GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Among other things, one developed an online system to help veterans navigate online systems to manage their healthcare benefits and communicate with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Another worked with the Orange Park Rotary Club Sunrise to raise more than $100,000 to support charitable causes through Tennis for Cancer for the American Cancer Society, Rotary Club grants for Villages of Hope to furnish new mini-homes in Melrose, Waste Not Want Not, Orange Park High athletics, Oakleaf High band equipment, Boy Scouts of Northeast Florida, Flags for Heroes and an orphanage in Costa Rica. 

And a third is planning to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. Before that, she helped create a nonprofit that fosters animals for military families. 

All three were recognized during the Touch-A-Truck: Saluting Those Who Serve event Saturday, April 25, at the Clay County Fairgrounds as the Clay County Veteran, Volunteer and Youth Volunteer of the Year. Members of the Board of County Commissioners invited the community for nominations, then the BCC created a panel to select the winners. They also honored several residents for distinguished service during the past year. 

Retired U.S. Army Major Jessica Polvikoski was the 2025 Clay County Veteran of the Year, presented by VyStar, while Jenielle Holderfield was the Volunteer of the Year and Amaia Arteta was the Youth Volunteer of the Year. 

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Flint, retired U.S. Army Spec. Kristle Helmuth, Brian Knight and Mary Medford received Distinguished Service awards for their continued impactful service to county veterans, residents and organizations. 

Polvikoski said her work was motivated by the needs of her fellow soldiers. 

“No one does this work alone,” she said. “I served in the Army for 32 years. After retirement, I knew my service was not over, and that's what led me to continue serving veterans and families here in Clay County. 

“Through Clay Veterans Inc. and the Veterans Center, with our partners at the Veterans Council, we’ve learned that many Veterans simply need connection, guidance and a place where they feel understood. Sometimes helping starts with listening, hearing and showing up.” 

She said she wants to share the award with other veterans who are just as committed to continuing the fight after their service is complete. 

“This belongs to every volunteer, every partner, organization, every caregiver, and every veteran who continues to serve others,” Polvikoski said. “My hope is that Clay County remains a community where Veterans are valued, supported and never forgotten.” 

Holderfield said she stayed busy for one reason: “I just like to volunteer.” 

She said her mother was also a volunteer, saying serving others became part of her family’s lifestyle. 

“I know that everybody has something in their hearts that tells them they have their own talents, too, where maybe you can help with this, or this, or this,” Holderfield said. “Everybody has their own talents and their own heart of helping in their own way.” 

Not only is Arteta the president of the 4-H Military Club, but she is also atop her class with a 4.9 weighted GPA. She started a nonprofit with her sister and mother to help veterans, their families and military working dogs. 

“I just want to thank you for keeping me in mind as well. I also want to thank my mother, because she was the one who motivated me,” Arteta said. “If it wasn't for my mother, I would not have started this nonprofit organization. 

“I just want to thank Clay County, as well, for helping me out and supporting me in this. I started my non-profit in Clay County. But other than that, I just want to say thank you to everybody. Clay County is a great community. I do plan to go into the Air Force and serve, but I want to continue serving not only my country, but my community.”