Railey Conner

HOLT, Fla., Aug. 28, 2019—Holt resident Railey Conner is the recipient of the American Health Care Association Young Adult Volunteer of the Year for 2019.

She will be honored at an awards ceremony in Orlando Oct. 16.

Conner, 18, was one of six honorees from across the country to be recognized in different categories and the only teen.

“This is an exciting honor,” said Angie Holland, Conner’s mother. “Nominations come in from all over the country and she was selected over all others.”

Conner was recognized for her selflessness and compassion and her endless hours bringing joy to the elderly in nursing homes around Okaloosa County.

Started as a birthday project when she was 11 years old, Conner donated all her birthday presents to people like her grandmother and other elderly in nursing homes.

Since then, her thoughtfulness has grown into an annual Christmas project, Railey’s Annual Birthday Project/Remembering Our Elderly in Nursing Homes.

Through her project, Railey’s brought some sunshine to the older residents there.

Each year, the AHCA recognize men and women who selflessly care for individuals in long-term and post-acute care centers and intellectual and developmental disabilities residences for more than a year and have made a positive contribution to residents and care center staff.

Conner graduated from Baker School this year and is majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of West Florida.

Stephanie Holcombe