A Holland couple’s granddaughter has been recognized for creating a program that provided free swimming lessons to more than 100 children in Raleigh, N.C.

Enoch and Jean Copeland’s granddaughter Brittany Copeland received the Outstanding Community Service Program of the Year.

The award was presented when the Office of Extension, Engagement, and Economic Development at North Carolina State University celebrated Engaged University on April 19.

Brittany, who has a double major in psychology and Africana studies, swam competitively for years.

“When she was a little girl, she would visit me, and the Y in Franklin would allow her to swim and practice there,” said Jean, who in 2004 retired as the guidance director at Southampton High School.

Brittany received permission from the Garner Road YMCA in Raleigh to create “Jump-In.” The free swimming lessons were held every Saturday in February, for which she recruited volunteer swim instructors.

The “Jump-In” program has been written into two grants and will be offered multiple times of the year.

Brittany was recognized again on April 21 during the 27th annual awards ceremony of the Association for the Concern of African American Graduate Students. Graduate and undergraduate students were recognized for academic achievements at the university. Students who maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average were honored at this ceremony.

Brittany is the daughter of E. Rick Copeland and Penny Copeland, both of Raleigh.

■ Patriot Walker Mark Klodzinski, 24, pitched his tent outside the Drewryville Volunteer Fire Department on Monday night while on his 4,500-mile journey across America for military veterans.

Mark stopped during firefighter training and shared stories of his walk, which began on March 16 in Ellicottville, N.Y. He also told firefighters about items donated by companies for his walk, including a laptop, solar-powered chargers, Adidas shoes and a Coleman tent.

Fire Chief Jonathan Whitby and his wife, Katie, made Mark a pancake breakfast the next morning before he headed for Boykins on his way to North Carolina. He plans to walk to California.

Mark walks 25 to 30 miles a day. He planned to arrive in Camp Lejeune on Saturday, May 1.

■ Dairy Queen on Armory Drive sold an average of 500 Blizzards a day last week when they were buy-one-get-the-second-for-25 cents, said assistant manager Rusty Bradshaw.

DQ did the nationwide promotion for the 25th birthday of the Blizzard.

At the Franklin Dairy Queen, three to four employees were on Blizzard duty and they were well-stocked on the goodies to keep up with the demand.