenges that Beaufort County has to face that other counties do not, Moore said. Being economically underprivileged, volunteers and other community-involved individuals are essential to the future of the community and many area organizations. Moore also cited the Young Professionals group and how those who participate are the future of the county.

“If you didn’t have volunteerism in a small county, there wouldn’t be a lot of these organizations in Beaufort County,” Moore said. “(The Young Professionals) will have a major impact on the future of Beaufort County. If we can be an inspiration to get those to come forward and volunteer, then we can be assured of a wonderful Beaufort County going forward.”