Holy Angels awards those making a lasting impact with Legacy of Love award

Staff reports
·2 min read

Holy Angels’ leadership presented N.C. Sen. Kathy Harrington and Regina Moody with its Legacy of Love awards – honors that annually recognize persons or groups who have made a last impact on the organization and the differently able that it serves.

The award recipients were announced 9 at the annual Grazie Mille Starlight Gala.

Holy Angels’ leadership presented N.C. Sen. Kathy Harrington, right, and Regina Moody with its Legacy of Love awards – honors that annually recognize persons or groups who have made a last impact on the organization and the differently able that it serves.
Holy Angels’ leadership presented N.C. Sen. Kathy Harrington, right, and Regina Moody with its Legacy of Love awards – honors that annually recognize persons or groups who have made a last impact on the organization and the differently able that it serves.

Honoring a servant leader

“Saying Kathy is a servant leader is an understatement,” said Holy Angels President Regina Moody. “She embodies a leader who earnestly listens and humbly strives to serve others. She leads by example lifting people up to reach common goals together. Her values are ones of faith, family, respect, hard work and helping others.”

Harrington, who did not seek a seventh term in 2022, was the state’s first female elected as majority leader in the North Carolina Senate.

"In her role, she has offered a voice to the voiceless, opened doors and created opportunities to effectively serve her constituents, including our residents at Holy Angels," Moody said.

She is a devoted advocate for Holy Angels, helping to secure much-needed state funding to fulfill our mission of supporting the differently able.

“Kathy is not just a strong voice for Holy Angels, but she is a friend,” continued Moody. “Kathy, and her devoted husband, former N.C. Rep. Michael Harrington, support our residents through their time, talents and treasure. Kathy exemplifies servant leadership, and we wish her all the best in her retirement from politics.”

Legacy of leadership

Moody offered her kind words at the gala in support of Harrington without knowing that she, too, would receive the same recognition moments later. For her 40-plus years of dedication and service to the differently able of Holy Angels – marked by immense growth, compassionate care and decades of dignified servitude – Moody is a recipient of our Legacy of Love award.

“Regina’s leadership, joy, faith and devotion will be forever remembered with heartfelt gratitude by those who she worked alongside, aided across 40 years of service and encountered through her many community commitments,” said Holy Angels CEO Kerri Massey. “Regina has truly shared a lifetime with Holy Angels: a lifetime with a ripple effect across the lives of countless others. It’s an effect that will last many lifetimes. Her influence is forever cemented into the history of Holy Angels.”

Under her direction, Holy Angels became a national example for innovative leadership in establishing workforce opportunities for the differently able. She has worked tirelessly to reduce the stigma associated with people with disabilities and create dignity and respect for each and every one of God’s children.

Holy Angels was founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Mercy. The private, nonprofit corporation located in Belmont, NC, provides residential services and innovative programs for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities with delicate medical conditions.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Holy Angels gives Legacy of Love award to two who made lasting impact