The Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community on Tuesday held the first of what organizers hope will become an annual recognition of friends and volunteers at Suffolk Christian Church.

“We are long overdue in recognizing their value to the community,” said Caroline Martin, chair of the organization’s board of directors. “They’re our unsung heroes. They make it happen.”

Martin said the organization, which started in 1998, held a volunteer recognition a few years ago, but it did not include awards and recognition by category.

Martin said the estimated value of the volunteers’ time almost matches the actual dollars available to the partnership for its operations.

“You are what allows us to live our mission,” Martin said.

Executive Director Robbie Laughton, whose last day with the partnership was Tuesday, said the partnership values its volunteers as much as it does its small paid staff.

“We do not look at volunteers as free labor,” he said. “It was volunteers that built Noah’s ark, but it was paid professionals that built the Titanic — and we all know how that turned out.”

Many nominations were received for the awards, Martin said. Awards were given in six categories.

Sandra Sullivan was honored for volunteering with a Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community Program. She volunteers for several programs, in fact, including its smoking cessation program and with 5Ks and other events.

Carol Warren was honored as a volunteer with a Healthy People Healthy Suffolk work group. She is a community garden coordinator.

Rex Cotten was honored as a support volunteer. A retired Virginia Tech Extension agent, Cotten has helped institute “sound organic gardening principles” into the community gardens program, said Bobbie Chapman, the executive assistant and now interim executive director.

Mary Ellen Matthews was honored as a volunteer on a board committee. She has spearheaded the Whaleyville community garden and been a consultant for preschool gardens.

“Thank you to the organization for allowing me to share my passion,” she said.

The “business friend” award went to Johnson’s Gardens, which Laughton said is always happy to donate plants and equipment for the community gardens as well as door prizes for various events. Owner Tim Johnson also serves on the garden committee.

Finally, the “citizen friend” was Sam Glasscock, who serves on the steering committee of Healthy People Healthy Suffolk.

The event also included a send-off for Laughton, who is taking a position at the Suffolk Family YMCA and still will be involved in promoting wellness in Suffolk. The search is on to replace him, Martin said.