City council recently recognized Shiloh Community Association President Sophie Dixon as Asheville’s volunteer of the year. At 81 years young, Ms. Dixon has proven to be a tireless community volunteer, leader, and mentor in the community.
“We count it an honor to nominate Ms. Sophie Dixon for her service to the Shiloh community,” said Shiloh resident Norma Baynes. “Under her leadership, the community at large has benefited from the Shiloh Community Association.”
The list is long of Ms. Dixon’s many service projects! Here are some initiatives that she helped guide:
- She recently enlisted Warren Wilson College’s Paul Bobbitt and WWC alumni to lead a workshop about building a living roof structure. Neighborhood residents and youths then created a living roof over a bench. This created a shady place for community members to rest and helps prevent bench erosion.
- A roadside stand was built at the Shiloh Community Garden in the fall of 2017. It affords the neighborhood with a small scale entrepreneurial opportunities.
- In 2016, the Community Garden Committee partnered with the Project Lighten Up Summer Day Camp to create a mural depicting the historic legacy of the Shiloh Community, which was placed outside of the Shiloh AME Zion Baptist Church.
Ms. Dixon has also, over the years, facilitated:
- 28 Shiloh Community Association administrative meetings;
- 11 Shiloh Community Association monthly meetings;
- 8 Shiloh Community Association executive board meetings;
- 16 EW Pearson Collaborative Project meetings; and
- 3 Community Marker meetings.
Also, in an intentional effort to build community between generational residents and new residents, she has been involved in welcoming Habitat for Humanity new homeowners into the community at their key ceremonies.
“Ms. Dixon is the perfect example of active retirement,” said Ms. Baynes. “She has shown us how you can make a large impact by simply offering your time and talents where you live, work, play and pray.”
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Sophie Dixon as Asheville’s Volunteer of the Year!
For more information on this award as well as how to register your neighborhood with the City of Asheville, visit the city’s Neighborhood Services webpage.
This is the third annual Volunteer of the Year award by the City of Asheville. A panel appointed by the Neighborhood Advisory Committee reviews and evaluates nominations and selects the recipient. In 2017, Mayor Esther Manheimer recognized Steve Mitchell of the Malvern Hills neighborhood as Asheville’s first Neighborhood Volunteer of the Year. In 2018, Renee’ White of the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood received the award.