Volunteer Anne Stokley of the Cape Fear Literacy Council recently received the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service.

The award, presented May 11, recognizes 20 to 25 volunteers across North Carolina each year. Counties may submit one nomination annually. Stokley was selected as New Hanover County’s 2026 recipient, according to a news release.

“I am proud to recognize these outstanding volunteers whose service has strengthened communities across North Carolina,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement. “Their generosity and their commitment to helping others reflect the very best of our state, and I hope their example inspires more people to get involved and make a difference.”

Stokley has volunteered with Cape Fear Literacy Council since 2017, the release stated. During that time, she has served as a tutor, class instructor, board member and fundraiser.

She began as a tutor in the organization's Adult Literacy program. One of her students, Vincent, improved from a second-grade reading level to an eighth-grade reading level during their work together, according to the release. He now participates in the council’s Readers’ Theater program, which Stokley helped teach for three years, the release stated.

Stokley also served on the nonprofit’s board of directors, where she participated in communications and development committees and contributed to strategic planning efforts, according to the release.

She also helped launch the organization’s online bookstore initiative in 2019. According to the literacy council, the Amazon bookstore generated more than $30,000 in revenue for literacy programs in 2025. The operation is now managed by a volunteer group known as the Friends of Literacy, of which Stokley remains a member.

"Anyone and everyone can share their time and talents as a volunteer," Stokley said in the release. "Volunteering has been a part of my life since childhood. My father was a dedicated presence at Good Shepherd’s soup kitchen, and he was a master gardner at the Arboretum. My mother shared her musical talent broadly and volunteered at the polls. You have the power to help others."

The Cape Fear Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization that provides educational programs for adults. The organization offers literacy, English language and workforce readiness instruction.

Correction: This version changes the headline to correct the spelling of Stokley