First place winners in three categories received $1,000 each for their organizations, with $250 going to the second place winners.

In the adult division, John Lee Morrison of the West Rowan Fire Department, nominated by Coyt Karriker, won first place and Eddie Fulcher of Meals on Wheels of Rowan County, nominated by Daryl Bruner, won second. For groups, Godstock, nominated by Robin Perry, won first; East Rowan YMCA capital campaign committee for the East Rowan YMCA, nominated by Amanda Hesse, won second. For education, Carolyn Myers and Florence Peck of the Rowan Literacy Council, nominated by Phyllis Martin, won first; and Erwin Temple Tutoring Program at Woodleaf Elementary School, nominated by Linda Bailey, won second.

Jessica Skinner, nominated by David Cress, won first place in the youth division and received $500 for herself and $500 for South Rowan High School. Justin Lee Holt, nominated by Lisa C. Fisher, won second and received $250 for himself and $250 for China Grove Middle School.

Morrison, the firefighter, was nominated for the impression he has made on his community during 28 years with the West Rowan Volunteer Fire Department, 18 of them as chief. He added six pieces of new fire apparatus, started a medical responder program, instituted a district-wide funding source and worked with the Rowan County Rescue Squad to provide light rescue services.

John Bouk picked up the award for Godstock, which works to provide financial and spiritual support to families with critically ill children. Through fund-raisers it has helped parents pay for medical care for ill children as well as personal bills that stress them further — and has been there for them so parents have had time with each other, which many have called priceless.

Carolyn Myers and Florence Peck won first place in the education division for their combined volunteer services to the Rowan Literacy Council. Both tutor students in the regular adult program of the Literacy Council as well as at a local high school and, between the two of them, have totalled 65 hours of volunteer work a month for many years.

Jessica Skinner, a senior at South Rowan High School, was nominated for her active participation and involvement in the South Rowan Future Farmers of America, the English for Students of Other Languages program at China Grove Elementary School and numerous other groups.

About 250 people attended the event, which has been sponsored by JCPenney for more than a decade. Dale Rocha, manager of the local store, spoke on the meaning and history of the Golden Rule awards. Kent Bernhardt of WSTP presented awards and introduced the judges, including Joe DeForest of Federal-Mogul, Bill Gibson of Race It Communications, and Carl Klaiber of General Electric. Phillip Barton, vice president of public relations for the Rowan County United Way, coordinated the selection process.

Other nominees were: Amanda Wilson nominated by Allison Lenox, Amber Dickerson by Sue Dodd, Beth Page Tutoring Academy by Patricia Williams, Brooke Atwell by Jane Hartness, Carolyn Melchor by Sheryl Belk, China Grove Elementary School Student Council by Debbie Snyder, China Grove Middle School Student Government by Lisa C. Fisher, Dial Help Program volunteers by Linda Coplin;

Hope Dickinson by Sue Dodd; Jane Williams by Suzanne Carter Storch; Jill Lassiter by Carolyn Wilson; Kim Barnett by Dawn S. Fox; Knox PALS by Victoria Slusser;