As owners of the Carriage Cafe restaurant in Rainelle, Bob and Sharon Selbe have long been known for their giving spirit. When the couple retired, they took their generosity and love of good food to the next level, becoming essential volunteers at Wellspring of Greenbrier. On Thursday, June 13, Bob and Sharon Selbe will be honored for their dedication to service at the annual Governor’s Service Awards dinner at the Culture Center at the State Capitol.
Presented since 1995, the Governor’s Service Awards honors individuals and groups that exemplify outstanding dedication to volunteerism and community service in West Virginia. Bob and Sharon Selbe will receive their award in the Group Category.
In 2023, Bob and Sharon approached Wellspring of Greenbrier, a nonprofit organization in Rupert, with a desire to lend a helping hand. Recognizing the organization’s role in assisting low-income and unhoused individuals and families in Greenbrier County, the Selbes volunteered their time and expertise to support Wellspring’s food distribution program and building maintenance efforts.
Bob, a retired carpenter and contractor, and Sharon, an experienced restaurant owner and cook, quickly became integral members of the Wellspring team. Together, they have spent countless hours organizing food distribution and repairing the building. They cook two homemade meals every week for hundreds of people in their community. Some of the community’s favorite meals are the taco salad, chicken casserole, and of course, Sharon’s homemade rolls.
In addition to their volunteer work with Wellspring, Bob and Sharon regularly offer their services to neighbors in need, providing contracting services and homemade crafts free of charge. Their dedication to serving others knows no bounds, and their impact on the Greenbrier community is immeasurable.
The Governor’s Service Awards are administered by Volunteer West Virginia, the State’s Commission for National and Community Service. The event will take place on Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Culture Center in Charleston. A volunteer review committee reads and selects the recipients based on achievement, community needs, continuing involvement, creativity, and impact of service.
Other recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Service Awards include, by category:
- Youth: Isabelle Scarlet Smith-Pounds, Hedgesville
- Adult: Daniel Pan, Morgantown
- Senior: Kathy Easley, Bluefield
- Senior: Quenton “Q” Northcraft, Wheeling
- Group: Band of Brothers, Buckhannon
About Volunteer West Virginia:
Volunteer Virginia is the State’s Commission for National and Community Service. Volunteer West Virginia is an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History. The agency challenges West Virginians to strengthen their communities through service and volunteerism by identifying and mobilizing resources, promoting an ethic of service, and empowering communities to solve problems and improve the quality of life for individuals and families. Learn more at www.volunteer.wv.gov.
