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Friends of the Verde River is thrilled to honor Dawn Charles with the Heron Award as Volunteer of the Year! Dawn’s dedication and energy are unmatched—she recorded 79 volunteer hours in 2024 (we know she did a lot more), the highest of any volunteer, while coordinating efforts for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival. Her leadership keeps volunteers and festival participants informed and organized, making the event a community highlight.
About Dawn Charles
Dawn Charles is a Customer Success Manager at CDW with over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, IT Operations, and Service Management. Throughout her career, she has contributed to large-scale construction-based cabling, network and wireless infrastructure projects, warehouse builds, IT strategy consulting, and business continuity and disaster recovery planning for organizations ranging from private companies to Fortune 500 firms.
Originally from Los Angeles, Dawn has long-standing ties to Arizona, spending her summers in Aravaipa Canyon near Safford and attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff from 1991 to 1995. She returned to Northern Arizona in 2020 and now resides in Cottonwood with her husband, Edward.
Since moving back, Dawn has embraced her commitment to community involvement. She is a dedicated volunteer for Friends of the Verde River, serving as Volunteer Coordinator for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival for the past three years and continuing to support the festival this year. She also contributes regularly to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events, community trash pick-ups, and lends her time to other local organizations including Jerome State Park, Dead Horse State Park, The Sisterhood Connection, and Keep Tempe Beautiful.
Outside of work and volunteer activities, Dawn enjoys exploring the outdoors, learning about birds (she’s an enthusiastic beginning birder), and spending quality time with friends and family. Her energy, leadership, and dedication make her an invaluable member of the Friends of the Verde River community.
Dawn’s commitment to community service and her passion for the Verde River make her an invaluable member of the Friends family. We are grateful for her dedication, leadership, and the countless ways she contributes to keeping the Verde River healthy and vibrant.
The Heron Awards
Each Heron Award is a beautiful, glass-blown work of art crafted by local artists at The Melting Point. These one-of-a-kind pieces symbolize our deep appreciation for those who help Friends of the Verde River protect and restore one of the Southwest’s last free-flowing rivers. They embody creativity, dedication, and the river’s enduring resilience.
We also take great pride in recognizing our partners and supporters during our annual gala, Fiesta de la Garza, where the community comes together to celebrate the people who make our work possible.
