Junior Achievement honors volunteer

Todd Cohen | July 2, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Over 300 volunteers for Junior Achievement of Central North Carolina each year teach one class, on average, in a school in Alamance, Guilford, Randolph or Rockingham counties.

In the school year that is just ending, American Express employee Tony Chavis taught six classes at Northwest Middle School in Guilford County, contributing an average of two hours a week over18 weeks.

Recognizing his contribution, Junior Achievement has named Chavis its 2008 Volunteer of the Year.

"One of the most important things you can give is your time," says Cyndy Hayworth, president of Junior Achievement. "He has a full-time job with American Express and still is cognizant enough to give back to the community in a big way."

Chavis, a lead business systems analyst for American Express who has volunteered in the classroom for Junior Achievement for three years, taught students "Economics for Success," explaining the difference between gross and net pay, noting that net pay must cover personal expenses, and examining ways to set up a personal budget.

"Making a difference in the communities where we work and live" is a core value at American Express, which encourages employees to volunteer by providing flexible work hours for them Chavis says.

Chavis also has participated in "Junior Achievement Awareness Day," helping to recruit over 30 volunteers in a single day, and has been a long-time participant in Junior Achievement's Annual Greensboro Bowl-A-Thon.

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