Joey Holmes was recently recognized as a "Community Hero" by the 2001 Year of the Child Campaign committee. Joey has worked over a dozen years as a counselor and outdoor activities instructor at the Piedmont Wilderness Institute, a residential program for juvenile offenders. Visitors to South Carolina Reptiles and Amphibians know Joey from his interesting field notes which he regularly contributes to the website.

A front-page photo and accompanying story about Joey and the honor he received was published in The Laurens County Advertiser Extra on Sunday, November 18, 2001. Libby C. Rhodes, Staff Writer, and The Laurens County Advertiser have graciously granted permission for SCRA to post the photo and article below.