In a presentation in front of the employees and some volunteers of Religious Community Services (RCS), Executive Director, Zeb Hough, was presented with the NBCC Citizen of the Year Award on October 13, 2021. Past President, Norma Judd, praised Hough with the following:
“Zeb arrived at RCS in July of 2020. He has had over 17 years of nonprofit experience. In only one year, Zeb has managed to create wonderful new opportunities in Craven, Jones, and Pamlico counties for a program called Operation Outpost. In March, RCS began distributing prepared boxes of food to people in need in these rural county areas. Zeb reports the presence of RCS has been felt by over 1,000 families.
RCS continues Job Readiness Boot Camp, a program with Craven County Community College – basic computer skills for employment, career planning, resume and cover letter writing/educational goals, interviewing and dress for Success. There is also ‘ThreadEd,” which is a children’s clothing program of new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear, new socks, and toiletry/hygiene items.
RCS provides over 3500 meals a month plus 150 hours of case management referrals or services, The RCS warehouse goes through about one and a half tons of canned goods each week, The RCS Shelter provides home to families and our Veterans. The New Bern Community is blessed because Zeb decided to take the job in New Bern. He welcomes Marines from Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point and church groups plus volunteers who are such a blessing to serve at RCS.
If you have not viewed the tour of RCS on You Tube, please look it up. Mark Devanney does an excellent job of walking you through the 8000-foot campus.
Our Civitan Creed states, ‘My belief: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ Zeb lives this creed. It is the honor of the New Bern Civitan Club to recognize Zeb Hough as the Citizen of the Year 2020/2021 for his dedication to this belief. Congratulations, Zeb, and thank you for all you do!”
Norma and Jim Comer then presented Zeb with the plaque. Zeb thanked the Club for this honor but said he wanted to share it with all the employees and volunteers who continued to work daily throughout the pandemic to help others in the community. Zeb Hough – an exceptionally good choice for NBCC CITIZEN OF THE YEAR!
Pictured: Jim Comer, President New Bern Civitan Club; Zeb Hough, Executive Director RCS; Norma Judd, New Bern Civitan Club