Lexington Resident Named Colonial Life Volunteer of the Year

Tim Sox of Lexington was recently named the winner of Colonial Life & Accident Company's Volunteer of the Year award.

The award was presented this month at Colonial Life’s national headquarters in Columbia. It is given annually to a Columbia-based employee of Colonial Life or an affiliate of its parent company, Unum, who exhibits excellence in volunteer activities in the community, has a positive outlook about volunteerism, is an inspiration to his or her co-workers and whose activities have had a definite effect on the quality of life in the community. 

“Volunteering is all about action,” said Sox, director of enrollment systems for Colonial Life. “You have to take a step forward. Once you start and you realize the difference small actions can make, it’s easy and it makes a big difference in people’s lives — including your own. Find something you’re interested in and I’ll guarantee you there is a place that could use your energy.” 

Sox’s volunteer activities include:

• Serving as a mentor for troubled youth at the Carolina Boys Home
• Volunteering 60 hours a month as the Scoutmaster for Troop 340
• Playing Taps for military funerals as part of Bugles Across America
• Leading a United Way Day of Action team
• Serving on the Columbia campus United Way campaign core team
• Organizing volunteer activities for Aspire alumni
• Regularly donating blood to the American Red Cross
• Chairing the technology committee at St. David Lutheran Church

“Community service has always been an important part of our company’s culture,” said Kara Addy, assistant vice president, branding and communications at Colonial Life. “Our civic and charitable efforts are one way we live our mission to create lasting and valuable relationships in the places where we live and work.”

“Our core business is all about helping people, and a strong commitment to social responsibility is one of our core values,” Sox added. “The company’s advocacy of community service makes for a great work-life balance for our employees and motivates people to get involved.” 

Colonial Life donated $1,000 in Sox’s honor to his charity of choice, The Nancy K. Perry Shelter, an emergency shelter for children in Lexington. 

Colonial Life contributed $715,000 to charitable organizations in 2012, while employees donated nearly 10,500 hours of service to the community. 

Other nominees for the 2012 Volunteer of the Year award included Cathy Brooks, compliance contract consultant, law services; Donna Chavis, director, account services; Micca Ervin, business specialist, law services; Jeanna Moffett, manager, corporate communications; and Joe Roof, director, claims. 

Submitted by Colonial Life & Accident Company.