CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ethel Morris of Natchez was one of six Belk associates to have been named winners of the 2010 Belk Award of Excellence.

Each received a $500 cash prize and the Award of Excellence trophy at a recent luncheon hosted by the Belk family and top management in Charlotte, N.C.

The annual award is the highest honor given to Belk associates for outstanding community service.

In addition to the cash prize and trophy, Belk donated $500 to each winner’s charity of choice in his or her community.

The 2010 Award of Excellence winners, were selected by a panel of associates from a 122 nominees

Morris is one of the founders of Family Fun Day at Morgantown Elementary, Belk’s local Partner in Education school. Each year, she organizes volunteers and gathers donations of food, money, gift cards and other prizes so that thousands of students, parents and community members can interact with the school in a positive way.

She also leads the way in our store in promoting Education Appreciation Days and the Charity Sales.

During Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Rita, Morris served food and helped with other duties at the American Red Cross emergency shelter and has been involved in Relay for Life for the past five years.

When a Belk co-worker lost her house to fire last year, Morris rallied the associates in her store to help out — and they assisted the family with food, clothing and shelter.

Morris is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church.