Donna McLaney has been honored by the Troy Exchange Club with the 2015 Book of Golden Deeds Award.

In presenting the award, Dr. Ed Merkel, chair of the club’s awards committee, thanked McLaney for her service to the Troy Exchange Club and for her volunteer service to other clubs and organizations throughout the community.

“Volunteer efforts are very important to our society and should not go unnoticed,” Merkel said. “The National Exchange Club’s longest running project, the Book of Golden Deeds Award, recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live. Ever since the Exchange Club of Huntington, Ind. sponsored the first award in 1919, thousands of unsung heroes and heroines have been recognized.”

McLaney said she was humbled by the award and also very honored.

“For me, community service has its own rewards,” she said. “I volunteer because I love people and I enjoy being of service to others. It’s what I can do for my community.”

McLaney said she never expected such an honor as the Book of Golden Deeds Award.

“I’m sure most all volunteers do what they do without any expectations of awards or recognition,” she said. “I never expected anything like this but I am so appreciative. I hope that I can live up to what this award represents. I will try my best.”

McLaney has held several leadership positions with the Troy Exchange Club, including serving as the club’s president. She has been a volunteer with the Pike County Salvation Army for nine years. She is a social service assistant with Salvation Army and is the coordinator of the annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign. She also is a coordinator of the Salvation Army’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser.

McLaney is a nine-year volunteer at Troy Regional Medical Center as a “pink lady.” She volunteers with Sav-A-Life and assists with the annual Low Country Boil fundraiser. She volunteers with the Pike County Heart Association and has volunteered at the Colley Senior Complex. She is a past member of the Troy Pilot Club.

McLaney is a member of the Brundidge Historical Society and a member of the cast of the historical group’s folklife play, “Come Home, It’s Suppertime.”