Two Salisburians were honored last month at the annual Elizabeth Duncan Koontz (EDK) Humanitarian Awards Program held at the Salisbury Civic Center. Honorees Kenneth L. (Kenny) Hardin and Jose Dos Santos were selected from a field of five residents and organizations nominated this year for their dedication to the community.
Kenny Hardin is a Salisbury native who is the Founder and Executive Board Chairman of the nonprofit organization, the High Road, Inc., which offers free nonlegal advocacy and mediation services to marginalized populations. He also founded the Veterans Social Center, which is a therapeutic, recreational and museum facility that offers free services to Veterans with mental health challenges.
Dos Santos is a native of Brazil who moved to Salisbury in 1995. Chef Santos, as he’s commonly known, goes above and beyond to help those in need by providing meals for grieving families and bringing food to the elderly and those who may be housebound or living with a disability. In addition, Chef Santos uplifts people by hiring those who are underserved or have been previously incarcerated. As described in his nomination, Santos “loves all members of this community and is a friend to all people no matter what.”
The award is named in memory of Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Duncan Koontz who was one of the organizers who re-established the Human Relations Council in 1985. The Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council, now referred to as the Salisbury Human Relations Commission (HRC), sponsors this event annually to recognize community members and/or organizations who have made important contributions to improving local human relations.