Judge Finan honored for work with children
By John Joyce
Published in News on May 11, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/JOHN JOYCE
District Court Judge Tim Finan accepts the Champions for Children Award from Guardian ad Litem program director Colleen Kosinski.
jjoyce@newsargus.com
District Court Judge Timothy Finan serves Lenoir, Greene and Wayne County, but it is his commitment to serving children that is being celebrated.
The N.C. Guardian ad Litem Judicial District 8 and 3A presented the first-ever 2014 Champions for Children award to Finan Tuesday at a Goldsboro Rotary Club luncheon at Lane Tree Golf Club.
He did not expect the honor.
"It was a total surprise, very kind and thoughtful," Finan said.
Guardians ad Litem are volunteers who give their time and support to child victims of abuse or neglect.
Finan served more than 20 years as the advocate attorney for the program. He has continued to work with Guardian ad Litem since his appointment to the bench in 2007.
He said his commitment to the children is what keeps him involved.
"What has kept me in it is the absolute personal and professional feeling that I was making a difference in getting the children into loving, stable and permanent homes," he said.
Guardian ad Litem director for Wayne, Lenoir and Pitt County Colleen Kosinski said Finan has been a friend and asset to the program for as long as she can remember.
"This award was created for somebody who has gone above and beyond for our children in the community," Ms. Kosinski said.
She said it was only fitting that Finan be its first recipient, but that it took much more effort to present him with the honor.
She said she struck out the first time because of conflicting schedules, and then the judge got sick.
"I'm was so glad when he showed up," she said.
She had been holding her breath, she said.