EDEN, N.C. — In 2024, WFMY News 2 turns 75! It's our diamond anniversary! As we celebrate our diamond year, we want to take time to highlight diamonds in our community. We know there are people all over the Triad who make their communities shine! WFMY News 2 asked members of the public to nominate their diamonds and were overwhelmed with the amazing entries. But one stood out above the rest- Pearl Wilkerson of Eden.
THE NOMINATION
I met Pearl 36 years ago when she was a Food Service manager at Kmart in the Eden Mall. I remember her so well because my husband and I had relocated to Eden from Durham in 1987, the year that my daughter was born. My daughter is 36 years old now. Pearl was the first person to welcome me to Eden. She later invited me to her church, where I served along side of her for many years! She has been my friend, since the day we met! I found her to be a Rare Diamond in the Eden community then, and she still holds that title now! Ask anyone if they know Mrs. Pearl and I'm sure they have a story to tell about how she helped them, prayed for them, delivered food to them, took them to the grocery store, doctor appointment, etc! How one day, she left money in my mailbox for gas! How she was at the hospital with me when my son was born. (He is 31 years old today) She feeds the hungry, she delivers baskets of food to other elders in her community. She never makes a fuss about anything! She never stops giving! She tells me all the time, that if she can't give and help others, then that will be when she is no longer living! Ms. Pearl is truly a Diamond! Mrs. Pearl spent many years in the Rockingham County School system as a Teacher Assistant! She always wanted to talk about the children and how it made her feel being able to help them! She retired from Rockingham County School system years ago. She never misses out an opportunity to help out! -- DEBORAH LEAKE
ABOUT MS. PEARL
Pearl has been part the Eden community for decades! She says she doesn't do anything for recognition or praise. "I do it for the work of God because this is what we're here for. We're here to serve." She also said she helps because she's been in their shoes. "I've been homeless a little bit myself. I know what it feels like to be hungry and not to have." But she gives credit for identifying the people she helps and the way she helps to God. "The Lord gives me everything I need. If I don't know something, I go to him in prayer and ask him, 'what do I need to do for this day? Who can I help this day?' I always tell them you don't have to pay it back. This is from me and God."
When asked what she wants her legacy to be, Wilkerson said, "I want my legacy to be that she was kind and not judgmental." That legacy now also includes being a community diamond.
For winning the January Community Diamond, Wilkerson received:
-$100 gift certificate from Windsor Jewelers
-$75 Visa gift card
-Community Diamond recognition certificate
-Other diamond goodies!
NOMINATE A DIAMOND
You can nominate people in your community as a Community Diamond! Fill out the nomination form below and tell us about people who are making a difference in your community! WFMY News 2 will choose one winner a month to spotlight in an on air story. The monthly winner will also receive a gift certificate to Windsor Jewelers and a Visa Gift Card so they can reward themselves or continue doing good in their community.
At the end of the year, each of the monthly winners will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a larger item from Windsor Jewelers.