Barbara Manous of Canton can't afford to slow down with the full calendar of activities she schedules for herself.

The fundraising campaign coordinator for Reinhardt University is also a longtime community volunteer.

Her service includes being a board member for the Cherokee Arts Center and volunteer for its arts festival conducted in May. She is a member of the Cherokee County Historical Society and Rotary Club of Woodstock, and volunteers with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and her church, Canton First United Methodist.

Her efforts have earned her the recognition of Volunteer of the Month presented by Families of Cherokee United in Service.

"I think it is very important to give back. This is where I live. This is where my children went to school," said Ms. Manous, who has three children and nine grandchildren. "It is extremely important to give back to whatever community in which you live."

An honorary member of the Service League of Cherokee County, she is also past chairwoman of Keep Cherokee Clean and Beautiful and a past member of the Canton Variance Board and alternate member of the Cherokee County Board of Equalization.

Ms. Manous said supporting all the causes she cares about can be difficult, but she makes the time to do it.

"I'm very well organized and detail-oriented," she said.

She said she likes being busy and giving herself challenges and goals to meet.

"I feel like I have certain skills that maybe everyone doesn't have, and I am glad to use those in any way," she said. "As a Christian, I think what you should do is help those who cannot help themselves."

Dianne Langston, executive director of the Cherokee Arts Center, said Ms. Manous is an "incredible choice" for Volunteer of the Month.

"She takes on tasks willingly and always has a smile on her face. I wish I had 20 just like her," she said, adding she's amazed at how Ms. Manous takes on so many activities and still completes each of them "flawlessly."

Ms. Manous said volunteering with the arts center is vital.

"Art is what gives beauty to our lives," she said. "It is very important to any community to have an arts program."