Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy of Rodanthe was announced the 2012 Dare County Citizen of the Year on Saturday, June 4, at the annual Dare Day Festival in Manteo.

Mary Helen and her husband, Tom Murphy, moved to Dare County in 1986. After moving to Rodanthe, Mary Helen spent 10 years serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Chicamacomico Banks Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. In 1987, she worked to establish the Hotline Thrift Store on Hatteras Island, which helps raise funds for domestic violence selling gently used goods.

Mary Helen also volunteers her time as a statistician, traveling throughout northeastern North Carolina to support the Hatteras Island Hurricanes. She takes a genuine interest in the children of Hatteras Island and their well being.
 
She also started the Rodanthe Recycling Center, which received an award its second year of operation. She dedicates time each day to make sure everything is in proper order at the recycling center. She serves as the President of the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Civic Association and has helped organize many events including the July Fourth celebrations, Dr, Suess’ birthday party, and the only Halloween Parade on the Outer Banks.
 
Mary Helen oversaw the process and wrote the grant to have the Cape Hatteras National Seashore designated a National Byway in 2009. She continues to serve and is chairperson of the county’s Scenic Byway Committee. She also has worked to obtain grant funds to establish pathways on Hatteras Island.
 
In accepting the award, Mary Helen thanked the many volunteers with whom she has worked over the years. Mary Helen is smart, dedicated, hard-working, and committed to making Dare County a better place to live.

Congratulations to Mary Helen for being named the 2012 Dare County Citizen of the Year.