WINDSOR – Imagine working an average of 40 hours a week at the same job for 12 years. That’s 25,000 hours of work.

Sounds pretty normal, right?

But now imagine not getting paid for it – by choice. Now that’s something worth recognizing.

Martha Carter, President of the Hospital Auxillary for Bertie Memorial Hospital, has accomplished that feat.

The North Carolina Hospital Volunteers (NCHV) gave her the 25,000 Hour Volunteer award recently.

Fellow Auxillary member Joy Demofonte presented Carter the award on September 11 at the Auxillary’s first meeting of their new year.

It’s only fitting that she should receive the award on September 11, a day dedicated to American heroes and volunteers around the world.

&uot;We want you to be aware of how inspirational you are to other people,&uot; stated Jean Atwell, NCHV President, in a letter to Carter.

She continued, &uot;It takes special people with big hearts to be a volunteer and when that person gives more than 25,000 hours of his or her life to make a difference and give back to the community, then that person is a very special person.&uot;

The Auxillary only meets once a month, on the second Tuesday, but Carter does her work behind the scenes, coordinating and carrying out fundraising efforts for the hospital, among other things.

Carter, 40, lives in Windsor and has been the President of the Auxillary for the last 12 years.