OKDHS Recognizes State Volunteers - Stigler, OK Resident Jean Peck Receives Donna Nigh Award

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The 30th Annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony, “A Symphony of Service,” honored a number of Oklahomans for their outstanding contributions. OKDHS Interim Director Preston Doerflinger presented opening remarks, and the event was hosted by OKDHS Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Harrison and Communications Coordinator Sheree Powell.

“I am very proud to be a part of some great things going on at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services,” Doerflinger said. “It is an honor to be here and I want to personally thank each of you for your time and for your service.”

Stigler resident Jean Peck received the prestigious “Donna Nigh Award for Public Service.”  Named for Oklahoma’s former First Lady, the award is given to an individual whose work has dramatically improved the quality of life for Oklahomans in need.

Peck is a retired English professor from Tulsa Public Schools. She also worked for a number of years at Tulsa’s St. John’s Hospital where she focused on mental health issues for children and adolescents.

For the past six years, Peck has worked with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and has donated more than 823 hours of service to her community. She has also donated in-kind mileage totaling $977 to her volunteer work. 

Peck works with the Tamaha Senior Citizens, helping prepare and deliver meals to the homebound. She serves on the Cemetery Committee for Tamaha, contributes to the Haskell County Historical Society and the VFW auxiliary, and helps coordinate the monthly newsletters for each organization.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony including volunteers, their family and friends and several state legislators.

“I have the best job at OKDHS,” said Karen Jacobs, Coordinator of the OKDHS Office of Volunteerism. “I work with and recognize individuals and organizations who have given so generously to their neighbors and to their state. They certainly do not do it for any glory or recognition, but simply because they have a gentle and caring nature. These individuals truly represent the best of what makes Oklahoma so special.”

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